The Re-Opening Task Force finally has some good news to impart! The Omicron variant of Covid-19 is on its way out in Massachusetts and much of the rest of the country, including most of the Northeast. The number of new cases and hospitalizations are declining, and so is the percentage of molecular tests which are positive. There is even a suggestion that deaths are decreasing (https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting). Wastewater levels of Covid-19, an early warning signal, began declining earlier in January and are close to baseline at this point (https://www.mwra.com/biobot/biobotdata.htm). The Task Force reviewed this information this week and is making the following recommendations regarding church activities in the coming weeks.
Here are the specifics:
Sunday Worship Services: As of, Sunday, 2/6, in-person worship services in the Sanctuary will resume. The congregation and the worship leaders including clergy, readers, organist, soloists, and choir, will be distanced and masked. The clergy and readers (only) will un-mask when speaking. We will have Communion, and the blessing and installation of officers will be done with the latter standing in their pews and the clergy in the chancel. The services will be live-streamed, and available on-line for later viewing, as well. In place of Community Hour, members of the congregation, clergy, and staff are encouraged to chat with friends after the service in the Sanctuary, while remaining masked and respecting the fact that some people will wish to remain distanced.
Sunday School: There will be no in-person Church School on 2/6, but children are certainly welcome to attend the service. Church School will resume on 2/13. The Nursery will be available for under 2-year-olds. Pre-K,
Kindergarten, and unvaccinated children are invited to start in Wallace Chapel at 10.00 a.m. Alternatively, children are invited to start in Worship in the Sanctuary then go to Church School after the Message for all Ages. Each family is encouraged to decide what's best for themselves. But Church School welcomes you, where ever you are!
Youth Groups and Confirmation: These small group meetings will continue to meet in-person with masking and distancing.
Groups: Gatherings of ten or fewer people may continue to meet with masking and 6’ distancing. Gatherings of more than 10 people may be held, with masking and distancing, in any of the following large spaces: Sanctuary, Wallace Chapel, Assembly Room, Board Room, Reception Room. These guidelines also apply to outside groups who use our spaces including the New World Chorale, the Food Pantry, and Alcoholics Anonymous.
Church Offices: Staff will resume working on site with masking in the presence of others.
The Re-Opening Task Force will continue to review the public health data and modify our practices as needed. We need to stay on course as we resume on-site worship and ministry!
Meanwhile, we encourage everyone who is eligible to get their vaccinations and boosters, and please, to wear a mask when you are with people, especially indoors, who are not part of your Covid ‘circle’.
