Pews in sunlight

News & Announcements

A view of the entrance to the sanctuary with tall white pillars

New COVID Safety Protocols

August 29, 2022

Dear Friends:

Session met to consider new COVID safety protocols, recommended by the Pandemic Task Force.

Taking into account the likelihood that COVID levels are unlikely to improve in the near future, combined with a strong desire to have a more “normal” worship experience moving into the fall, the following changes were approved, effective immediately:

  • According to the Centers for Disease Control, the COVID-19 Community Levels for both Baltimore and Howard counties is currently Medium. Consistent with CDC guidance, wearing a mask indoors is no longer required. Please be mindful, however, of the comfort of others and allow social distancing space whether you are wearing a mask or not. There are no restrictions on congregational singing.
  • The exception to the above rule will be the Adult Education classes in the library, which will be on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. Due to the size of this room, we will require masking and limit capacity to 25 people. The same holds for the France Room.
  • We will offer food for fellowship after the worship service. It will be served outside for as long as the weather allows and then we will move into Fellowship Hall. Windows will be opened and attendees can self-select if they wish to eat food on site or take a snack to go.
  • The Director of Music, Organist/Assistant Director of Music, and choir members will make their own decisions regarding practice location and the wearing of masks. Some might sing while masked if they prefer to do so.
  • Outside groups that use our facilities will create and follow their own safety guidelines.
  • The Task Force and Session will continue to monitor COVID-19 Community Levels and will adjust these guidelines as needed in the future.

We will follow up to gauge how this is going in a future weekly email or poll of the congregation.

Many thanks to the members of the Pandemic Task Force – Keith and Kathy Glennan, Kris Holmes, Susan Hutton, Melissa Lambdin, Dottie Marshall, and Nancy Miller – for their thoughtful guidance.

Peace,

Ken