Given the current situation regarding COVID-19 and lifted restrictions, the plan below outlines our re-opening - resuming our in-person worship ministry.  This plan has been bathed in prayer, thought, resources, and conversations among church leaders, staff, and congregants.  The overall tone and mindset of this plan are pastoral.  We recognize that for some, this plan and timeline seem too restrictive, and for others, it does not go far enough.  

We hold these plans loosely as the Covid situation is continually changing. Any adjustments to this plan will be communicated promptly.

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General Information

All people are encouraged to watch online if they show symptoms, are in the “vulnerable” categories, or are uneasy about attending in-person ministry opportunities. Live-streaming worship options will still be offered. (Click Here)

People are encouraged to utilize the free-standing hand sanitizers that are available at each door entering both campus buildings.

Doors will be propped open as appropriate.

The bus service will be suspended.

Re-Open Date:

This date gives us time to make sure our systems are in place and that we are comfortable with the new procedures for distancing and cleanliness.

• Sunday, June 21, 2020.

Protective Covering:

Masks will be available and optional.  (West Campus 10:30 service requires masks).  People are free, based on their comfort level, to take precautions as they see fit.  

Service Times and Distancing:

To help promote appropriate distancing, we are adjusting the style of the West Campus services to offer two opportunities for traditional/blended worship. East Campus services would remain in the same style.

Services would be shortened to allow the in-between service cleaning to take place. 

• West Campus: 9:00 Traditional Style, Masks Optional (LIVE STREAMED) + 10:30 Blended Style, Masks Required (LIVE STREAMED)

• East Campus: 9:00 Contemporary, Masks Optional (LIVE STREAMED)

Adjusted Service Elements:

• Greeters: 

  • Greeters would have no physical contact and would simply offer a smile and a welcome.

• Seating:

  • West Campus: Every other pew is marked per service.  E.g. The 9:00 attendees would sit in pews marked 9:00.  The 10:30 attendees would sit in pews marked 10:30.

  • East Campus: Plastic chairs are set up in a fashion that promotes distancing. E.g. Rows are in groups of five and distanced from other rows.

• Bulletins/Handouts:

  • Suspended.  Everything is on screen or the church app.  Keep checking our Facebook, Newsletter, and email announcements. 

• Greeting/Sharing the Peace:

  • Suspended.

• Singing:

  • Singing is still a part of our worship life.  The Pastors and Worship leaders will determine the frequency.

  • West Campus: The choir is suspended. 

  • East Campus:  Worship Teams will be distanced on stage, and no microphone sharing will take place. 

• Communion:

  • NOTE: East Campus will begin serving communion on Sunday, 7/12.

  • Set-Up: communion elements will be set on an upfront table.  If communion elements are touched in any way, the Altar Guild/Worship Coordinators wear masks and gloves and their handling is communicated. 

  • Available using the “creamer-style-packaged” bread/wine.

  • People will line up, six feet apart, and take a wafer/wine package from the table back to their seats to pray and consume. People will not kneel at the altar (West Campus).

  • People will drop the packaging in a basket as they leave.

  • No physical touch for children’s blessings and distancing is expected.

• Offering:

  • People are encouraged to go to www.MyTrinityGiving.com or drop their check into the baskets by the doors.

• Dismissal:

  • West Campus: back rows exit first. 

  • East Campus: appropriate distancing expected. 

• Fellowship Time:

  • Suspended.  People are free to gather outside or in common areas with appropriate social distancing.  No coffee or water will be available.

• Nursery/Children’s Ministry:

  • Suspended

  • Occasional Children’s messages might be prerecorded and shown on screen without the children coming forward or children would come forward and sit on distanced chairs.  

• Cleaning:

  • Before and after each service, the Cleaning Crew will wipe down door handles, pews/chairs, and bathrooms

  • The East Campus worship team will not share microphones and will clean them at the end of the last service.

In His Grip,

The Trinity Leadership Teams

Key Resources Used (among others):

• “Returning to Church” from Wisconsin Council of Churches

• “Guidelines for Reopening and Returning to Church Buildings” from Georgia Baptists

• St Croix County Health Advisory, Sheriff's Department

• CDC Guidelines

• MN South District Guidelines

• Trinity Lutheran Church staff

• Discussion with SLT and DT