Test Driving Theology

Trinity’s leadership has drafted a tentative plan to reopen our building and to prepare for when we can meet, talk and worship together again face-to-face.  We are looking forward to the day when we are able to worship together again!  We know that the church is built on relationships, centered on the grace and love of Jesus Christ.

At the same time, is is imperative that Trinity has a plan to safely reopen, and to protect the safety of God’s people.

The congregational council reached consensus on this plan on Sunday afternoon.  The plan is in five stages. The criteria used to develop this plan include:

1. Fulfilling the mission to which God has called us (“Through Jesus’ love, we welcome, connect, learn and serve”).
2. The safety and well-being of our congregation and community.
3. The desire of our congregation to be “together” again.
4. The stability and sustainability of the congregation

Data used in developing this reopening plan has come from the Governor’s office, the Minnesota Department of Health, the CDC, the synod office and the ELCA, as well as best practices from other large ELCA congregations.

Except for stage 1, we do not yet have specific dates or even triggers for each stage. The timing for shifts from stage to stage will be informed by limitations and dates set by the Governor, the State Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control. So this plan is subject to change.

We also recognize that stepping in to these stages might be a “back and forth” process. Depending on recommendations, we may need to move backwards before moving forward again.

Stage 1

Effective June 1, 2020, the Trinity office will reopen.

• Administrative Assistant and Administrator will work out of the main office
• Other staff will be in the building only as needed
• Volunteers for food ministry in and out as needed
• Otherwise, building still closed and unused areas that have been sanitized will remain sealed off
• worship will continue via live-streaming
• Members of our community are encouraged to continue personal preparedness, by washing hands, avoiding touching our faces, etc…
• Physically vulnerable individuals are strongly encouraged to stay home
• Staff will be expected to wear masks when interacting with others in close proximity
• The staff will create team to set expectations and a process for moving to Stage 2
  • The staff will continue to consult with local medical experts as we move forward, and the staff will make the decision when to move to stage 2

Stage 2

• Trinity’s building will reopen on a limited basis
• Adult small group meetings allowed, up to Governor’s limits on group sizes & social distancing
• Trinity’s meeting rooms will be sanitized immediately after use
• Public spaces (narthex, restrooms, etc…) will be cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis
• Visitors in the building are strongly encouraged to wear masks as they interact. Masks will be available at the building entries
• Members of our community are encouraged to continue personal preparedness, by washing hands, avoiding touching our faces, etc…
• Physically vulnerable individuals, or those who are showing any kind of symptoms are strongly encouraged to stay home
• While staff may continue working from home, they are also welcome to work in their office space
• Staff will be expected to wear masks when interacting with others in close proximity (as per the Dept. of Health recommendations)
• Trinity’s building hosts resume work on evenings when there are groups scheduled
• Trinity’s staff will create a team to set expectations and process for Stage 3
  • We will continue to consult with local medical experts as we move forward
  • Trinity congregational council and staff will make the decision when to move to stage 3

Stage 3

• Face-to face worship resumes (within the limitations of group size & social distancing set by the Governor)
  • We will possibly split worship into 2 locations and/or times for social distancing (Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall)
  • Communion is served using strict safety protocols
  • Hymnals and Bibles will be removed from Sanctuary. Instead, we will print all necessary materials on paper for one-time usage.
  • Congregational singing would depend on current recommendations from MN Dept. of Health
  • We will receive our offering in plates set by the doors, to avoid passing the plates.
  • Children are welcome to worship with their families
    • Nursery care will not yet be available
  • Those who are physically vulnerable to the virus are asked to continue staying at home and worshipping online
• Members of our community are encouraged to continue personal preparedness, by washing hands, avoiding touching our faces, etc…
• Staff will be expected to wear masks when interacting with others in close proximity (as per the Dept. of Health recommendations)
• Other large events in the building may resume (within the limitations of group size & social distancing set by the Governor)
  • Food service for these events will not be available yet
• Weddings and funerals can resume (within the limitations of group size & social distancing set by the Governor)
• Sunday school, Trinity U and confirmation resume (within the limitations of group size & social distancing set by the Governor)
• Trinity Nursery School can resume face-to-face programming (within the limitations of group size & social distancing set by the Governor)
• The staff will create a team to set expectations and process for Stage 4
  • We will continue to consult with local medical experts as we move forward
  • Trinity staff will make the decision when to move to stage 4

Stage 4

• Large events that include food service may resume
• Wednesday night dinners may be served face-to-face
• Meals of Hope may be served face-to-face
• Sunday morning donuts and coffee resume
• The staff will create team to set expectations and process for Stage 5
  • We will continue to consult with local medical experts as we move forward
  • We will continue to seek input from other community organizations (Owatonna School District, other congregations, etc…)
  • Trinity staff will make the decision when to move to stage 5

Stage 5

• Trinity’s programming will resume as normal
• Nursery/childcare available during worship