January 19, 2023
View UUMC Covid Protocols, Jan. 19, 2023
Know Your Covid-19 Community Level by County (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
The Covid Protocol Team has recommended to the UUMC Policy Governance Board that UUMC Covid protocol be updated. The Policy Governance Board approved the recommendation, which is effective immediately.
New protocol at UUMC is now: When Covid transmission in Ingham County is low or medium, masks at UUMC are optional, rather than recommended.
We will continue to monitor the county transmission, and local hospitalization numbers and we will make adjustments to the protocol if we are in the high-risk transmission category.
The updated UUMC Covid Protocol form University UMC as of January 19, 2023 is as follows:
Guiding Principles:
University UMC will continue to consult and be guided by best practices of the science of the Covid 19 Virus, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and Local County Health Department Guidelines, as well as Michigan State University Guidelines and any guidelines from the Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church. Protocols are updated as needed, based on local community risk provided by the CDC and then communicated to the congregation.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html
The safety and well-being of everyone in our faith community is the number one guiding principle.
The Director of Children and Youth Ministries has the authority to modify the protocol as needed for children and youth programming.
Decision Making and Communication of updates
University UMC has a small task group which includes a person with current medical expertise, as well as the lead pastor and several key staff members who meet as needed to review and update the COVID protocols. This task group then makes recommendations on the protocols to The Policy Governance Board for final approval. The information is then communicated to the congregation as a whole. Questions about the protocols can be made to the lead pastor, to be shared with the task group.
Mask Wearing indoors is optional.
University UMC recommends that mask wearing is optional as long as Ingham County transmission rates are medium or low. Currently, the risk is low as described by the CDC in Ingham County, Michigan. We continue to pay attention to and follow local, state, and federal guidance as well as the CDC. If the risk in the community increases, the task group will reconvene to revise the mask wearing policy and communicate it to the entire congregation.
Coffee and Coffee Hour and Coffee during worship is optional.
University UMC values hospitality. During warmer weather provides coffee and refreshments outside in the garden following the summer worship service. During the School year, coffee will be offered before the 9:30 traditional service and coffee and cookies offered in between the traditional service and the 11 a.m. REACH (Band led) service. Feel free to bring coffee into the sanctuary with you. Please deposit used coffee cups in the trash bins provided outside of the sanctuary doors.
Building Sign-in-No longer requested
Building sign-in is no longer required for contract tracing or attendance purposes.
To download a copy of the current Covid Protocols, click here.
Hard copies are also available at the Information Desk next to the church office suite.
At University United Methodist Church, we affirm that as disciples of Jesus Christ, we are an open and inclusive congregation and welcome all persons into full participation regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic situation, age, ability, education, background and whether single or partnered.