{"id":6313,"date":"2020-03-13T21:56:20","date_gmt":"2020-03-13T21:56:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/?p=6313"},"modified":"2022-07-05T17:38:24","modified_gmt":"2022-07-05T17:38:24","slug":"hamline-church-and-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/hamline-church-and-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Hamline Church and COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Summer 2022 Update<\/em><\/p>\n<p><b>Covid Protocol Change<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Hamline Church COVID Response Team continues to work with the Church Council to monitor current conditions. The Response Team will re-evaluate conditions at the August 23 Church Council meeting.\u00a0 Until then, Hamline Church will:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suspend indoor coffee hour, move coffee hour and other church-related events with food outside.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recommend masks (high quality) for groups of 6 or more meeting indoors. Open windows for ventilation, if possible, consider meeting outdoors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continue policies of adult masking in the presence of children, and masking of children as age appropriate.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>03.24.2022 Update<br \/>\nCOVID-19 Mask Policy Update &#8211; Effective 4\/1<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Dear Hamline Church,<\/p>\n<p>On Tuesday, March 22, the Church Council met and reviewed our current COVID-19 protocols.\u00a0After consulting with medical professionals, and reviewing CDC and MDH guidelines, the Church Council decided to change our current COVID-19 protocols to \u201cMasks welcome, but not required\u201d effective April 1.<\/p>\n<p>We understand this is a big shift, however over the past month we have seen a significant decrease in coronavirus infection rates over a sustained period of time. We have reached a positive test infection rate of 2.7% in Ramsey County, 76% of eligible residents are fully vaccinated, and the updated CDC guidance labels Ramsey County as \u201clow risk.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While we know that reporting is not perfect, the CDC risk assessments takes into account data including infection rates and hospitalizations and beds available. With our current low infection rate and high vaccination rate (both in our county and especially high among our church members!), along with the CDC guidance, we felt comfortable making a change to our current practices.<\/p>\n<p>We will watch the CDC risk level assessment weekly and if Ramsey County returns to a \u201cmedium\u201d risk level, we will return to masks required in the building.<\/p>\n<p>We also know that this may feel uncomfortable for some. We hope to create an environment that is respectful and safe, while following current medical guidance and allowing for individual choice. If someone is masked, consider allowing for more physical distance when choosing a pew or when engaged in conversation out of respect for one another\u2019s comfort levels.<\/p>\n<p>Please continue to wear masks this Sunday, March 27 to allow us time to get the word out and make necessary adjustments.<\/p>\n<p>Starting April 1:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>We welcome people to wear masks, but masks are not required. We hope that we will each respect one another other\u2019s comfort levels.<\/li>\n<li>We expect all eligible members of our community to be vaccinated.<\/li>\n<li>Anyone who is sick is asked to please stay home and join in worship online.<\/li>\n<li>We will continue to ask all staff, volunteers and children (as they are able), to mask in the Frolic room\/nursery since our youngest community members are not able to be vaccinated. Children\u2019s ministry staff and volunteers will also be masked during Sacred Studio and other indoor events with children under 5.<\/li>\n<li>We will be watching weekly and may decide with very short notice to return to masking in the building.<\/li>\n<li>Singing in worship is allowed &#8211; masks welcome but not required. We will still not be physically \u201cpassing the peace\u201d or the offering plates.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>I continue to give thanks for the incredible, grace-filled response of the Hamline Church community over the past two years as we have navigated the covid pandemic and necessary safety protocols.\u00a0 Your care, concern and love for one another and our neighbors has been evidence throughout these trying times. I am so grateful to be a part of this community and continue to hold you and our evolving situation in my prayers.<\/p>\n<p>Blessings and love,<br \/>\nPastor Mariah<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>01.28.2022 Update<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Sunday, February 6 we will resume offering both in person and online worship in accordance with our Covid safety precautions:<br \/>\n<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: inherit;\">Vaccinations required for all who are eligible, masks required and N95 masks strongly recommended, stay home if you\u2019re sick, wash hands or sanitize frequently, practice physical distancing in the sanctuary, no eating inside, and singing with masks only.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Small groups and programming are allowed to resume meeting in person at the discretion of the group leader.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Children\u2019s Sunday morning spiritual formation will continue online<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for children ages 2 through 6th grade from 9:15-9:40 online, then join us for worship in-person or online at 10am.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Childcare will be available during in-person worship for children 5 and under.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Free Masks! <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">N95 or KN95 masks have proven to be the most effective mask to wear in preventing the spread of Covid. We highly recommend that everyone wear a N95 or KN95 mask while in the church building. The Hamline Church Council is making free masks available for our community and building users. Stop by the church office on Sunday mornings to pick up a mask. Children\u2019s sizes will also be available. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you would like a mask to be sent to you &#8211; please contact Maureen Freberg (mfreberg@hamlinechurch.org) in the church office.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>01.10.2022 Update<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Dear Hamline Church,<\/p>\n<p>Due to the current COVID surge, we will move worship and programming online for the rest of January upon the <a href=\"https:\/\/hamlinechurch.us4.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=9c942327f599cfbd5a83ae112&amp;id=2e829fac15&amp;e=a847b7697a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">recommendation<\/a>\u00a0of our Bishop David Bard and the Minnesota Annual Conference.<\/p>\n<p>Sunday School\/Sacred Studio, Confirmation, youth activities, small groups and classes, large meetings, and Chancel Choir,\u00a0will move online or be paused through January.\u00a0\u00a0We will creatively find ways to remain connected and continue in ministry. The leader(s) of your programs\/groups will be in contact in coming days with logistical information.<\/p>\n<p>For now, the church office and building will remain open as usual.\u00a0\u00a0If you need to contact the church office, we encourage you to call or email, if possible, to help limit in-person traffic or please keep your visit or drop-off short. Masks are always required in the building. We ask that any in-person meetings be limited to 5 people.<\/p>\n<p>Our Hamline Church leadership is watching the situation closely and will keep the congregation apprised of any changes to our protocol through email and social media.<br \/>\nAt the Church Council meeting on January 25th, we will determine next steps for February.<\/p>\n<p>I know that this is not where any of us wanted to be at this point. I am hopeful that this will be a short-term situation, as it is expected that the surge should peak this month.\u00a0I continue to remain grateful that our Hamline Church community is committed to the health and safety of our church and our neighbors.\u00a0Thank you for your patience and understanding.<\/p>\n<p>These words from Bishop Bard offer us assurance for these difficult times and are a reminder of why\u00a0we are called to make these hard decisions, \u201cFriends, I continue to believe that by God\u2019s grace we can muster the resilience, the kindness, and the determination to do what needs to be done to navigate this pandemic. As followers of Jesus, we can and should lead in promoting public health, furthering the common good, and caring for the well-being of others. When we act out of love for neighbor and care for our community, we offer a powerful witness to the grace of God in Jesus Christ. We allow the light of epiphany to shine more brightly in our world.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Grace and Peace,<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gallery.mailchimp.com\/9c942327f599cfbd5a83ae112\/images\/4df16966-3feb-4d88-a562-fe29bf142798.png\" width=\"400\" height=\"70\" data-file-id=\"2748661\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Rev Mariah Furness Tollgaard<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em><strong><br \/>\nDecember 2021 Update<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-9285\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/mask-signs-300x232.png\" alt=\"Masks required in building at Hamline Church\" width=\"450\" height=\"348\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/mask-signs-300x232.png 300w, https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/mask-signs-768x593.png 768w, https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/mask-signs.png 792w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><b>Worship continues in person at Hamline Church 10am on Sundays and online at 10am\u00a0<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">and<\/span><b>\u00a0on demand at <\/b><a style=\"font-weight: bold;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/worship\/live-stream\/\">hamlinechurch.org\/live-stream<\/a><b>.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><strong>Thank you for observing the following COVID precautions:<\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: inherit;\">Vaccinations required for all who are eligible, masks required, stay home if you\u2019re sick, wash hands or sanitize frequently, practice physical distancing in the sanctuary, no eating inside, and singing with masks only.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Covid Protocol Update:<\/strong> Congregational Singing at Hamline Church<br \/>\nBecause Hamline Church United Methodist has a highly vaccinated population, Ramsey County\u2019s vaccination rate is now above 70 percent, and masks have been proven effective in preventing the spread and transmission of Covid 19 even when singing, you are invited to sing the congregational service music and hymns with your masks on.<\/p>\n<p>Please continue to observe Hamline Church\u2019s Covid Safety Protocols including: vaccines required for all eligible, wear a mask properly, stay home when sick, please space yourself and your group from others, wash hands frequently.<\/p>\n<p>This decision is based on guidance from the MN Department of Health, \u201cRecommendations for Music and Activities and Performances During Covid 19\u201d &#8211; June 30,2021 \u201cWhen conducting activities that involve risk of COVID-19 transmission, such as congregational signing, faith-based settings with mixed populations of vaccinated and unvaccinated people should recommend that attendees wear face coverings. At minimum, these settings should create an environment that supports those who want to wear a face covering. This is especially important when some attendees have weaker immune systems or are at high risk of infection and severe disease.\u201d<br \/>\nWe have also been following guidance from professional music organizations about safety and best practices.<\/p>\n<p>Additional information:<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.colorado.edu\/today\/2021\/08\/27\/simple-safety-measures-reduce-musical-covid-19-transmission\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em>Simple safety measures reduce musical COVID-19 transmission -CU Boulder\u00a0<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong>COVID Re-Gathering Plan Update<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><em><strong>Summer 2021 Update<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>In person, outdoor worship Summer 2021<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Hamline Church Council anticipates a gradual return to in person worship this summer. Outdoor worship will begin on the front lawn on Sundays at 10am starting June 20.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The worship service will continue to be live-streamed as usual to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/live-stream\">hamlinechurch.org\/live-stream<\/a> as well as on Facebook and YouTube.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Hamline Church Summer Reopening Plans<\/strong><br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wAF0BMXlU50\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Summer_reopening2021.pdf\">Download a PDF of the Summer Reopening plans<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>What to expect from outdoor worship<br \/>\n<\/strong>COVID precautions will be followed including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Masks optional outside, masks required indoors<\/li>\n<li>Physical distancing<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Hand sanitizing stations will be provided<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>No coffee or food will be served \u2013 though you may bring your own beverage.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Bring your own lawn chair or blanket<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>The building will be open to allow access to restrooms<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>What about the weather?<br \/>\n<\/strong>In case of inclement weather \u2013 people should stay home and worship leaders will live stream from the Sanctuary without a congregation. An announcement will be made by 8:00am and sent out to the congregation in email and published on social media in the case of needing to have online worship only.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Can I Help?<br \/>\n<\/strong>Yes! We will only be able to have in person worship if we have sufficient volunteers. We need volunteers to help with greeting, worship set-up and take down, running sound and technology, readers during worship, musicians and more. If you can help \u2013 please contact: Mo (mfreberg@hamlinechurch.org) or Heather (hgrantham@hamlinechurch.org).<\/p>\n<p><em>Radical Hospitality Team<\/em><br \/>\nSet up, Take down, Greeting folks as they arrive, Directing traffic, COVID Safety Awareness<\/p>\n<p><em>Tech Crew<\/em><br \/>\nWe\u2019re looking for volunteers interested in learning to run our sound and\/or video equipment for worship services, funerals, and other events. Whether it\u2019s just for this summer or becoming a regular part of our team, we\u2019d love to have you join us. Contact Walker (wbrault@hamlinechurch.org) for more information or to sign up.<\/p>\n<p><em>Online Connectors<\/em><br \/>\nGreet folks as they start worshiping on Facebook and YouTube; Ask for prayer concerns to pass along to Care Team; Host Zoom Coffee 1\/2 hour<\/p>\n<p><em>SPROUT Garden Gurus<\/em><br \/>\nEscort kids from front lawn to SPROUT Garden; Read kids a story and\/or help with garden tasks from Amy Schultz and Kathy Evenson-Mcdermott; Deliver garden produce to Hamline Midway Elders occasionally<\/p>\n<p><strong>What do we need from you?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Wear a face mask<\/li>\n<li>Stay home if you are sick or exposed<\/li>\n<li>Practice physical distancing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em><strong>November 2020 Update<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Re-entry-Guidelines-Hamline-Church-2020.pdf\">Re-entry Guidelines 2020<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Re-entry-FAQ.pdf\">Re-entry FAQ<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Re-entry-Resources.pdf\">Re-entry Resources<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a style=\"font-size: inherit;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Rental-Addendum.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">COVID safety measures for outside groups<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Summer 2022 Update Covid Protocol Change The Hamline Church COVID Response Team continues to work with the Church Council to monitor current conditions. The Response Team will re-evaluate conditions at the August 23 Church Council meeting.\u00a0 Until then, Hamline Church will: Suspend indoor coffee hour, move coffee hour and other church-related events with food outside. Recommend masks (high quality) for groups of 6 or more meeting indoors. Open windows for ventilation, if possible, consider meeting outdoors. Continue policies of adult masking in the presence of children, and masking of children as age appropriate. 03.24.2022 Update COVID-19 Mask Policy Update &#8211;&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6313","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-announcements"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6313","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6313"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6313\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9813,"href":"https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6313\/revisions\/9813"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6313"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6313"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hamlinechurch.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}