We are back in our sanctuary!

The Reopening Taskforce

Deacon Doug Hood
Deacon Marilyn Flood
Dr. Shannon McNamara
Elder Nathan Stilwell
Rev. Julia Turner
Patrick Willingham
Glenda Winson

03/29/22

While it is clear that many of us are beyond done with this pandemic, the recent rise in BA.2 among fully vaccinated and boostered individuals is proof that this pandemic is not done with us. As a church, our responsibility is to care for those with the least among us; this includes those who are immune compromise or have limited vaccine efficacy, people in chemotherapy or with organ transplants, and of course, children. After extensive conversation, we have concluded that, for the moment, the following protocols will stand:

Proof of vaccination (boosters recommended) is required for all persons gathering in the sanctuary;
Masks are required for all persons at all times with the exception of a single worship leader while speaking/singing from a socially distanced position on the chancel;
Children:
- Over 5 are able to be fully vaccinated. With proof of vaccination and masks at all times, these children are welcome in all spaces;
- Between 2 and 5 are not yet able to be vaccinated. These young ones are welcome in the back of the sanctuary provided they are masked at all times;
- Under 2 are not yet able to be vaccinated or masked. Our littlest ones are welcome in the rear of the sanctuary, closest to the open doors and additional air filters.

We are able to advance in one key area. Given masks and vaccination, we are excited to return to some congregational singing. Last Sunday, we re-introduced the masked singing of a hymn. In the coming weeks, we will also return to a choral and clergy procession at the start and end of the service.

We share these continued protocols realizing both that the city has dropped vaccination and mask requirements AND that this has caused a doubling of COVID-19 cases in the past week. As we head toward Holy Week and Easter, we must remain vigilant in our preparations and our precautions. Thank you for your understanding.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to any of us or to either of the pastors.

Sincerely,
The Reopening Taskforce

12/20/21

Dear Friends,

I write with a health and safety update for those of you who will be joining us in the sanctuary for worship on Christmas Eve. I very much look forward to seeing you in person, and wish to remind you of the following:

Proof of vaccination will be required for entry. Even if you’ve showed this many times before, we ask that you show it again now.
Medical grade masks covering both mouth and nose are required at all times. Cloth masks are no longer acceptable. The staff will be double masked; I encourage you to consider the same. If you do not have a medical mask, we will provide one for you.
Bulletins will be placed in the pews to signify socially distanced seating. The ushers will help you find your seat upon entry. Please remain in your seat throughout worship and do not move around the sanctuary to socialize during the prelude. There will be time for fellowship outside following the service.
Unfortunately, children under the age of 5 will not be permitted in the sanctuary. Vaccinated children ages 5+ are welcome in the sanctuary following the same protocols as above.
All doors will be open to help maximize airflow. Please dress warmly.

For all of you who choose to worship with us on Christmas Eve safely at home, I commend you and wish to assure you that we are continuing to do all that we can to make sure worship is dynamic and fully participatory whether you’re in person at the church or at home. Thank you for being the church of today that envisions an even more flexible church for the future.

Thank you, beloveds. I know this is shaping up to be much more like the Christmas of last year than the one we wanted this year, and my heart breaks right along with yours. But we know how to do this. And we can do this. And God willing this surge will be both short and perhaps even the last. May God make it so.

Whether online or in person, I look forward to celebrating the great Light of the World with you this Friday evening.

11/19/21

Thank you for your enthusiasm and patience as we progress along our four-staged reopening plan for our campus. Your Reopening Taskforce meets monthly on the first Sunday after worship. I am pleased to share the following update.

We have progressed to phase two of our plan. This means (new additions are in bold):

All people are encouraged to continue joining us for worship however you are most comfortable. We are committed to a dynamic, participatory worship experience whether you are at home on Zoom or in our sanctuary;
For those who wish to join us in person, the sanctuary doors open at 10:45am for 11:00am worship. Worship lasts approximately 45 minutes.
Proof of vaccination is required for all people (each time you enter the building) for people aged 5 and up.
Masks are required at all times for people aged 2 and up.
There is no eating or drinking indoors.
The side door is open for those who need ramp access.
Social distance in the sanctuary is maintained by sitting only where a bulletin is placed and then remaining in your place throughout the service.
We are currently phasing in live music. Phase 2 includes the welcome of no more than 2 masked singers and no more than 2 additional live musicians in our sanctuary. We plan to add additional choir members beginning in Advent. There is no congregational singing yet.
Our bathrooms are open, though please do not congregate in hallways, the chapel, or other rooms at this time.
We encourage online giving or through the plates that will be at the door as you depart.
Please join us on the steps of the church following service for coffee and fellowship. Friends on Zoom will gather for fellowship immediately after the service as well.
Adult education and children’s church school hour will be online from 10:00-10:30am

In addition to these protocols, let me also assure you that the Reopening Taskforce is deeply considering the needs of the Advent and Christmas season while continuing to keep us all safe. More information on all of our Advent and Christmas programming—including a time for us to do some safe caroling—and information about our Christmas Eve worship service will be in your inbox shortly.

Questions? Contact pastors@westendchurch.org

9/28/21

Beginning October 3, 2021, we are pleased to welcome you to the West End Church sanctuary. Our community will be worshipping in a hybrid mode, both in person and online. Please join us however you feel most comfortable.

We have created a four-phased approach to opening based on our current understanding of science and best practices. These guidelines have been created by our Reopening Task Force for the safety of our entire community. They are subject to change at any point.

We are in phase one. That means:

Doors open at 10:45 AM for 11:00 AM worship.
All people aged 12 and up in the congregation are required to show proof of vaccination and all people 2 and up are required to be masked.
Families with unvaccinated children under 12 are welcomed in the Chapel Annex for Fellowship and Interactive Worship at 11am. Over the age of 2 must be masked.
The service will be less than 45 minutes.
We encourage online giving or through the plates that will be at the door for exit
Bulletins will be placed on socially distanced pews, and once you are seated we ask that you do not move around the sanctuary.
Fellowship hour will be outside after the service, and there is no food or beverage. The Zoom room will be left open after the service as well for people online to greet each other.
Adult education and children’s church school hour will be online from 10:00-10:30am. This begins October 17.
There is no access to bathrooms at this time.

We thank you for your patience and grace with this process as we greet each other both online and in person, do our part to keep the community safe, and continue to learn together.

Questions? Contact pastors@westendchurch.org