To the Saints of Northwoods,

For those who desire to attend worship in person, it is a joy to share that we are worshipping in our sanctuary every Sunday at 8:45 am (Contemporary Service) and 11:00am (Traditional Service). We will also continue our live streaming of worship services (available via Facebook or the Church App) for those who desire to remain at home.

For those who will attend, PLEASE READ the approved guidelines by our Council of Ministry that are attached to this message. To establish a safe environment, we strongly encourage you to embrace the guidelines. 

We are encouraging the wearing of masks and in addition, asking that families sitting in our long rows, please leave a couple of seats open between them. While the wearing of masks is not mandated, we highly encourage their use. Seating will also be available in our fellowship hall with the live stream of the worship service should additional space be required.

To support a safe environment for all who do desire to worship in the sanctuary, we will minimize personal contact with each other by implementing the following changes:  a. we will not be practicing the sharing of the peace as we have done in the past; b. we will not be having the offertory; if you are not using electronic giving, there will be an offering plate available in the foyer following the service; c. we will not use bulletins or hymnals during worship; the liturgy, hymns and praise songs will be shared electronically on the screens; d. while continuing the children's story during worship, we will not be inviting children to the front of the sanctuary; e. we will not be offering a fellowship/coffee hour prior to the services and f. lastly, we will not be hosting a receiving line after each worship service.

During these challenging times, all the above are encouraged to maintain a safe environment for those who worship in the sanctuary. 

Thank you for your understanding and support of these recommendations.

Shelia Barth, Council of Ministry Chair

Northwoods United Methodist Church

Model for Face-to-Face Community and Worship

Worship:

We will continue offering online worship services as there are some who are at high risk or others who feel it is not yet safe for them to return even with precautions put in place.

For those who attend worship services we encourage you to consider the following guidance:  

We will gather in the largest spaces on our campus, primarily our Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall.

We will encourage worshippers to wear masks, but it will not be mandatory. 

We will try to allow for ample space between worshippers and use our fellowship hall to accommodate overflow. 

All our liturgy, hymns, and praise songs will be done electronically and shared on the screen during our worship services. There will be no utilization of the hymnals.  There will be no bulletin.

We will not invite children to come forward for our children’s story.

For Holy Communion we will be offering individual communion cups given out by communion servers wearing gloves and masks.  

We will not have the traditional Offertory. We ask that you consider on-line giving or you can drop your tithe in the offering plate, located in the foyer, as you depart the worship service. Another option, is mailing your tithe (checks only, please), if online giving and/or the offering plate are not preferable.  

We will not pass the peace.

We will not be offering a fellowship/coffee hour.

We will not engage in a receiving line after worship.

We will continue to offer livestream/worship recordings for those who cannot or choose not yet return to worship.

Sunday School, Small Groups and Faith Formation:

Most Sunday School classes and children's church are back in session with appropriate precautions in place.   

Pastoral Care:

Pastoral Care continues to be offered through phone calls, online gatherings, letters, etc.  Some one-on-one gatherings may occur while maintaining social distance.  Nursing homes and hospitals continue to have restrictions for visitation in place. 

Church Business:

Our church office is open, Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. We encourage all visitors to practice safe distancing and wear masks while visiting the church secretary, financial secretary, and pastor.

Church councils and other leadership teams of less than 25 will meet in person in our fellowship hall while wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.
 

General Building Practices:

We will endeavor to maintain a good stock of tissue, soap, hand sanitizer and disposable paper towels for drying hands.

We will continue the cleaning of our buildings regularly, paying extra attention to high-touch surfaces and restrooms.

Encouragements for Pastors and Church Staff:

Pastors, staff, and leaders must realize we are in this for the long haul.

Pastors, staff, and leaders must model healthy boundaries (regular times to unplug, regular days off, etc.)

Pastors, staff, and leaders must tend to their own mental, emotional, and spiritual needs.