Reopening Policy and Procedures
July 21, 2020
Elk River Lutheran Church (ERLC) has always been committed to our mission: “Trusting in God’s grace, an accepting, joyful community, serving God and neighbor.” During the Covid-19 pandemic, one of the greatest ways we can serve our neighbor is by limiting the spread of the coronavirus, which has meant closing many businesses and public gathering places, including churches. While our desire to start gathering in-person again is strong, our desire to do so safely and when the time is right is stronger.
This Reopening Policy and Procedures document lays out our plan for ensuring that ERLC staff are safe at the church (while also still being encouraged to work from home when possible) and it contains our plan for safely reopening the church for some small group gatherings and ministries.
In-Person Worship
At the time of this policy’s creation, ERLC will continue to worship online and with special drive-in services. Due to the particular risks of viral spread that in-person worship presents (singing, close physical proximity, Holy Communion, food and drink, shaking hands and greeting one another, etc.), the church council will continue to carefully evaluate the situation and learn from the experiences of churches that are returning to in-person worship.
Recommendations for options gathering outside the church
The ERLC church council recognizes how much we all miss gathering for in-person worship and other church gatherings. While this policy provides an avenue for small groups to gather at ERLC, we also want to recommend that members think creatively about organizing their own off-site small gatherings of church friends just to socialize or host a watch party for online worship. This policy can serve as a helpful resource for how to make those gatherings safer by focusing on outdoor gatherings, encouraging hand washing/sanitizing, and mask wearing.
We also have great outdoor spaces at the church for small group meetings:
Staff and Day to Day Operations
Church Entry Procedures
For all who enter the church building:
Small Group Building Usage
The church encourages small groups to meet online, outdoors and/or off-site whenever possible.
Guidelines from the CDC and MDH require/recommend these processes for safety and protection of individuals as well as for contact tracing.
A completed form is required before a small group event can be scheduled. Group event usage will be approved by Pastor and Office Manager. Form can be found online on the church website.
Rules for groups will included and must be enforced by a designated leader.
July 21, 2020
Elk River Lutheran Church (ERLC) has always been committed to our mission: “Trusting in God’s grace, an accepting, joyful community, serving God and neighbor.” During the Covid-19 pandemic, one of the greatest ways we can serve our neighbor is by limiting the spread of the coronavirus, which has meant closing many businesses and public gathering places, including churches. While our desire to start gathering in-person again is strong, our desire to do so safely and when the time is right is stronger.
This Reopening Policy and Procedures document lays out our plan for ensuring that ERLC staff are safe at the church (while also still being encouraged to work from home when possible) and it contains our plan for safely reopening the church for some small group gatherings and ministries.
In-Person Worship
At the time of this policy’s creation, ERLC will continue to worship online and with special drive-in services. Due to the particular risks of viral spread that in-person worship presents (singing, close physical proximity, Holy Communion, food and drink, shaking hands and greeting one another, etc.), the church council will continue to carefully evaluate the situation and learn from the experiences of churches that are returning to in-person worship.
Recommendations for options gathering outside the church
The ERLC church council recognizes how much we all miss gathering for in-person worship and other church gatherings. While this policy provides an avenue for small groups to gather at ERLC, we also want to recommend that members think creatively about organizing their own off-site small gatherings of church friends just to socialize or host a watch party for online worship. This policy can serve as a helpful resource for how to make those gatherings safer by focusing on outdoor gatherings, encouraging hand washing/sanitizing, and mask wearing.
We also have great outdoor spaces at the church for small group meetings:
- 3 tables and 6 chairs on the deck off the 1st floor in the back of the church.
- A picnic table off the basement community room.
- A table with seating on the deck off the river by the back parking lot.
Staff and Day to Day Operations
- Church building is still closed with the doors locked.
- Staff are encouraged to work from home when it is possible.
Church Entry Procedures
For all who enter the church building:
- Upon Entry:
- Sign in (Name, date, temperature, respiratory symptoms and phone number)
- If over 100oF or respiratory symptoms, immediately leave the building and follow measures to prevent the spread of disease, and if a positive COVID-19 test occurred, please notify the church office.
- Sanitize hands (sanitizer or wash in sink)
- While in office/church building:
- Maintain 6’ social distancing
- Wear a mask when multiple people are present
- When Leaving:
- Sanitize common areas when you leave (door handles, light switches, elevator buttons, stair rails, copier room or machine buttons)
- Regular cleaning and sanitizing by the custodian.
- Custom list based on needs of church facility to accompany CDC facility cleaning resource.
- This includes but is not limited to commonly touched areas like door handles, stair railings, elevator buttons, bathrooms and bathroom stalls, sink knobs etc.
Small Group Building Usage
The church encourages small groups to meet online, outdoors and/or off-site whenever possible.
Guidelines from the CDC and MDH require/recommend these processes for safety and protection of individuals as well as for contact tracing.
A completed form is required before a small group event can be scheduled. Group event usage will be approved by Pastor and Office Manager. Form can be found online on the church website.
Rules for groups will included and must be enforced by a designated leader.
- Groups must be 10 or less in size
- Groups will enter and meet on basement level so they’re in a separate space from where the staff work.
- Attendees must RSVP to attend. (if not RSVPd, cannot attend)
- Follow ERLC building entry procedure:
- Each event there should be a sign in with name and phone number.
- Take temperature and record where they signed in (If temperature is over 100oF attendee must leave immediately)
- Sanitize hands when enter (sanitizer or wash in sink)
- Must not mix with other groups
- All must be wearing a mask
- No eating
- No drinking
- No singing allowed and we ask that groups minimize unison speaking (for example we encourage a group leader to say the Lord’s Prayer as opposed to all saying the Lord’s Prayer)
- Group must clean area/sanitize when they leave (Instructions are posted in community room)
