Immanuel's council, during their May 18 meeting, resolve to update our COVID-19 Protocol in the following points:
Facemasks: Facemasks for vaccinated people are still encouraged. Facemasks are required for anyone in the congregation wishing to gently sing worship songs. (We're still not ready to sing robustly.)
Social Distancing and Lower Capacities:
Worship Space: 75 people maximum, sitting every other pew
Fellowship Hall: 100 people maximum
A hybrid combination of in-person and internet access used for many gatherings
Worship:
Limit mutual movement and contacts
Passing of peace done at distance
Offering plates at entrances (not passed)
Holy Communion distributed to people seated in pews
Song leaders may sing live with appropriate distance and shielding (e.g., facemasks)
Bulletins will return, but not as before, experimenting with formats for order of worship headings, scripture, prayer of intercession, and announcements printed in hard copy
Pew cushions will NOT return yet to ease sanitizing
Coffee hour following Sunday worship will return in June
Special functions:
Serving of food allowed for funeral gatherings (individually wrapped food vs buffet lines in practice)
Hall rentals may serve food
Obviously facemasks are dropped during eating/drinking