| Friends, the global pandemic has reshaped our lives in profound ways. Although we will continue to monitor reports coming from Lucas County on infection and hospitalization rates, we optimistically hope to join one another for our first in-person worship gathering on Sunday, July 11, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. In an effort to protect our young children, who are not permitted to be vaccinated at this time, we will continue to require that all individuals, vaccinated or unvaccinated, wear a mask or face covering while inside The University Church building. We recognize that fully vaccinated individuals may choose to resume many normal activities without face masks, per the CDC’s health recommendations, but we also acknowledge the difficult position faced by families with younger children and those who have not been able to receive vaccination yet. Please join us in solidarity with our youngest and most vulnerable church members by masking, for the time being. We look forward to a time, very soon, when we will be able to meet together without masks or social distancing. Along with temporarily wearing masks, here are a few other changes you can expect for in-person worship gatherings with The University Church: * Arrival – Our greeters will welcome attendees with a pump of hand sanitizer, a mask (if needed), and an individually packaged set of communion elements. * Seating – Our worship area will have small groups of chairs set together to help facilitate social distancing by adding space between household groups. * Music – Our singers will lead our worship music from behind a plexiglass shield. * Children’s Ministry – Children will have the opportunity to participate in regular classroom time during the worship gathering. * Passing the Peace – Attendees will be invited to get creative as we invent new ways to share God’s peace with one another through a contactless gesture or a hand sign (bowing, waving, sign language, air-hug, etc.) * Communion – Attendees will receive individually packaged communion elements upon arrival. We will participate in Holy Communion from our seats near the end of the worship gathering. * Refreshments – Although Fair-Trade coffee and tea are staples of The University Church, we will not be offering any refreshments at this time. Emergency water bottles will be available upon request. * Cleaning – A system of cleaning and sanitizing will help ensure that the restrooms, worship area, and children’s rooms are ready for weekly use. Thank you for your continued perseverance, generosity, creativity, and for giving up some of your conveniences so that we all can meet together as a church family, once again. Your compassion and grace for one another is beautiful. We can’t wait to see you in-person. |