Category / Coronavirus News

by adminuucm

Update on UUCM’s Mask Policy for August-Labor Day

UUCM has guided its COVID safety practices using the CDC, MN Dept of Health, and UUA as resources. As COVID becomes a part of our ongoing life in community, UUCM will pilot a new mask policy for the rest of the summer that adjusts to the COVID data of our specific area. We will receive community feedback before finalizing our mask policy for the Fall.

For August-Labor Day: Signs will be clearly posted and adjusted for the three community risk levels detailed below. A notice will also be published in the weekly Friday Update email, so attendees can anticipate each Sunday’s masking guidelines. Continue reading →

by adminuucm

(Archive) In Person Worship and RE Have Resumed!

(Archive) We are pleased to share that UUCM reopened to in person worship and RE as of last Sunday. We will be building on our current safety practices by providing N95/KN95 masks for all RE classrooms and worship attendees who do not have their own. Thank you for your continued support and flexibility as we navigate this together as a safe, inclusive, and informed community.

The UUCM Board of Trustees and Rev. Lisa Friedman continue to strongly recommend the COVID-19 vaccine and booster for everyone that is eligible. (Please see the Community Section for financial incentives currently available in Minnesota.) This is the most important action we can all take for the safety of our community, especially our youngest children, and to address the strain on our health care system.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or if we can be of support in any way.

by adminuucm

(Archive) Current COVID Protocols for Sunday Morning

(Archive) See below for a reminder of the COVID procedures that are currently in place for Sunday mornings until further notice.

For adults attending the worship service:

  1. Masks will be required in the building. N95/KN95 masks are recommended and will be available for you if needed. We will be making a few exceptions for speakers and performers while they are on stage and at a distance from those in attendance.
  2. There will be no capacity restrictions.  All are welcome to attend in person. We will encourage social distancing and do what we can to manage the flow of people in our common areas. We ask that you stay at home and attend online if you are feeling unwell, experiencing symptoms of any kind, or waiting for test results.
  3. We will not be serving coffee and food after the service and we will encourage people to spread out to visit with each other outside or in the larger space of the sanctuary.

For those who are uncomfortable attending in person, we will continue to offer a Zoom option, which will include live video from the sanctuary. Check your Friday Update email for login information. For technical support, text your name to 612-486-2656 (or call) and a member of our team will help you.

For our children and youth, you can find more information in this article.

by adminuucm

(Archive) COVID Updates for the 2022 New Year

(Archive) With the positivity rate in Minnesota at the highest it has been at any point in the pandemic, we have made the difficult, but necessary decision to move to online worship and programming for the rest of January. Religious Education leaders are in conversation about how best to help students stay connected through virtual RE. Read below and view Rev. Lisa’s 1/12 Mid-Week Video Message for more details. 

For the past two years, we have been guided by the values of safety, inclusion, and consent in our COVID policies for our congregation and community. We have followed the science and the recommendations of the CDC and MDH. While we have rejoiced in the ability to offer an in person option and to pursue hybrid church, we must also consider the changing context around us in light of our values and care for one another.  Continue reading →

by adminuucm

(Archive) What You Can Expect at Church on September 19

(Archive) Fred Hulting and Rev. Lisa Friedman

We had a successful return to in-person Sunday Services last weekend, with about 50 people in the building and an equal number online.  A big thank you to our staff and volunteers for making everything run so smoothly.  To learn more about our approach to managing COVID as we return to the building, please read our welcome back article from September 12th.

This weekend we are very excited to welcome our children and youth back to in-person RE.  Jennifer and the CYRE team have been working closely with parents to develop new procedures for the classes and to create outdoor classrooms for grades 1-6.  This is a big milestone for our reopening, as our families have really been looking forward to getting back together at church. Continue reading →