Here are some answers to questions around our reopening. Click on the question to jump to the answer. If you don’t see your question below, please contact one of our staff and we’ll do our best to answer it!
- What is guiding decisions about when and how to reopen?
- Who makes decisions about when and how to reopen?
- What steps are in place to make attending worship and other activities at WBUUC as safe as possible?
- Why isn’t vaccination isn’t on the list of requirements?
- What is the status about live vocal and wind instrumental music? What’s the plan for Choir?
- When do the worship services take place?
- Are both virtual services “live” or is the 11:00 service a recording of the 9:00 service?
- What is different about in-person and virtual services?
- Are the TV screens here to stay?
- Is pre-registration required for in-person worship and other activities?
- Can we still park in the District Education Center at the corner of Maple and Mahtomedi?
- What’s happening with Religious Education?
- Some folks like Cyber Social Hour way more than the old in-person Social Hour. Will in-person Social Hour be any different than it used to be?
- Are small groups meeting at church?
- Will this be a flawless transition to both in-person and virtual worship?
- Where do I go with feedback and suggestions?
- How will I know what’s going on?
What is guiding decisions about when and how to reopen?
We are guided by our Unitarian Universalist values–particularly courage, reverence, and compassion–and our deep commitment to inclusion and prioritizing the most marginalized among us. The most important factor is scientific/medical information. We are especially reliant on the CDC, Minnesota Department of Health, and several WBUUC members who are in the medical field. We are also paying attention to recommendations from the Unitarian Universalist Association. Our commitment to inclusion and prioritizing the most marginalized among us motivates our decision to keep virtual services as we reopen in-person worship. This gives everyone–worship contributors as well as attendees–the option to choose what works best for them.
Who makes decisions about when and how to reopen?
Following the principles outlined above and with reference to scientific/medical recommendations as well as in consultation with our Board of Directors and staff, our Interim Lead Minister makes the decision. Rev. Roger works with staff and committees like the Worship Advisory Committee to figure out how to reopen.
What steps are in place to make attending worship and other activities at WBUUC as safe as possible?
We are requiring everyone age 3 and up to be masked at all times in the building. Staff members may be unmasked if they’re working alone in their own office. We are requiring at least 6 feet of social distancing for everyone unless in a family/pod. Each in-person event has a required check-in process for contact tracing purposes. Pre-registering for events helps us streamline this process, but is not required. We will continue to keep worship services shorter than pre-COVID so the Sanctuary has some time to “air out” between services.
Worship / event contributors will unmask only when they are speaking.
We will not pass the offering plate; folks can always text-to-give or mail in a check or leave it in the locked box outside the front office. We have installed better filtration in the Sanctuary and some other parts of the building. HVAC improvements throughout the building are ongoing. Coffee and limited snacks will be occasionally provided, and folks are asked to mask between bites / sips. Finally, we are asking anyone who has COVID symptoms or may have been exposed to COVID to participate virtually rather than in-person.
Why isn’t vaccination isn’t on the list of requirements?
We do not want to exclude children under five and those over five who should not get the vaccine for health reasons. Since staff spend more time in the church and interact with a lot of people, we are requiring staff to provide proof of vaccination. We are also requiring vaccination for certain kinds of volunteers–Religious Education teachers/facilitators, song leaders, and lay worship contributors. We are committed to provide worship and programs both virtually and in-person and to empower our people to choose the format that works best for them.
What is the status about live vocal and wind instrumental music? What’s the plan for Choir?
We will have live vocal and wind instrumental music when the medical/scientific information says it’s safe to do so. We don’t know when that will be. We will have instrumental music, including hymns. This will be a challenge for in-person attenders: they may hum along with mouths closed, but not sing even though they’re masked. We’re hoping that we can all handle this–it’s the only way we will have hymns before live vocal music is allowed. Our Choir and the amazing volunteer directors and leaders are working with Carol Caouette and, when they are on-board, our new Music Directors Olivia Diercks and Karla Colahan, to figure out creative ways to have the Choir present, including audio and/or audio-visual virtual choir pieces.
When do the worship services take place?
We have virtual and in-person services on Sundays at 9 and 11am.
Are both virtual services “live” or is the 11:00 service a recording of the 9:00 service?
Yes! If you attend the 11:00 AM service virtually, you will be watching the 11 service live-streamed.
What is different about in-person and virtual services?
In-person worship looks and feel somewhat different from pre-COVID in-person services. Our technology upgrade allows for our online viewers to see more of the sanctuary, and in-person attendees will also see the same video feed that our online viewers are watching. In-person attenders may notice the presence of more technology, including cameras, a tech booth, and two TV screens. All of this is necessary to be able to do quality live-streaming. The TV screens will also give us more creative options for incorporating multimedia contributions, including guest musicians.
Are the TV screens here to stay?
Yes. These moveable TV screens make it possible to do both in-person and live-stream services, and we plan to do these for the foreseeable future–even after COVID shifts to being a less significant, endemic threat.
Is pre-registration required for in-person worship and other activities?
While pre-registration is not required anymore, it still speeds up the in-person check-in process that is required so that we can do contact tracing. Pre-registration links for upcoming services will be available in the weekly eNews and here. Please contact a staff member if you need assistance pre-registering.
How do I pre-register for in-person worship or another activity?
Registration links for upcoming services will be available in the weekly eNews and on our website (add link). Please contact a staff member if you need assistance registering.
Can we still park in the District Education Center at the corner of Maple and Mahtomedi?
Yes, we are still welcome to use the District Education Center parking lot on Sunday mornings. However, due to COVID precautions, we will not have the shuttle operate.
What’s happening with Religious Education?
Religious Education for children and youth will also look a little different this year: Whether you plan to join us in person or on Zoom, we warmly welcome and encourage all ages to join us each week for multigenerational worship. Together, we will grow our souls through stories, lessons, and music in a community of all ages. After worship on Sundays, circles just for children and youth will also be available during our in-person social hour time.
Beginning in March, Religious Education programming will be offered during the 11am worship service only for ages 5 and up. Registration is required: https://wbuuc.breezechms.com/form/21-22RE29
In addition, other small classes and groups are currently meeting virtually and in person; including youth groups, Our Whole Lives, Third Thursdays for ages 60+, and more. Check the website and enews for updates and registration.
Some folks like Cyber Social Hour way more than the old in-person Social Hour. Will in-person Social Hour be any different than it used to be?
Yes! We’ve heard so many people talk about how much they like Cyber Social Hour’s greater intimacy and opportunity to get to know new people. We also understand our old model of Social Hour to be one of the biggest obstacles that new members face in finding a sense of belonging within our WBUUC community. Our new model of Social Hour incorporates in-person and virtual participants. It begins with a formalized 20-minute session of introductions and sharing in randomized small groups, followed by a more informal time of sharing and mingling. This may take place outside as the weather allows.
Are small groups meeting at church?
Yes. While many groups and classes are meeting virtually right now, some small groups are meeting in-person at WBUUC, following updated COVID safety protocols. Check the eNews for more details about classes and groups. If your group wants to meet in-person, contact Anna Gehres for scheduling that meeting.
Will this be a flawless transition to both in-person and virtual worship?
NO! This is one thing about which we can be certain. We are reinventing how we do church on the fly. This will need to be a work in progress. The best thing all of us can do is act and speak as compassionately and patiently as possible with one another.
Where do I go with feedback and suggestions?
Staff members welcome your feedback and suggestions. We also ask you to be patient–there is a lot on all of our plates right now. Also know that there are a multitude of opinions in the church. This is a beautiful thing–and it asks each of us to realize that more than likely, there will be folks who feel differently from us.
How will I know what’s going on?
As always, the best source for weekly news is the eNews that comes out every Wednesday. Sign up here! Also stay tuned for social media, video, and other forms of communication.