Dear all,

As the incidence of COVID-19 continues to rise in Cuyahoga County and throughout the State of Ohio, I have made the decision to suspend in-person worship as long as our county remains in the Red or the Purple category. This decision is consistent with our policy that was in place prior to our going back to in-person worship this Autumn. As a Christian community, I believe that we should model what it means to care for our neighbor, including the most vulnerable among us. One way that we can do this is to follow the recommendation of Governor Michael DeWine and public health officials that public gatherings of any size be avoided while the pandemic is at this critical stage in our area.                                                      

 

We have adopted the following guidelines for our future resumption of in-person worship and ministry events. Holy Communion will be available for individual reception by appointment with me. Please email me or call my cell phone should you like to receive the Blessed Sacrament. It is our hope that we will soon move back into the Orange Phase and resume in-person worship as we have been doing for the last few months. In the meantime, let us hope and fervently pray for one another during this difficult and unprecedented time. While we are not physically together, we are bound together as members of the Body of Christ. These bonds remain and will continue to sustain us in this time of travail and suffering. God is in our midst and we shall not be moved.

 

Faithfully,

The Rev. David R. Radzik, Rector

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St. Thomas Episcopal Church COVID-19 Re-Opening Plan

 

Goal: To provide for the safety of St. Thomas members, visitors, staff and those that use our building as we transition to a new normal. Transition from one level to another will be determined by the Rector, in consultation with the Wardens, according to both the current Public Health Advisory Level in Cuyahoga County AND a 14-day sustained decrease in new cases. It is expected that all who enter our building will adhere to these procedures for the health and safety of everyone.

 

 

Level 3 Purple/Red;            Closure, Online Only

Level 2 Ð Orange;                 Small Groups

Level 1 - Yellow; Larger Gatherings & Outside Groups

Green; New Normal

Overview

á    All non-critical gatherings cancelled or held virtually.

á    Essential Workers Only.

á    Face Masks are required.

á    Social Distancing.

Overview

á      Begin allowing small gatherings according to state guidelines.

á      Face Masks are required

á      Social Distancing.

á      High Risk Individuals continue to shelter in place.

Overview

á      Begin allowing larger gatherings according to state and reopening team guidelines.

á      Face Masks are required.

á      Social Distancing.

á      High Risk Individuals continue to shelter in place.

Overview

á      The New Normal.

á      Continue to monitor the situation and information from the BishopÕs Office, the GovernorÕs office and Federal, State and local health departments.

Worship

á    Complete Virtual Worship.

á    Minimize the number of people in building.

Worship

á      Virtual options still available.

á      Possible limited in-person worship.

á      In-person worship would be limited to no more than 34 people, reservation required.

á      Face masks, temperature checks, and distancing required. Hand sanitizer will be available.

á      Signage will direct traffic flow through the building.

á      No choir or corporate singing.

á      No-touch greeting, etc.

á      No Coffee Hour.

Worship

á      Virtual options still available.

á      Limited in-person worship indoors (no more than 34 people)

á      Face masks, temperature checks, and distancing are required. Hand sanitizer will be available.

á      Signage will direct traffic flow through the building.

á      No choir or corporate singing.

á      No-touch greeting, etc.

á      No Coffee Hour.

Worship

á      Virtual options still available.

á      Begin New Normal worship with changes and modifications in sacraments, potentially time and number of services, and set up of worship spaces.

á      Coffee Hour may return with modifications.

Outside Groups/Building

á    All building activities and groups that meet in the building are cancelled.

á    The building is locked and used very minimally by staff.

Outside Groups/Building

á      Small groups (10 or less) may begin to gather at the discretion of the Rector/Wardens.

á      This is limited by our capability to clean/sanitize spaces.

Outside Groups/Building

á      Larger groups will be scheduled according to the current state regulations and the recommendation of the Rector/Wardens/Vestry

á      Establish building guidelines.

á      Outside groups Ð limited by our capability to clean/sanitize spaces as well as no cases of COVID-19.

Outside Groups/Building

á      Cautiously begin full rental of building.

á      Meals permitted in building again.

á      Continue to monitor our ability to clean and keep space safe for all.

Small Groups/Children/Youth 

á    All Small Groups cancelled or held virtually where able.

á    Only essential, mission activities may occur with a limited, consistent team.

Small Groups/Children/Youth

á    Small Group Gatherings (10 or less) may resume at the discretion of the Rector/Wardens.

á    Virtual gatherings continue.

Small Groups/Children/Youth

á      Small Groups continue as in Level 2 with adjustments made to number of people according to state regulations and the recommendation of the Rector/Wardens/Vestry

á      Consider various options for children and youth.

Small Groups/Children/Youth

á      Begin resuming more normal activities and groups.

á      Continue to monitor and to offer virtual gatherings or options.

Staff

á    Essential staff, pastor, & program staff will primarily work from home.

Staff

á    Same as Level 3.

Staff

á      Same as Level 2.

Staff

á      Staff continues to work in the new normal with more availability to church office.