July 15, 2020
Dear friends in Christ—grace and peace to you in Jesus’ name.

Our last time to worship together in person was Sunday, March 15—exactly 4 months ago.

Since the end of May, we have had a group of people meeting to look at data and recommendations from...
  • the Centers for Disease Control;
  • the Minnesota Department of Health;
  • our churchwide body (the ELCA);
  • Bishop Tom Aitken, our Northeastern Minnesota Synod and its attorney;
  • our insurance agency; and
  • the polices and procedures that other congregations have been working on to address mission and ministry in a Covid-19 world.
Our reentry team has included members from our church council, our pastors, as well as at-large members.

Our goal has been to figure out (a) how to return to using our building as one of our primary tools for the mission and ministry God has given us; and (b) how to do that with the care, safety, and well-being of our members at the heart of what we do, especially those potentially most vulnerable to the virus.

At last night’s church council meeting, (Monday, July 14) a proposed plan was put forth from the reentry team and approved...
  • for the reentry of our office (which has actually been reopened in a limited capacity since the middle of June);
  • for welcoming back small groups;
  • and most especially for a tentative return to in-person worship. As of right now, that tentative date is Sunday, August 9.    

Please note: that “tentative” date is based on a number of factors, some of which is not in our direct control, including what virus numbers continue to do, but also includes having in the place the care and safety practices we can control like wearing masks, physical distancing, and cleaning/sanitizing.

Presently, we are collecting poll information from our congregation's members regarding their comfort and security in returning to in-person worship. 

Please know that we will continue to livestream and record worship, as well.

Thank you for your prayers and support during these most extraordinary times.
In Christ,
Pastors Mike & Kari    
Bob Minks, Council President    
​Kenny Neumann, Worship Committee Chair      
06.09.2020_office_reentry_plan.pdf
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MAIN FEATURES OF OUR OFFICE RE-ENTRY PLAN: 
06.30.2020_small_group_reentry_plan.pdf
File Size: 206 kb
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MAIN FEATURES OF OUR SMALL GROUP RE-ENTRY PLAN: 
07.13.2020_worship_reentry_plan.pdf
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MAIN FEATURES OF OUR IN-PERSON WORSHIP RE-ENTRY PLAN: 
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