Council Meeting
Council will meet in a hybrid meeting -- both onsite and via Zoom -- your choice. Facemasks and physical distancing will be the protocol, as we're all getting used to. I will send the Zoom link on Tuesday, so check your email then.
Parking Lot
The parking lot was sealed this week, and assuming that the striping will be done soon also so will be ready for Sunday. Thanks to Lenny for all the coordinating he's been doing in getting things set up with the contractor. A nice, new looking, freshly striped parking lot makes a good first impression.
VBS Under Construction
Heather has been spearheading our virtual VBS this summer, and looks like there will be plenty of fun for kids to experience remotely. Various leaders are meeting this week to create content videos, and Cindy will be doing her usual very cool music, except by uploaded videos this time. Participant packets will be put together so kids will have everything they need for the videos, which will go live at 6:30 pm, beginning July 26, and continuing through July 30. You can find more info including a link to an online registration form HERE. Thanks Heather for your leadership on this!
St. John's Preschool Update
I asked Linda to provide a brief preschool update, and I'm reproducing below her summary
St. John's Preschool board and staff are actively working on new policies and procedures to provide a safe environment for our preschoolers, families, and staff. Our plan is to reopen on September 9 with smaller class sizes and changes in our classroom structure and routine. There will be an emphasis on cleaning, disinfecting, handwashing, and health checks.
We will have 8 children with one lead teacher and one classroom assistant in each of our three classrooms. Children will attend two or three half-days per week with a total of 10 classes in our program. Each classroom will use one specific restroom. The only shared space will be the playground with a staggered schedule and sanitizing in between classes. One of the changes in our routine will be adults dropping off and picking up children outdoors. As we follow current guidelines, adults and staff will be wearing masks. Sharon Hill, our Christian Education Representative on the preschool board, has made clear masks for all of our teachers so the children can see our facial expressions and have clearer communication. Children will not be wearing masks.
Our preschool board is currently reviewing the proposed budget for the school year. There will be a $10/month increase in tuition because of the smaller group sizes. Thank you for your prayers and support as we do our best to reopen safely and share God's love with these precious children.
Health issues for Linda's (and Liana's) mom Karen continue - she is currently taking a break from her treatments. Keep her and all her family in your prayers.
Wednesday Zoom
Wendesday Night Live! did our usual meeting. After touching base, we completed the review of the ELCA Social Statement "Race, Ethnicity and Culture." We'll be moving on to something else next week
Michael Osterholm Podcast
Dr. Michael Osterholm offers his latest wisdom on Covid-19 in his podcast, "The Osterholm Update: Covid-19," which you can access here. In the July 16 episode, Dr. Osterholm and host Chris discuss considerations for reopening schools in the Fall, the concept of superspreaders and their role in the transmission of COVID-19, and recent statements regarding vaccines and masks. You can listen to that episode here. As always, Dr. Osterholm stresses patience, understanding, flexibility, masks, and responding to the science and not political pressure.
Conference Pastors Zoomed on Thursday
Eastern Conference pastors met Thursday on Zoom, mostly to touch base as to how things are going in our respective congregations. St. Peter Norwalk and St. John's Bellevue are currently the only congregations in the Eastern Conference that are holding in-person indoor worship. Pastor Ann said she was gettin 12-15 at their service, and then they do a full online service at 10:30 for the WLKR broadcast which has been happening for the last 60 years. Most other congregations moving beyond an online service are keeping it outdoors, either in chairs on the grass, or a parking lot service broadcase through a low-power FM transmitter to individual car radios. Pastor Jody Rice at Grace in Fremont announced at the meeting that she is planning retirement at the end of November, primarily because of health issues. She has provided excellent leadership at Grace and in Lift, and will be greatly missed.
Fundraiser for Brooke
Dana Beier is raising money through Gofundme to buy a new bicycle/wheelchair combination for Brook, who has outgrown her current equipment. She's about 70% to her goal. You can view more info about Brook, Dana, and their hopes for this fundaiser HERE. Let's help them get over the top!
NA finds space
The NA group that has used our space for their Sunday night meetings has found another place to meet until it's safe to return to our building. They came this week to pick up their, I was going to say paraphernalia, but I'll just say their meeting "stuff."
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