February 16, 2022 mask update
My friends…
As you are aware, Session has followed guidance from Boulder County Health in making all COVID-related decisions since the onset of the pandemic. As you are also probably aware, Boulder County Health has lifted their mask mandate effective 5:00 p.m. this Friday, February 18, 2022.
Accordingly, Session has made the decision to no longer require that masks be worn inside any of our buildings for any church-related activity effective 5:00 p.m. this Friday, February 18, 2022. This includes Sunday morning worship.
Session encourages you to continue wearing a mask if you feel that remains the most appropriate action for you to take.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me or any Ruling Elder.
Grace and peace,
David
SEptember 5, 2021 a new mask mandate
My Friends,
In response to the mask mandate from Boulder County Health which went into effect this past Friday evening, Session met after worship this morning and made the decision to again require everyone to wear a mask while they are anywhere in our buildings. This decision is effective immediately and will continue until Boulder County Health lifts their mandate. The only exceptions to this requirement will be for those leading worship during certain parts of the service.
Session is exploring alternative ways for us, as a congregation, to have fellowship time after worship.
Our first priority always has been--and will continue to be--the health and welfare of all who call CENTRALongmont home and/or have need to be inside any of our buildings for any reason. Accordingly, any COVID-related decisions we've made have been tied to recommendations and mandates from the CDC, the state, and the county.
We all hoped we'd not find ourselves in this position again, but we do. As before, we will get through this together. Thank you for your understanding and patience.
Grace and peace,
David
AUgust 6, 2021 important message from session
Our friends in Christ:
We are all aware of the ongoing upsurge in COVID infections and the new challenges presented by the so-called delta variant. The fact we have returned to in-person worship and full opening of the church facilities to meetings, gatherings, etc. doesn't mean that we, the Session, are not remaining vigilant vis-a-vis COVID. Our number one priority remains the safety and welfare of all who think of CENTRALongmont as their church home and/or place of work.
We want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that we want you to feel comfortable whenever you're inside the church building. If this means you continue or return to wearing a mask, you should certainly feel free to do so.
We (and the Staff) will continue to monitor all COVID-related developments that impact our lives together here at CENTRALongmont.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to speak with any of us as Ruling Elders or with Pastor David.
In Christ,
The Session
june 23, 2021 additional changes to worship
Our friends in Christ:
Effective Sunday, June 27, 2021 we will return all remaining elements to Sunday worship: hymnals and fellowship pads, passing of collection plates, a Deacon available for prayer post-worship, etc.
Additionally, we will return to having fellowship time prior to and after worship in the fellowship hall.
We will continue to celebrate communion as we have since returning to in-person worship three weeks ago (cups w/gluten free crackers and juice, etc.).
If you have any questions or concerns, please speak with any Ruling Elder or Pastor David.
Grace and peace,
The Session
June 14, 2021 masks in sunday worship
Our friends in Christ:
In line with current CDC, State, and County decision to no longer require the wearing of face masks, we, the Session, have decided that beginning Sunday, June 20, 2021 individuals attending worship will no longer be required to wear a mask.
We continue to encourage those who are more comfortable wearing a mask to do so.
We will discuss the return of Fellowship Time before and after worship at our monthly stated meeting on Tuesday, June 22 and will inform you afterwards if there are any changes to our current protocols.
Grace and peace,
The Session
may 26, 2021
important changes to sunday worship
Our friends in Christ:
At our stated monthly meeting last evening, we, the Session, in response to changes in guidelines from the CDC, state, and county, made the following decisions about worship, effective Sunday, May 30, 2021:
- All individuals are welcome to attend worship; there will be no limit on the number of people who can attend and reservations will no longer be needed.
- Seating will be open: you may sit anywhere you choose in the sanctuary or overflow room.
- The congregation is invited to participate in all areas of the service where such participation is expected: singing, corporate and responsive prayer, the Welcome, etc.
- Prayer cards will return to the pews; they can be filled-out and placed in a basket on the communion table prior to or after the service. The prayer request may not be included in the Prayers of the People during worship but will appear on the weekly prayer list (unless requested not to).
- The offering will continue to be taken via plates adjacent to the exits (as opposed to passing the plates during worship itself).
- Communion on June 6 will be celebrated as it was on May 23 with elements in individual compostable cups at one of two stations at the front of the sanctuary and a station in the overflow room.
- There still will be no fellowship time or Sunday school.
- You will not have your temperature taken prior to entering the building but masks will continue to be required.
It is important to remember that we all continue to attend worship at our own risk. You should assume that you will be in the sanctuary with individuals who have not been vaccinated against COVID. Remember, too, that the windows will be open to facilitate air circulation which means that it may be cooler in the sanctuary than anticipated. You may wish to bring a sweater or jacket with you.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to speak with any Ruling Elder or Pastor David.
Grace and peace,
The Session
March 24, 2021
Re-Opening of CENTRALongmont Presbyterian Church
Session has made a number of decisions that we are pleased and excited to share with you. We made these decisions based on conditions and CDC, State, and County guidelines as they exist at this time. It may be necessary to change any or all the decisions if conditions or guidelines change. It is also likely that, with experience, we’ll alter our practices and procedures to ensure the best, safest experience for everyone. We urge you to read all church-related communications each week in case there are changes or new information.
Worship
We will return to in-person worship in the Sanctuary and Overflow room Sunday, May 23, 2021. Fittingly, this is Pentecost Sunday.
In accordance with current CDC, State, and County guidelines about public meetings in enclosed spaces that limit us to using no more than 50% of our seating capacity in order to maintain social distancing, worship attendance will initially be limited to 75 people. With experience, if it appears we can seat more people while adhering to guidelines, we will increase the maximum number of attendees.
A reservation will be required to attend worship each week and, to maintain required social distancing, you’ll be asked to sit only in designated places in the pews/chairs. You will be able to make a reservation each week online and by phone. If you arrive to worship without a reservation, you’ll be seated on a space-available basis. Reservations open May 10.
While everyone will be welcome to attend worship, we continue to encourage that you be vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible. We recognize some of you cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons while others are choosing not to be vaccinated for personal reasons. Whether you have or have not been vaccinated, you will be required to wear a mask at all times you are in the building. The only exception to this is Lee, Shirley, and David who will remove their masks in order to lead worship.
The worship service itself in terms of the liturgy and Order of Worship will be similar to what it was prior to our closing but there will be some differences. We will celebrate the Sacrament of Communion but we’ll remain seated and use sealed “communion packets” that contain juice and a wafer. There will be music, including hymns, but no choir and no congregational singing (you can hum if you like 😊). There will be no Time With Our Children or Passing of the Peace. We will continue our practice of projecting announcements, the liturgy, and hymn lyrics on the overhead screens.
Sanctuary and overflow room windows and doors will be opened a sufficient amount to meet guidelines for air circulation. Because spring temperatures can still be cool we encourage you to dress accordingly.
In lieu of a nursery/cry room, we anticipate that individuals with small children will be able to watch an audio/video feed of the worship service in Fellowship Hall. This option will be available ONLY to individuals with small children.
There will be no fellowship time before or after worship and no in-person Christian Education offerings on Sunday mornings. We’ll also ask that you avoid congregating in groups anywhere in the building, reserving conversations for outside.
Worship will be livestreamed for the benefit of those who can’t or choose not to attend in-person services. This means you’ll be able to watch the service online as it is happening in the Sanctuary. Recordings of the livestream feed of each service will also be posted online, likely on Monday, that you can watch at any time. Please be aware that the livestream will utilize a single camera focused primarily on the chancel. Please click here to view the livestream on Sunday mornings.
The sanctuary and overflow room will be cleaned and disinfected each week as part of the overall cleaning of the church by our professional cleaning service.
Please understand that as careful as we’re being, no matter how many precautions we take we cannot guarantee that attending worship will be completely safe. If you choose to attend in-person worship you do so at your own risk. If we learn that someone attending a service subsequently tests positive for COVID, the congregation will be notified.
Group and Committee Meetings
Church groups and committee meetings and outside groups will be allowed to begin meeting at the church beginning Monday, May 24, 2021. A reservation will be required for each meeting and, initially, all meetings must be held in Fellowship Hall. This will permit groups to maintain social distancing and open windows for air circulation. Masks must be worn by all meeting participants at all times. The Fellowship Hall Kitchen will not be available.
More information will follow as it becomes available. In the meantime, as always, feel free to contact any Ruling Elder (password protected contact list) or Pastor David if you have questions or concerns.
When we closed some 13 months ago, we never anticipated the church would be closed as long as it has. We know this has worked a hardship on all of us and we want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your patience and understanding during this time. From the beginning, our every decision has been made in the interest of the health and safety of you, the congregation. The situation with COVID remains fluid, and we ask that you continue to be patient going forward as we continue to work and discern the Lord’s leading for CENTRALongmont on your behalf.
We are so excited this moment has arrived and look forward to being together as we appropriately can.
Blessings,
The Ruling Elders of CENTRALongmont Presbyterian Church
Lisa Bechard Phil Goerner Martha Ramos
Cheryl Bodin Ashley Inguagiato Diane Roggow
Carol Edwards Linda Parker Greg Smoot