The last two months have brought challenges to our congregation, our state and our country. During this time of sheltering in place, we’ve discovered that the CUCC community is a vibrant one, even when we can’t be physically together. Thanks to the efforts of many, we’ve experienced meaningful worship, gathered online for small group and ministry meetings, held a virtual auction and said farewell to our interim pastors with a Zoom concert.
Now that North Carolina is taking incremental steps to lessen restrictions, the Council has begun discussing what the “new normal” might look like for our community. A taskforce composed of Mike Cline, Mike Soboeiro and Merrilee Jacobson gathered guidance from medical professionals, governmental agencies and national church bodies to ensure that Council had a wide breadth of information to consider. At its May 18 meeting, Council held a lengthy discussion and mapped out some initial steps as part of our own “Phase 1” plan.
First and foremost, our concern is the health and safety of the congregation and the many people who use our facility for their meetings and events. Medical experts remind us that COVID-19 is highly communicable, potentially deadly, associated with long-term health issues, and for which there is not yet a cure nor a vaccine. People 55 and older are considered at “high risk” for the virus, which equates to 50 percent of our congregation. Younger members may be at high risk due to chronic health conditions.
In an effort to “do no harm,” the Council does not anticipate opening our buildings for worship services or events for the foreseeable future. We feel that Zoom is the best and safest option for now, and we’ll continue to gather in our virtual space on Sunday mornings and throughout the week.
However, there does appear to be a much lower health risk with small groups meeting outside if a 6’ social distance is maintained and masks are worn. Council has decided that groups who agree to follow these guidelines can begin meeting on CUCC’s grounds on June 8. For safety reasons, these groups cannot access the buildings and are encouraged to maintain a list of attendees for at least three weeks to aid in contact tracing should one or more of the attendees contract the virus.
The Council will continue to monitor the emerging data about COVID-19 to determine when additional incremental steps can safely be taken. We encourage you to share your questions and suggestions with Council Moderator Megan Fackler-Bretz at mfacklerbretz@gmail.com or at the June 7 congregational meeting. That meeting will follow the 10:30 a.m. worship service and can be accessed via Zoom or conference call. Information on how to access the service and meeting will be sent, as usual, in the weekly Saturday email.
All members of Council ask for your prayers as we attempt to make the best possible decisions for our community in an ever-changing environment.