COVID Update 9/12/2021

The OFLC Council has reviewed the recent CDC guidance recommending masking indoors regardless of vaccination status.  Based on this guidance and the continued spread of the Delta variant, we are implementing the following expectations while at OFLC:
  • To be consistent with what youth experience in school, the decision to mask or not at church for children will be made by parents or guardians.
  • All OFLC staff and volunteers working directly with youth are required to wear masks.  This includes worship, Sunday school, Engage & Confirm, and any similar group meeting with youth.
  • Masks are also recommended for all adults regardless of vaccination status while indoors.
These changes are intended to help keep the youngest of our congregation safe while vaccines are not yet available for them.
We expect recommendations to continue to evolve until the pandemic is fully resolved and will provide updates as changes occur.  OFLC Council will also continue to assess as new information is available and during our regularly scheduled meetings.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or any member of the OFLC Council.

​Groups Gathering for the Remainder of 2021

As the 2021-22 School Year starts and activities pick up in the fall, we are providing the following information to groups considering using Our Father’s Lutheran Church as a gathering space.  The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a fluid situation, and while there is concrete information coming from the science and health experts, there is much confusion in the interpretation of that information.  The purpose of this document is to provide concrete information on conducting gatherings at OFLC.
  • Masking during Gatherings. Evidence shows that people at the greatest risk for infection and serious illness are those who are unvaccinated.[1] Especially at risk are those under the age of 12 and over the age of 60.  While OFLC will never ask a person what their vaccination status is, in order to protect those in the identified age ranges, any gathering that has persons under the age of 12 or over the age of 60 will be required to wear masks while indoors.

  • Food and Drink.  At this time, OFLC continues to minimize risk of infection by asking any food consumed indoors be pre-prepared and brought to the church, ready to serve.  It is strongly recommended that use of pre-wrapped or pre-sealed food and beverage items be utilized.  Food may be served to individuals, provided those serving wear latex serving gloves AND wear a mask to prevent contamination of food.

  • There is no limit to the amount of people in a gathering, per CDC guidance. 

  • If all persons attending a gathering are vaccinated, then, upon the agreement of the group, masks do not need to be worn.  It is encouraged to wear masks, however, due to the highly contagious nature of current COVID-19 strains that are affecting vaccinated people.
OFLC reserves the right to change these guidelines at any time, based on the recommendations of the CDC and local, state, and federal laws and directives.

​Update on In-person gathering at OFLC

The Executive Committee met to discuss the recent changes from the CDC, Federal, and State governments regarding COVID safety protocols. Starting next Sunday, May 30th, the following changes will be made:
  • Masks are no longer required for those who have been fully vaccinated. Those who have not been vaccinated should continue to wear their mask. All tape barriers will be removed. Congregational singing is permitted as long as congregants wear masks. Worship attendance is back to 100% capacity. We will continue to take info for contact tracing purposes.
  • On May 27th, group size limits will be removed for all other gatherings.
  • We do ask, however, that all practice good love of each other as we realize some may make the choice to maintain distance and wear a mask going forward. We trust our OFLC community will do this well, as we always have!
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to a member of the Executive Committee or Pastor Aaron.

​ A note about COVID protocols and meeting in the church: 

With groups beginning to meet in person in the church building and with recent guidance being released by the CDC this week about mask wearing, we want to clarify and remind everyone of OFLC’s policies. The CDC, Federal, and State guidelines still require wearing masks indoors, regardless if everyone has been vaccinated or not. This is also OFLC’s current policy at this time, regardless of the group’s size or vaccination status. As an aid, check out this handy chart from the CDC.

​If you should have any questions, please see Pastor Aaron. Thanks! ~ OFLC Council

COVID-19 Precautions

Grace and peace!  As a community of faith, we are called to “bear one another’s burdens, for in that way you fulfill the Law of Christ.” (Gal. 6:2)  During this time of the pandemic, this is especially true. We are continuing to monitor all guidelines issued by the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health to help us strike a balance between our desire for physical togetherness and our need to keep everyone safe. The following are just a few of the precautions we are taking to help extend safety and options for our parishioners and friends: 
  • Masks covering your mouth and nose are required at all times while inside the church building
  • The pews and seats have been cordoned off and spaced appropriately to ensure proper social distancing
  • Sanitation wipes are offered at the end of each service so you can thoughtfully sanitize your seating area after each visit
Please click on the link below for more details about steps leadership has taken in order to keep everyone safe, but still continue to minister to people’s needs at this time. If you should have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Pastor Aaron or Melissa. Thanks!

​OFLC New Restrictions & Protocols

Palm Cross – COVID Procedure: 

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Palm Crosses are a valued tradition at OFLC and a way we extend care and support to those in need. During this time, our original way of utilizing the palm crosses is not COVID-safe. So in order to ensure we can continue this practice, we are resuming our practice as follows:

- If someone would like to request a Palm Cross for someone, they may contact Melissa in the Office, or Norie Siers, Congregational Care Coordinator. Please give the name of the person you are requesting a Palm Cross for, and your name.

- Palm Crosses for those people will be displayed in the sanctuary on Sunday, and prayed over by the congregation. The Palm Crosses will then be properly sanitized and packaged in order to be delivered to the person to receive it. You will be contacted by either Norie or Melissa to let you know the cross is ready for pick up at the church so that you can deliver it to the person.

- If the cross is presented to the person while they are present in worship, it will be properly sanitized and given to the person by the service coordinators, or another worship leader.