Pastoral Guidance from Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee:
- As we continue to re-open church buildings and expand activities, please plan carefully, thoughtfully, and faithfully. Discover how to be Church Together in this time—as a congregation and in your community.
- Find the Bishop's March 4, 2022 letter re: Mask Mandate Lifting HERE
- Find the Bishop's January 4, 2022 letter re: Omicron variant HERE
- Find the Bishop’s June 10, 2021 letter re: Re-opening our Church Buildings HERE
As the state mask mandate is lifted on March 12, consider these protocols:
- Mask if you are at high risk, around others who are at high risk, with children under five, singing, or in crowded spaces
- Improve indoor air ventilation and filtration.
- Make available and encourage hand sanitizer use
- Get your COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot, if eligible
- Stay home (isolate/quarantine) if feeling sick and get tested if you have symptoms or an exposure to COVID-19
- Continue to serve Holy Communion in a safe way
- Establish/continue safe food preparation and handling guidelines
- Consider other safety precautions that are unique to your setting
Additional Resources:
- ELCA scripture-based resource:: www.ThrivingBeyondCovid.org
- Monitor COVID numbers: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html
- Updates on the King County Faith-Based Organization (FBO) page: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/community-faith-organizations.aspx (particulars on singing have been requested)
- FAQ for FBO’s: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/community-faith-organizations/FAQ.aspx
- Latest Faith Based Org Meeting Video (Mar 16, 2022)-- occurs every 2-weeks
- Latest Faith Based Org Meeting PowerPoint (Feb 16, 2022)-- occurs every 2-weeks
- Latest King County Partnership Video (Mar 16, 2022)-- occurs every 2 weeks
Concerns still not addressed? Email Pr. Andy Yee, Assistant to the Bishop
Synod COVID Relief Fund