In order to protect vulnerable members of our community (including unvaccinated children) while continuing to worship together in person, Union will be undertaking a mitigation strategy tied to CDC recommendations for county-wide transmission levels. Although the majority of our congregation is fully vaccinated, the highly transmissible Delta variant poses significant risks to the unvaccinated—such as children under 12. It also appears that fully vaccinated people can occasionally get breakthrough infections and perhaps unknowingly spread the virus to others. Our sanctuary poses special risks because of the very limited ventilation, and the extended time that people spend in close proximity. After careful deliberation, the Session worked out a mitigation plan for the next two weeks. Here’s what you can expect from now through mid-October:

When Nicollet County is experiencing HIGH TRANSMISSION (marked red on the CDC maps) During worship and elsewhere inside the church building: everyone will be asked to wear a face mask, regardless of vaccination status. There will be no congregational singing. Adult Study: Everyone will be asked to wear a face mask, regardless of vaccination status. Children’s Sunday School: Everyone will be asked to wear a face mask; classes will be held outdoors or online. Coffee Hour: Will be held outdoors, if possible. No coffee or snacks will be served indoors. Choir: Will not rehearse or sing for worship as a group. The preacher, lay worship leaders, and special music singers will be fully vaccinated. They will wear masks except when they are speaking or performing.

When Nicollet County is experiencing SUBSTANTIAL TRANSMISSION (marked orange on the CDC maps) During worship and elsewhere inside the church building: everyone will be asked to wear a face mask, regardless of vaccination status. Adult Study: Everyone will be asked to wear a face mask, regardless of vaccination status. Children’s Sunday School: Everyone will be asked to wear a face mask. Coffee Hour: Will be held outdoors, if possible. No coffee or snacks will be served indoors. Choir: Will not rehearse or sing for worship as a group. The preacher, lay worship leaders, and special music singers will be fully vaccinated. They will wear masks except when they are speaking or performing.

When Nicollet County is experiencing MODERATE TRANSMISSION (marked yellow on the CDC maps) * During worship and elsewhere inside the church building: unvaccinated people will be asked to wear a face mask while in the church building; face masks will be optional for fully vaccinated people. Adult Study: Face masks will be optional. Children’s Sunday School: Everyone will be asked to wear a face mask. Coffee Hour: Will be held in the narthex with doors open; people will be invited to take their coffee outside. Choir (once choir resumes after Labor Day): vaccinated participants will hold rehearsals and sing as usual. The preacher, lay worship leaders, and special music singers will not be required to wear face masks.

Click here to see what level of transmission is affecting Nicollet County.

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.”
—Acts 2:1

As increasing numbers of church members have been vaccinated, we are planning to begin in-person worship in the church sanctuary, with restrictions, on Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 2021. In-person services will require masks and social distancing, along with other safety precautions. We’ll let you know more details as the date approaches. An online worship option will also continue throughout the summer, for those who are not yet vaccinated or who prefer to wait.

Based on the latest CDC recommendations and state regulations, here’s what to expect:

If you are not yet fully vaccinated (not yet 2 weeks after your last shot), please wear a mask.

If you are fully vaccinated (2 weeks after your last shot), you may choose whether to wear a mask.

We will sing as a congregation.

We recommend social distancing. We will not tape off pews, but we ask you to respect others’ personal space.

Doors will remain open, to improve ventilation.

We will have fellowship hour after worship outdoors.

An online worship option will continue through the summer. The Sunday worship service will be recorded and posted online later in the day.

Summer Schedule Starts Now

We are starting the summer schedule next week, two weeks ahead of schedule:

🕤 Worship at 9:30 am
No Sunday School
No Adult Study
No choir

As we gather again, please be patient with one another. We encourage you to participate in-person as you feel ready and to be mindful that other people might make different choices.Whether in-person or online, we look forward to celebrating Pentecost with you. (Remember to wear red!)

Sunday Worship & Coffee Hour

We will worship at Minnesota Square Park on Sunday mornings on September 13 at 9:30 and October 11.

Otherwise, worship services are being held online:
Find this week’s worship service on our YouTube channel

We are also holding a weekly online Coffee Hour before church. Please sign up here and we will send you links to each week’s online worship and coffee hour.

We have not determined when regular in-person worship will resume.

Sunday School for Children and Adults

begins September 20 on-line at 9:00 a.m. Contact the office at 934-4602 to sign up.

Sanctuary Visits

You may visit the sanctuary by appointment. Contact the office at 934-4602 to make an appointment.

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During this season while we are apart, we’ll send you reminders and links for online worship and other online opportunities — and soon (we hope) we’ll let you know when we’ll resume worshiping together in person.

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