Dear Beloved Members of Westside,
We are writing with an update as we find a path forward during the current surge in COVID cases. As the delta variant causes more illness, including breakthrough cases for vaccinated people, including several congregants, we are paying attention to recommendations from health professionals and considering how to balance the risks and rewards of in-person worship and gatherings.
Right now, even masked indoor gatherings pose a significant risk of contracting or spreading COVID. Although it has only been a few weeks since we announced that in-person worship would resume following our In-gathering celebration, conditions have changed, and we regret to announce that in-person worship will not take place in September. We will be working with the COVID Task Force, our staff, and others in the congregation to make informed decisions for October and beyond.
We do plan to move forward with hosting our Ingathering Celebration on September 11 at 5pm. This event will take place entirely outdoors and we believe it can be held safely. Please bring and wear your mask and plan to honor social distancing and other safety guidelines. It will be great to gather with many of you. We are grateful to Viv Monahan and Alice Britt for their leadership in planning this event for us.
We are also pleased to share that the large party tent owned by the church has been erected in the parking lot, which will allow for small group, masked and distanced gatherings in the open air in the coming months. Our thanks to the folks who helped to make that happen on Saturday morning. Stay tuned for more information about events being held in this new space and perhaps in other outdoor settings as well. If you have ideas you'd like to share for possible outdoor gatherings please send those to Rev. Christopher.
As we share this news with you, our hearts are heavy knowing how many of us are yearning to return to our sanctuary and to regular in-person worship. We feel a great deal of grief ourselves and we know others are suffering and feeling isolated. Please continue to join us in virtual worship, sign-up for the outdoor in-person gatherings as they're announced, and reach out to Rev. Christopher and our pastoral care associates if you need support.
We hold you in our love,
Kristina, Marco, Laura, Jim and Laura
WSUU Board of Trustees
