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Weekly Email from Pastor Jim Lehman     June 3, 2020

Last evening … June 2 … the Executive Committee met to consider the options available to us to initiate our Plan for a Return to Gathered Worship. This Plan was included in last week’s email message and in the June edition of The Eagle. Of particular concern were the questions of “Where” and “When” to worship. Guiding this discussion was an overriding desire to gather in a manner that would ensure the greatest safety for all who might determine that it is the “proper” time for their return.

As stated clearly in our plan, the hope is to provide ample freedom for each of you to make your decision about whether returning will enhance or endanger your well-being. All of us need to think about how our chosen action will demonstrate love to one another.

Please know that we will continue to provide our Sunday morning broadcast on WGGN 97.7FM at 8:00 am. We will also continue to make worship available through Facebook and YouTube, as we have done throughout all these weeks when worship has been suspended. We have discovered during this time that these “tools,” some old, some new, are enabling us to greatly expand our reach within this community, and even in places we never thought possible. Also, during the time that I am here, we hope to be able to keep these broadcasts “in synch” with what happens in gathered worship.

So … beginning on Saturday, June 6 at 5:00 pm … and Sunday, June 7 at 9:00 am … we will be gathering for worship here at St. John. You might consider this a “soft-opening” … which basically means that we will start the learning process of how to gather for worship with the proper protocols in place to make it as safe for everyone as possible. Worship will be a bit shorter than you are accustomed to as we make this transition. We cannot reduce the risk to 0% … remember that most accidental injuries occur in the home … but we will do everything we can think of … and keep learning new things … to provide a safe as possible place to worship.

In order to maximize resources and provide adequate time for sanitizing and cleaning .. i.e. have a safe environment for all … Saturday Worship will be held in the Parish Hall … and Sunday Worship will be held in the Sanctuary. It is our hope that this will be a “temporary” reality. Yes, we are aware that the Parish Hall can become a bit “stuffy,” if not downright sweltering during the summer; so please dress accordingly. You might even see me in shorts!

All of this is a new, never-done-this-before experience for all of us, and we will be learning … as we move forward. Decisions reached … and decisions changed or tweaked … will be carried out for the well-being and protection of us all.

This week’s Email Update does not contain a devotional piece. The goal was to get this message out as quickly as possible. It is my intention to keep on providing this Weekly Update during the remainder of my time of service among, and with you.

Together in Christ,

Pastor Jim

In the Meantime … and Beyond

Our radio broadcasts on WGGN 97.7FM at 8:00 am continue. We will also continue to make worship available on Facebook/YouTube; when it can be accessed at a more agreeable time. Thanks are due to Jordan and Bill Wiewandt, Kristina Smith and Pam Boytim for their faithful and consistent work. This week’s worship, for the Holy Trinity, features Confession and Forgiveness, current scripture readings, sermon and Intercessory Prayers. Thanks to Ken Gipe who assisted with this worship. Worship@TheBay will be held Sunday, June 7 … outdoors Worship on the Lawn … at 6:30 PM.

R-Days

The day of my retirement is drawing near. My final weekend with you in worship will be July 12. From July 14-31, I will be on vacation, as accumulated days have been deferred to the end of my time of service. Officially, my last day is July 31; with R-Days starting on August 1.

Examen Prayer for the Promise of God’s Presence

Lord Jesus, let us be still and let us be at peace, for just a few moments, in the busy-ness of this day. Let us be attentive to where we have been and to where we are headed. And lead us to clearly see where you are present in all of our lives today. In the name of Jesus Crucified and Risen for the World Amen.

Matthew 6:34

³⁴"So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today.”

Matthew 28:20

“And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Hebrews 13:8

“Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday and today and forever.”

Psalm 57:9-11

 ^“I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens; your faithfulness extends to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth.”

St. John Plan for Returning to Gathered Worship

May 2020

Everything that follows as a part of this Plan for Returning to Gathered Worship is carried out under theme of “Loving God; Loving the Neighbor.” The motivation to return is centered in a renewed commitment to praise and thank God as we gather, to hear God’s Word that brings us life, to be fed and sustained in faith at the Lord’s Supper and then to be sent out to love and serve the world.

 

But gathering again also implies that we must live out our commitment to love the neighbor who assembles with us. Our Christian freedom carries with it a God-given responsibility to care for the health and well-being of others who share the same earth and space with us. You are invited to join with us in “Loving God; Loving the Neighbor.”

 

BEFORE GATHERING

1. Those who are at higher risk to COVID-19 will need to determine whether being present with the community will enhance or endanger their own health and well-being. Staying home is one significant way to demonstrate love.
2. We will continue our broadcast on WGGN 97.7 FM at 8:00 am and will provide Virtual Worship through Facebook/YouTube for those who will not be able to gather with us in person at this time.
3. Those who choose to be present in worship will need to do a self-assessment of their own health before leaving home. Please review these symptoms before making a decision to worship. You may have COVID-19 if you: Have one or both of these symptoms: • Cough • Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing and have at least two of these symptoms: • Fever • Chills • Repeated shaking with chills • Muscle pain • Headache • Sore throat. Again, staying home will be a significant way to demonstrate love for others.
4. A process for insuring that we “spread out” the number of people present for any one worship service is being explored, i.e. balance between Saturday and Sunday. We may ask people to “register,” by making their intentions known so appropriate planning can take place. A survey for receiving input from those who “might” attend is being considered.
5. One suggested and easy way to love your neighbor beyond physical distancing is to wear a face mask. Face masks are being sewn by a team of St. John seamstress volunteers and will be available for those who do not have a mask or have forgotten to bring one.
6. Our common spaces such as: our worship space, entry/exit doors, stair rails, elevator buttons, bathrooms will be cleaned and sanitized before and after each event. Cleaning/Disinfecting logs will be posted in each area. Some rooms will be cleaned and then locked or doors closed. This will permit fuller cleaning in the spaces that are being used. Here are the Ohio Department of Health recommendations for prevention cleaning:

            CLEAN ALL "HIGH-TOUCH" SURFACES EVERY DAY

            High touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures,                  toilets,             phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. Also, clean any surfaces      that may have blood,   stool, or body fluids on them. Use a household cleaning     spray or wipe according to the label   instructions. Labels contain instructions for           safe and effective use of the cleaning product including precautions you should             take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you        have good ventilation during use of the product.

7. It may be necessary for us to add an additional worship service to stay within the guidelines we will be receiving from the State of Ohio for a “safe” crowd. One possibility is Tuesday at 5:00 pm, where worship for the coming weekend could be recorded.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE

1. Entrance/Exit Doors will be in open position or will be opened for you by a Greeter, with gloves and mask. Please enter by the Adams Street Parish Hall or Second Street doors. Markings on the floor will be provided to help people “find their way.”
2. New Wall Hand Sanitizing dispensers will be installed in accessible places.
3. Printed guidelines (laminated) will be available for Ushers and Greeters to become familiar with these new, and hopefully temporary, procedures.
4. Ushers will direct you to worship bulletins and offering plate(s) for self-service.
5. Bibles, songs books, visitor attendance cards etc. will be removed from the pews.
6. Children’s activity bags will not be available during this initial return. Parents please bring items from home for your children, if needed.
7. We have determined that our worship space can provide a safe place for a gathering of 60 persons. Some pews will be will be cordoned off and unavailable for use at this time.
8. We are also looking into the use of the Parish Hall as a “secondary” place to gather upon a return. Reasons for this move include: more space to spread out, sanitization more effective, and easier access. Obstacles to this move would be: quality of sound, not our preferred place to worship, heat and humidity. What we are working on to make this space viable: sound system and recording capabilities and new non-cushioned chairs. Tables would be taken down and stored.
9. Ushers will also help you to find a seat that will insure proper physical distancing throughout our worship space. Pews may be roped off to insure the 6-foot rule. Families and couples may sit together; however, they need to make sure the 6-foot radius is maintained, in order to practice love for the neighbor.
10.  Ushers will fill out an Attendance Log, registering those who are present. If they ask your name, please do not be offended, use this as a time to become better acquainted as the Body of Christ!

DURING WORSHIP

1. If you choose to sing in worship, please wear a face mask. Studies have shown that singing is a significant way that airborne viruses are spread.
2. We may also need to “minimize” spoken responses by the worshiping community, calling upon the appointed worship leaders to do this on behalf of the whole community. The use of the word “Amen” has historically been a way for the community to complete the spoken word by adding, “Yes! It shall be so!” Opportunity exists to teach the community to use a more robust, “Amen!”
3. Until a vaccine is widely available, we will suspend the Passing of the Peace through physical contact.
4. The Offering will be brought forward by Ushers (gloves) and will not be collected from the pews (Plates in narthex). Noisy Offerings will also be collected in the Narthex on those appointed weekends.
5. Pastor and Assisting Ministers will sit on opposite sides of chancel. When leading liturgy together, proper distancing will be practiced. Acolytes will sit in first pew, keeping proper distancing.
6. Children will remain in the pews with parents during the Children’s Sermon.
7. For the health of our youngest, please keep children in the pew as much as it is possible.
8. Pastor will preach from the Pulpit.
9. Holy Communion will be available for those who will choose to receive. Please use proper spacing when waiting in the center aisle. Pastor and Communion Assistants will wear gloves and masks. Communion Wafers and Pouring Chalice will be used for distribution. Every attempt will be made to minimize direct contact as much as possible using the “drop in the palm” method to distribute wafer. Cups will be available in trays, spaced to prevent unintended touch. Extend both hands for a successful delivery. The blessing of children through physical contact, who do yet commune, will be suspended during this time of re-entry.
10.  Baptismal parties who gather at the font will be limited to the candidate for baptism, parents and sponsors. Font will be sanitized before worship and the addition of water during the Rite of Baptism.

AFTER WORSHIP

1. As you leave worship Pastor and Assisting Ministers will greet you verbally, from as much distance as possible and will be masked. Appropriate hand gestures 😊 may be employed … peace, okay, etc. Please no handshakes, hugs or high-five’s … until a vaccine is available.
2. The spaces utilized will be cleaned, sanitized and logged before the next event.
3. If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 after being present for worship, please demonstrate love for your neighbor by contacting the Church Office.
4. The best guess from medical experts is that these protocols may need to remain in place for up to 12-18 months, until a vaccine is widely available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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