To the Saints of Northwoods,

For those who desire to attend worship in person, it is a joy to share that we will begin holding regular worship services in our sanctuary this Sunday, 31 May, at 0845 and l100!  We will also continue our live streaming of the services 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, as we renew our face-to-face worship services in the sanctuary, 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, nor will we host children's church; 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 for us to adopt to maintain a safe environment for those who are willing and desire to return to worshipping in the sanctuary. 

Thanks for your understanding and support of these recommendations.

We are excited for the opportunity to once again worship in our sanctuary and online through the live streaming of our services!

Shelia Barth, Council of Ministry Chair

Northwoods United Methodist Church

Model for Renewing Face-to-Face Community and Worship

Worship:

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

We will resume face-to-face worship during phase 2. The number of people allowed in a large group gathering is to be determined based upon our county and state guidance. When we resume face-to-face worship, we will encourage those who attend to consider the following guidance:  

We will only gather back in the largest spaces on our campus:  our Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall.

We will utilize gloved and masked door greeters to be in charge of opening and closing doors.

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

We will try to allow for ample space between worshippers, encouraging four to six people per row, with a few empty seats and rows between participants, to allow a healthy pattern of separation between families. We will utilize our fellowship hall to accommodate for 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 and during Phase 2 there will be no children’s church.

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

During phase 2 we will not have the Offertory. We will ask people to drop their tithe in the offering plate, located in the foyer, as they depart and encourage on-line giving.  Tammy, our financial secretary, will oversee the security of the offering.

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:

We recommend against offering Vacation Bible School this summer.  While the risk to children is somewhat lower, there is an ongoing risk of them carrying the virus back home and sharing it with other family members. Whether or not they are symptomatic, someone who is infected can spread the virus.

Similarly, we will not encourage Sunday school to meet this summer.  If any adult class desires to meet we highly encourage them to practice social distancing and minimize any personal contact.

Pastoral Care:

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

Church Business:

Our church office will continue to remain open. We will 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 consider meeting in person in our fellowship hall while wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.
 

General Building:

For the safety of all involved, we will not permit the utilization of our church facilities during Phase 2.

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, rather than rising to meet an emergency/crisis.

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

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