In October, Grace resumed indoor worship. As always, we plan with respect for the spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being of all in the Grace community and with respect for current expert counsel. Plans will be adapted as needed, but we also encourage each of you to assess your own comfort level with worshipping together and to make wise plans.
- The services will about 40-45 minutes and the 10:30 am services will be live streamed for those not able or ready to attend in person.
- All will be masked at all times in the building except that worship leaders may unmask when speaking if sufficient physical distance can be maintained.
- Pews will be marked as closed to facilitate physical distancing between individuals/families/groups. With distancing at 4 feet, we estimate a total capacity of about 75 people on the main floor and in the balcony.
- Sanctuary ventilation will be set to maximize air exchange.
- Please arrive 10-20 minutes early, as able, to avoid crowding in the narthex, aisles, and stairs as worshipers are being seated. Similarly, to manage flow at the end of worship, we will be invited to leave by rows or small groups.
- If the sanctuary has reached capacity, additional worshippers will be invited to consider using the fellowship hall, with awareness that air exchange there will be significantly less than in the sanctuary.
- We discourage use of the nursery. It will not have an attendant, and the air exchange is reduced, as in fellowship hall.
- During these weeks, we will limit congregational singing (generally singing the sending hymn together, with soloists for the other hymns).
- Holy Communion is offered in place – worshipers pick up individual kits before entering the sanctuary (gluten-free wafer/grape juice & wheat bread/wine are the kit options available).
- Visiting outside, well-spaced, is encouraged before and after the service.
- Any worshipper who subsequently develops Covid is asked to contact Cheryl Lanigan, our community health nurse. This information will be shared via our email lists, honoring privacy. Cheryl: nurse@graceattheu.org or 952-607-9820.
- Anyone who is experiencing symptoms is asked to worship via the livestream.
- All are, of course, strongly encouraged to be vaccinated and to get boosters if and when recommended.
UPDATE: STARTING ON CHRISTMAS EVE, the congregation will be invited to sing hymns throughout the liturgy (as opposed to just the sending hymn). The singing will be allowed for all people wearing either a KN95 mask or N95 mask. Many of you already use these specific kinds of masks regularly or have access to them. We encourage you to bring your own when you are able. Grace will provide these masks to those who do not have one.
