WHAT'S NEW WITH RE-ENTRY PLANS?
The ReEntry Task Force met on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, to assess our plans for the summer and to adjust our ongoing response to the pandemic in light of recent improvements in case rates, vaccination rates, and hospitalizations in Lancaster County.
Effective Monday, June 21:
These measures remain in place:
Our community is diverse. As we move forward in these next months, please continue to assess your own risk tolerance while also considering members of the community who are more vulnerable, such as unvaccinated children or immunocompromised adults.
These guidelines will apply through our summer season, and the ReEntry Task Force will reassess these guidelines before the 2021-22 congregational year begins on Sunday, September 5. If you have any questions about these measures, please contact the church office at admin@unitarianlincoln.org, and we will direct your question to the ReEntry Task Force. CLICK HERE to watch Oscar's daily video from Friday, June 18, for more information.
PLANNING FOR RE-ENTRY
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Congregational safety is a core duty of church leadership. Beyond that, our decision making is guided by our Unitarian Universalist faith, which proclaims:
We have made exciting plans which include opportunities for outdoor activities and worship services over the summer, with full re-entry (two Sunday services, one live-streamed) in September 2021 as long as the Lincoln-Lancaster Covid-19 Risk Dial is still in Green.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Question: When will we be able to start meeting indoors for Sunday Services?
Answer: In-person indoors Sunday Services began May 9, 2021. Services are at 100% capacity as of June 1, 2021.
Question: When will small groups be able to begin meeting indoors?
Answer: Small groups may now meet outside or inside the building. We are able to offer small group meetings of under 10 people in a hybrid model (some in person - some on zoom) in the library on a limited basis. Please contact our Administrative Director, Jean Helms, if you would like to get on the calendar - admin@unitarianlincoln.org. They can answer questions regarding availability and logistics.
Question: When will Sunday School start for our youth?
Answer: We are offering Ingatherings this Summer. Sunday School, with children broken out into grade levels, will likely begin in September.
More on the topic of children: Our Religious Growth Director, Chelsea Krafka, sends out a weekly email to parents and guardians. One of the pieces of info that she includes is whether the upcoming Sunday Service will be an all-ages service or an ingathering.
Chelsea is recommending that all K - 5 children be taken directly to the Sunday School wing upon arrival. We no longer have a mask requirement for adults who are vaccinated. Children 5 years of age or younger are provided childcare in the Preschool Room. Parents may drop them off before the worship service begins. The door to the Sunday School wing is just to the right inside the front doors.
If you would like to receive the weekly email from Religious Growth Director, Chelsea Krafka, please drop a note to her at religiousgrowth@unitarianlincoln.org. If you would also like to receive eblasts and newsletters, simply click the SUBSCRIBE button in the footer of this webpage.
COVID-RELATED DOCUMENTS:
RE-ENTRY TASK FORCE
The Re-Entry Task Force meets on the third Wednesday of the month.
MEMBERS
Minister: Rev. Oscar Sinclair
Board President: Lori Straatmann
Immediate Past President: Trevor Jones
Program Council Chair: Karen Heafer
Administrative Director: Jean Helms
Religious Growth Director: Chelsea Krafka
Facilities Cluster Liaison: Jackie Egan
Sunday Services Cluster Liaison: Mary K Stillwell
Please contact someone on the Re-Entry Task Force if you have questions. The contact information for these individuals is in the REALM database, on the STAFF page, or can be obtained by contacting the church office.
The ReEntry Task Force met on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, to assess our plans for the summer and to adjust our ongoing response to the pandemic in light of recent improvements in case rates, vaccination rates, and hospitalizations in Lancaster County.
Effective Monday, June 21:
- Masks optional for vaccinated congregants in the sanctuary, at small group meetings, outdoors, and at UCL-sponsored events. Masks are highly encouraged for those not yet vaccinated.
- No advance registration needed to attend worship services or other events.
- No six-foot distance requirement.
- The sanctuary doors will remain closed during Sunday worship.
These measures remain in place:
- Masks required in the Sunday School Wing, regardless of vaccination status.
- Because it is located in Sunday School Wing, the water fountain will be closed on Sundays. We will provide paper cups in the bathrooms and kitchens if you do not have your own reusable container.
- No coffee or food served on Sundays.
- Consistent with UUA guidance, we will not yet sing congregational hymns.
- Please continue to practice active consent (e.g. ask before hugging or shaking hands).
Our community is diverse. As we move forward in these next months, please continue to assess your own risk tolerance while also considering members of the community who are more vulnerable, such as unvaccinated children or immunocompromised adults.
These guidelines will apply through our summer season, and the ReEntry Task Force will reassess these guidelines before the 2021-22 congregational year begins on Sunday, September 5. If you have any questions about these measures, please contact the church office at admin@unitarianlincoln.org, and we will direct your question to the ReEntry Task Force. CLICK HERE to watch Oscar's daily video from Friday, June 18, for more information.
PLANNING FOR RE-ENTRY
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Congregational safety is a core duty of church leadership. Beyond that, our decision making is guided by our Unitarian Universalist faith, which proclaims:
- There is intrinsic value in the act of gathering as a community. Whether in person or online, our faith is strengthened by being together.
- Each person is the expert on their own life, and their own risk tolerances.
- Each person in our community has inherent worth and dignity, so we have a collective responsibility to care for the most vulnerable among us.
- Our lives are interconnected, so we will work to provide the same opportunities to all congregants.
We have made exciting plans which include opportunities for outdoor activities and worship services over the summer, with full re-entry (two Sunday services, one live-streamed) in September 2021 as long as the Lincoln-Lancaster Covid-19 Risk Dial is still in Green.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Question: When will we be able to start meeting indoors for Sunday Services?
Answer: In-person indoors Sunday Services began May 9, 2021. Services are at 100% capacity as of June 1, 2021.
Question: When will small groups be able to begin meeting indoors?
Answer: Small groups may now meet outside or inside the building. We are able to offer small group meetings of under 10 people in a hybrid model (some in person - some on zoom) in the library on a limited basis. Please contact our Administrative Director, Jean Helms, if you would like to get on the calendar - admin@unitarianlincoln.org. They can answer questions regarding availability and logistics.
Question: When will Sunday School start for our youth?
Answer: We are offering Ingatherings this Summer. Sunday School, with children broken out into grade levels, will likely begin in September.
More on the topic of children: Our Religious Growth Director, Chelsea Krafka, sends out a weekly email to parents and guardians. One of the pieces of info that she includes is whether the upcoming Sunday Service will be an all-ages service or an ingathering.
Chelsea is recommending that all K - 5 children be taken directly to the Sunday School wing upon arrival. We no longer have a mask requirement for adults who are vaccinated. Children 5 years of age or younger are provided childcare in the Preschool Room. Parents may drop them off before the worship service begins. The door to the Sunday School wing is just to the right inside the front doors.
If you would like to receive the weekly email from Religious Growth Director, Chelsea Krafka, please drop a note to her at religiousgrowth@unitarianlincoln.org. If you would also like to receive eblasts and newsletters, simply click the SUBSCRIBE button in the footer of this webpage.
COVID-RELATED DOCUMENTS:
- COVID ADDENDUM to the BUILDING RENTAL AGREEMENT
- COVID WAIVER to be signed by renters.
- STEPWISE PLAN FOR RE-ENTRY
- SUMMER EMERGENCE SERIES (Please note that we have added one more outdoor event to the Summer Emergence Series - Tent Revival 2.0 on Thursday, September 2. Click Here to read the What's New Blog post that includes this info.)
RE-ENTRY TASK FORCE
The Re-Entry Task Force meets on the third Wednesday of the month.
MEMBERS
Minister: Rev. Oscar Sinclair
Board President: Lori Straatmann
Immediate Past President: Trevor Jones
Program Council Chair: Karen Heafer
Administrative Director: Jean Helms
Religious Growth Director: Chelsea Krafka
Facilities Cluster Liaison: Jackie Egan
Sunday Services Cluster Liaison: Mary K Stillwell
Please contact someone on the Re-Entry Task Force if you have questions. The contact information for these individuals is in the REALM database, on the STAFF page, or can be obtained by contacting the church office.
