Hi there. I am a parish nurse in a church here in Edmonton Alberta. I belong to a number of on line groups looking at re-entry practices around Canada and the US. This is a huge conversation with many topics that need our attention. For sure, we will be guided by our medical officers of health and government officials and I look forward to hearing more from them.
If I am being honest, I find the process more than a bit daunting. I think about the far reaching effects of this on churches; entry and exit practices, communion practices, singing, children/nursery services, food handling practices, baptisms, janitorial implications, masking, etc. etc. However, I believe we do need to start the conversations now so that when we are allowed to re-open, we will already have defined the guiding principles churches need to adhere to in order to keep us all safe.
Here is a link to an interview with an Epidemiologist, Dr. Osterholm- in discussion with faith communities in Minnesota in which he addresses some important issues about re-opening. https://www.facebook.com/mplssynod/videos/619998971928161/
Some of the US states are re-opening their churches and they have guides available (i.e. https://gabaptist.egnyte.com/dl/42FRJsEWEf/ Georgia) Wisconcin has one as well.
As expected, here is a link to the Alberta government document https://www.alberta.ca/assets/documents/covid-19-relaunch-guidance-places-of-worship.pdf
Posted in: When to Reopen Church? (And When to Re-Close)
Hi there. I am a parish nurse in a church here in Edmonton Alberta. I belong to a number of on line groups looking at re-entry practices around Canada and the US. This is a huge conversation with many topics that need our attention. For sure, we will be guided by our medical officers of health and government officials and I look forward to hearing more from them.
If I am being honest, I find the process more than a bit daunting. I think about the far reaching effects of this on churches; entry and exit practices, communion practices, singing, children/nursery services, food handling practices, baptisms, janitorial implications, masking, etc. etc. However, I believe we do need to start the conversations now so that when we are allowed to re-open, we will already have defined the guiding principles churches need to adhere to in order to keep us all safe.
Here is a link to an interview with an Epidemiologist, Dr. Osterholm- in discussion with faith communities in Minnesota in which he addresses some important issues about re-opening. https://www.facebook.com/mplssynod/videos/619998971928161/
Some of the US states are re-opening their churches and they have guides available (i.e. https://gabaptist.egnyte.com/dl/42FRJsEWEf/ Georgia) Wisconcin has one as well.
There is also a very well written article here about singing that is worth reading. It will make you think and should cause some pause in the way corporate music practices will need to change as we move forward. As a first soprano in my choir this breaks my heart. https://www.drheathernelson.com/singingandcovid19?fbclid=IwAR0HD4zKkFQ0HbKqNhpb4boOak_2dn7g-HA6Ts_4Y6rRyoYHYttSjXBEYGc
I would welcome your comments as this unfolds for us all.
Kathy Dempsey-Glegloff
Posted in: When to Reopen Church? (And When to Re-Close)
As expected, here is a link to the Alberta government document https://www.alberta.ca/assets/documents/covid-19-relaunch-guidance-places-of-worship.pdf
Kathy
Posted in: When to Reopen Church? (And When to Re-Close)
Hi Rod. Nice to hear from you in this 'new' context. Hope all is well. Kathy