Health and Safety Task Force

Published on August 11, 2020 • Michelle Voelker

Health and Safety Task Force Update
The Health and Safety Task Force consists of Dr. Virginia Wangerin, Dr. Scott Honsey, Mary Weaverling, Rich Snyder, Emma Stammer, and Pastor Mike.  This task force has been meeting every other week since the end of May to make recommendations on how to proceed safely as Grace Lutheran Church during this global pandemic.  These recommendations are then taken to the Congregational Council for a decision.  The Congregational Council approved the following recommendations at the July meeting.

Grace Lutheran Church will take a phased approach to the return of in person worship and activities.  The following phases will remain fluid, as it may be necessary to move back to a prior phase based on new case counts or active cases within Grace Lutheran Church.  Masks will be required in all public spaces of the Grace Lutheran Church building until we reach a point where there is a widespread vaccine and it is deemed safe to discontinue the mask requirement.
Phase 1 – The building is completely closed with the possible exception of livestreaming worship services.
Phase 2 (current phase) – The Grace Lutheran Church building remains closed apart from Grace Kids Care, livestream of worship, private baptisms and funerals, and staff use.
Phase 3 – The Grace Lutheran Church building would open for small groups and meetings of less than a dozen people.  There would be additional safety provisions, and people using the building would sign a contract stating they would follow these rules.  This phase could be considered after there is a two-week sustained downward trend in new cases in Polk and Dallas Counties.
Phase 4 – We would begin to have in person worship with a maximum of 50 people per service.  There would be the possibility of multiple services between the sanctuary and Grace Hall.  This phase could be considered after an 8 week sustained downward trend in new cases in Polk and Dallas Counties.
Phase 5 – We would go back to one service in the sanctuary with some updated safety protocols.  This phase could be considered once there is a widespread vaccine and it is safe to gather.