All Large Indoor Events Are Paused. Join Us for Online or Outdoor Sunday Services!

On August 25th, the Board affirmed a recommendation from GGAT for a temporary pause in some of our indoor gatherings, specifically large meetings indoors. This includes Sunday services and all Sunday religious education classes (nursery, children’s RE, and Forum). See details below.

It’s been meaningful and joyful to gather on Sundays. This pause challenges us all to create new ways to gather as safely as possible outdoors on our beautiful grounds. The Worship Committee, Rev. Ed Brock, and the Tech Team are committed to holding outdoor services (weather permitting) as well as our regular Zoom Sunday service.

Leaders and staff are also leaning into this most recent and unwelcome change with intention to explore ways to be together that don’t depend on a traditional indoor experience. We’re hoping to collaborate with you all to offer new meaningful ways to be together in person outdoors. What’s your idea? How can leadership and staff help your committee or group make that happen?

We did not come to this decision lightly and it’s not one we were eager to make. Other organizations, and even some churches, continue with business as usual, but we’re trying to behave in accordance with our principles and respect the interdependent web of which we are a part.

GGAT and the Board will reevaluate conditions regularly. Be assured that we are using what we’re learning to return to large indoor gatherings as safely as possible as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience and grace as we navigate the challenges of rapidly changing conditions.

Temporary updated operating guidelines:

~Large indoor in-person gatherings, including Fellowship sponsored Sunday activities (worship services, forum and religious education for all ages), are suspended temporarily and should continue Zoom and outdoors (masked).

~Committees, small groups and other events/activities can meet indoors with in-person participation limited to 12 or fewer people. (Others may join via Zoom for multi-platform inclusion.)

~Everyone indoors, regardless of vaccination status must remain masked at all times. (One masking exception: Staff or Fellowship leaders working alone in a closed room may unmask.)

~Outdoor meetings and events, such as potlucks, are encouraged and should be scheduled with the Fellowship Administrator. Masks must be worn outdoors at large gatherings and during direct interactions with children under 12. Masking outdoors is optional among vaccinated adults but should be considered in the context of covenantal consent.

~Choir decisions are at the Music Director’s professional discretion.

~Decisions about rentals by outside groups are at the Fellowship Administrator’s professional discretion.