October 28, 2020

Shift to Level Three Regathering

We are excited to announce that St. John’s is moving cautiously to Level Three of our Parish Regathering Plan. We are truly becoming an expanded community that is both online and in person. Beginning Sunday, November 1, we will offer three in-person worship services with 25-percent capacity. These services will be spread throughout our campus and will have unique focuses and features. Our 10:00 a.m. Service of Holy Eucharist will continue to be offered online.

On Tuesday, November 3, the church will reopen to walk-up, takeout service at the Café and small in-person meetings, scheduled by appointment. Education offerings continue online, and any special in-person services will be streamed for those more comfortable remaining at home. Your health and safety is paramount, so we encourage those in the more vulnerable categories to continue to socially distance. In addition, we are asking all parishioners to please review our “Covenant for Regathering in Worship.”

You are our family and we want to keep you and your fellow parishioners safe. The measures we’re asking you to commit to in our worship covenant are an important foundation to in-person worship. At some point, we expect there will be a positive case connected to St. John’s. Please trust that we will be up front and honest in our communication.

Details about worship, gatherings and campus protocols can be found below, along with a list of events for the first few days of in-person gathering. We are taking every precaution to ensure the safety of our parish community. We have also begun planning for Advent and Christmas! We’ll share information as the dates get closer. Stay tuned!

In-person worship (25% capacity) – masks required; nursery closed. Communion in the Garden continues but the time shifts from 2-4:00 p.m. Streaming of services continues; special services available in person. No-touch worship modifications including Communion in one kind (bread only). Hymnals and books have been removed and there will be no exchange of the Peace or receiving line.
Education offerings remain online in Level 3. All classes continue via zoom, and Sunday forums are online only. There will be no coffee hour on site after services. Groups (St. John’s church groups only) of 25 or fewer may meet at church by appointment. Masks are required. Children’s, youth & outreach events can be held in person with task force approval. Outdoor events are encouraged and masks are required.
Church offices reopen. Distancing will be maintained and masks are required. Foot traffic limited in office spaces for health & safety of staff. Lively Café counter service resumes but is limited to takeout only; online ordering still available. Alfriend Hall features a socially-distanced traffic pattern and safety protocols for volunteers. Curbside takeout will be discontinued. Weddings, funerals & baptisms continue with 50 people or less permitted on campus.

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