Summary [updated May 24]

• Masks are still expected at FPCL for worship, groups, and events
• On May 30 we plan to start Phase 2 in-person worship (double capacity, congregational singing with masks on)
• On June 20 we plan to start Phase 3 in-person worship (masks optional, choir can sing again, move the pulpit and lectern forward again)
• On September 4 we plan to start Fall in-person worship
  • Adult Sunday School 9-9:45am
  • Worship Service 10-11am
  • Children’s Sunday School plan TBD
  • Possibly all clear on COVID, but we’ll finalize that at the end of the summer

Full Version

Phase 2 In-Person Worship – May 30
We chose to start our Phase 2 in-person worship 8 weeks after vaccines became generally available to all adults in Colorado. The logic behind this decision was to give everyone who wants a vaccine the chance to get it plus 6 weeks to let that vaccine become fully effective (first shot + second shot + 2 weeks). That leads us to May 30 for the start of Phase 2 in-person worship.

• Masks still expected
• Every pew is open, but we alternate sides of the pews to give some space between households. With this plan, we can fit close to our normal pre-COVID worship attendance
• Congregational singing is now allowed with masks still on
• Able to mingle inside after worship instead of heading outside immediately, but no snacks yet
• Still open windows as weather allows to allow ventilation

Phase 3 In-Person Worship – June 20 [moved up one week]
We chose to start our Phase 3 in-person worship 3 weeks after we start Phase 2 to make sure our loosening restrictions haven’t created any health and safety issues. If there is another major COVID wave in our community or if there are COVID issues that arise in our church, the start of this phase could be delayed. When we start Phase 2 in-person worship on May 30, that means June 20 for Phase 3.

• Masks optional – make the masking choice that makes you feel most comfortable or safest
  • We will not be asking if worshipers are vaccinated
• Seating remains the same as Phase 2
• Choir can sing in worship in the choir loft
• Pulpit and lectern come forward to their pre-COVID positions
• Still open windows as weather allows to allow ventilation
• Mingling after worship without snacks (same as Phase 2)

Fall In-Person Worship – September 12
As we considered our Fall worship schedule, we focused on five major factors.

• We have people who prefer late worship (a large group)
• We have people for whom adult Sunday school is their primary discipleship approach (a medium group)
• We have people who prefer early worship (a small group)
• We have children and families (a small group, but this is an area of focus for growth and we want the next generation to feel at-home in worship)
• One of our major church goals coming out of COVID is to invest in and restore relationships

Through the lens of those five factors, we evaluated several options. We explored our pre-COVID Sunday plan (worship at 8:30 and 10:30). We explored keeping a single 9:30 service. We explored adult Sunday school 9-10 and a single worship service at 10:30. And we explored adult Sunday school 9-9:45 with a single worship service at 10.

In my conversations with people across our congregation, 10am worship seems to be the intersection between what is “acceptable” to our early and late worshiping groups. Most of the early worshipers I have spoken with said 10 would be the latest they would endorse, and only because it would allow everyone to be together and invest in relationships. Most of the late worshipers I have spoken with said 10 would be the earliest they would endorse, and only because it would allow everyone to be together and invest in relationships.

The Session believes that 9-9:45 Sunday School and 10am worship service gives us the best opportunity to invest in all five of the major factors listed above. It requires everyone to give more on the timing than they would prefer, but it allows us to invest in relationships by being together every week. It also enables pastors to more easily teach adult Sunday school classes.

My hope and prayer is that we approach this process with grace for those who feel differently than we do on the pace of re-opening and the Fall worship plan.

In Christ’s Service Together,
Pastor Cody