Dear First Parish Community,
On this Valentine weekend, we write with good news for this community we love. When announcing a pause in early January amidst the surging number of COVID-19 cases and the highly infectious nature of Omicron, we projected a six-week hiatus. The Re-Entry Team has been reviewing Covid statistics weekly in the context of the protocols the Team developed in the fall to help guide their recommendations to the Parish Committee. The data indicate that we are on track to return to in-person services and limited activities on February 15. Infection rates are dropping dramatically, as is the positive test rate. We are moving from a “Severe” risk level to “Very High” on our color-coded protocol chart.
This means that we can return to multiplatform services. (Online services will still be available for those who prefer to participate at home.) The building will once again be open for Sunday services and limited activities. We’ll be observing the safety protocols that previously guided us for this risk level. SEEK will be held in the Vestry. Masks will be required; we respectfully request that you wear an N-95, a KN-95 or two surgical masks. (Omicron is still out there!) We expect that attendees will be vaccinated. The Sanctuary will be configured to allow for six-feet of social distancing. The cushion placement will be arranged to guide you on social distancing in the pews. Service participants will be asked to either test, remain masked when speaking or singing, or to speak unmasked from another room within the building. The windows will be open a bit for ventilation, so do dress accordingly. We’ll be warmed by fellowship!
The Re-Entry Team will continue to meet weekly and will keep the Parish Committee up to date as conditions continue to improve. (Fingers crossed.). We look forward to a time in the not-too-distant future when the statistics tell us it’s safe to downshift to more relaxed levels of precautions.
It’s been a long journey together, but this community has worked hard to stay connected through adversity and to continue caring for one another as well as the wider world around us. May you be buoyed, as we are, by the prospect of springtime, the season of rebirth.
In service,
Rev. Stephanie May
Deb Stubeda and Annie Stubbs, Co-chairs, Parish Committee
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