Summer 2022 Update

Covid Protocol Change

The Hamline Church COVID Response Team continues to work with the Church Council to monitor current conditions. The Response Team will re-evaluate conditions at the August 23 Church Council meeting.  Until then, Hamline Church will:

• Suspend indoor coffee hour, move coffee hour and other church-related events with food outside.
• Recommend masks (high quality) for groups of 6 or more meeting indoors. Open windows for ventilation, if possible, consider meeting outdoors.
• Continue policies of adult masking in the presence of children, and masking of children as age appropriate.

03.24.2022 Update
COVID-19 Mask Policy Update – Effective 4/1

Dear Hamline Church,

On Tuesday, March 22, the Church Council met and reviewed our current COVID-19 protocols. After consulting with medical professionals, and reviewing CDC and MDH guidelines, the Church Council decided to change our current COVID-19 protocols to “Masks welcome, but not required” effective April 1.

We understand this is a big shift, however over the past month we have seen a significant decrease in coronavirus infection rates over a sustained period of time. We have reached a positive test infection rate of 2.7% in Ramsey County, 76% of eligible residents are fully vaccinated, and the updated CDC guidance labels Ramsey County as “low risk.”

While we know that reporting is not perfect, the CDC risk assessments takes into account data including infection rates and hospitalizations and beds available. With our current low infection rate and high vaccination rate (both in our county and especially high among our church members!), along with the CDC guidance, we felt comfortable making a change to our current practices.

We will watch the CDC risk level assessment weekly and if Ramsey County returns to a “medium” risk level, we will return to masks required in the building.

We also know that this may feel uncomfortable for some. We hope to create an environment that is respectful and safe, while following current medical guidance and allowing for individual choice. If someone is masked, consider allowing for more physical distance when choosing a pew or when engaged in conversation out of respect for one another’s comfort levels.

Please continue to wear masks this Sunday, March 27 to allow us time to get the word out and make necessary adjustments.

Starting April 1:

• We welcome people to wear masks, but masks are not required. We hope that we will each respect one another other’s comfort levels.
• We expect all eligible members of our community to be vaccinated.
• Anyone who is sick is asked to please stay home and join in worship online.
• We will continue to ask all staff, volunteers and children (as they are able), to mask in the Frolic room/nursery since our youngest community members are not able to be vaccinated. Children’s ministry staff and volunteers will also be masked during Sacred Studio and other indoor events with children under 5.
• We will be watching weekly and may decide with very short notice to return to masking in the building.
• Singing in worship is allowed – masks welcome but not required. We will still not be physically “passing the peace” or the offering plates.

I continue to give thanks for the incredible, grace-filled response of the Hamline Church community over the past two years as we have navigated the covid pandemic and necessary safety protocols.  Your care, concern and love for one another and our neighbors has been evidence throughout these trying times. I am so grateful to be a part of this community and continue to hold you and our evolving situation in my prayers.

Blessings and love,
Pastor Mariah

01.28.2022 Update

• On Sunday, February 6 we will resume offering both in person and online worship in accordance with our Covid safety precautions:
  Vaccinations required for all who are eligible, masks required and N95 masks strongly recommended, stay home if you’re sick, wash hands or sanitize frequently, practice physical distancing in the sanctuary, no eating inside, and singing with masks only.
• Small groups and programming are allowed to resume meeting in person at the discretion of the group leader. 
• Children’s Sunday morning spiritual formation will continue online for children ages 2 through 6th grade from 9:15-9:40 online, then join us for worship in-person or online at 10am. 
• Childcare will be available during in-person worship for children 5 and under.

Free Masks!
N95 or KN95 masks have proven to be the most effective mask to wear in preventing the spread of Covid. We highly recommend that everyone wear a N95 or KN95 mask while in the church building. The Hamline Church Council is making free masks available for our community and building users. Stop by the church office on Sunday mornings to pick up a mask. Children’s sizes will also be available.
If you would like a mask to be sent to you – please contact Maureen Freberg (mfreberg@hamlinechurch.org) in the church office.

01.10.2022 Update

Dear Hamline Church,

Due to the current COVID surge, we will move worship and programming online for the rest of January upon the recommendation of our Bishop David Bard and the Minnesota Annual Conference.

Sunday School/Sacred Studio, Confirmation, youth activities, small groups and classes, large meetings, and Chancel Choir, will move online or be paused through January.  We will creatively find ways to remain connected and continue in ministry. The leader(s) of your programs/groups will be in contact in coming days with logistical information.

For now, the church office and building will remain open as usual.  If you need to contact the church office, we encourage you to call or email, if possible, to help limit in-person traffic or please keep your visit or drop-off short. Masks are always required in the building. We ask that any in-person meetings be limited to 5 people.

Our Hamline Church leadership is watching the situation closely and will keep the congregation apprised of any changes to our protocol through email and social media.
At the Church Council meeting on January 25th, we will determine next steps for February.

I know that this is not where any of us wanted to be at this point. I am hopeful that this will be a short-term situation, as it is expected that the surge should peak this month. I continue to remain grateful that our Hamline Church community is committed to the health and safety of our church and our neighbors. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

These words from Bishop Bard offer us assurance for these difficult times and are a reminder of why we are called to make these hard decisions, “Friends, I continue to believe that by God’s grace we can muster the resilience, the kindness, and the determination to do what needs to be done to navigate this pandemic. As followers of Jesus, we can and should lead in promoting public health, furthering the common good, and caring for the well-being of others. When we act out of love for neighbor and care for our community, we offer a powerful witness to the grace of God in Jesus Christ. We allow the light of epiphany to shine more brightly in our world.”

Grace and Peace,

Rev Mariah Furness Tollgaard

December 2021 Update

Worship continues in person at Hamline Church 10am on Sundays and online at 10am and on demand at hamlinechurch.org/live-stream.

Thank you for observing the following COVID precautions:
Vaccinations required for all who are eligible, masks required, stay home if you’re sick, wash hands or sanitize frequently, practice physical distancing in the sanctuary, no eating inside, and singing with masks only.

Covid Protocol Update: Congregational Singing at Hamline Church
Because Hamline Church United Methodist has a highly vaccinated population, Ramsey County’s vaccination rate is now above 70 percent, and masks have been proven effective in preventing the spread and transmission of Covid 19 even when singing, you are invited to sing the congregational service music and hymns with your masks on.

Please continue to observe Hamline Church’s Covid Safety Protocols including: vaccines required for all eligible, wear a mask properly, stay home when sick, please space yourself and your group from others, wash hands frequently.

This decision is based on guidance from the MN Department of Health, “Recommendations for Music and Activities and Performances During Covid 19” – June 30,2021 “When conducting activities that involve risk of COVID-19 transmission, such as congregational signing, faith-based settings with mixed populations of vaccinated and unvaccinated people should recommend that attendees wear face coverings. At minimum, these settings should create an environment that supports those who want to wear a face covering. This is especially important when some attendees have weaker immune systems or are at high risk of infection and severe disease.”
We have also been following guidance from professional music organizations about safety and best practices.

Additional information:
Simple safety measures reduce musical COVID-19 transmission -CU Boulder 

COVID Re-Gathering Plan Update 

Summer 2021 Update

In person, outdoor worship Summer 2021

Hamline Church Council anticipates a gradual return to in person worship this summer. Outdoor worship will begin on the front lawn on Sundays at 10am starting June 20.  The worship service will continue to be live-streamed as usual to hamlinechurch.org/live-stream as well as on Facebook and YouTube. 

Hamline Church Summer Reopening Plans

Download a PDF of the Summer Reopening plans

What to expect from outdoor worship
COVID precautions will be followed including:

• Masks optional outside, masks required indoors
• Physical distancing 
• Hand sanitizing stations will be provided 
• No coffee or food will be served – though you may bring your own beverage. 
• Bring your own lawn chair or blanket 
• The building will be open to allow access to restrooms 

What about the weather?
In case of inclement weather – people should stay home and worship leaders will live stream from the Sanctuary without a congregation. An announcement will be made by 8:00am and sent out to the congregation in email and published on social media in the case of needing to have online worship only. 

Can I Help?
Yes! We will only be able to have in person worship if we have sufficient volunteers. We need volunteers to help with greeting, worship set-up and take down, running sound and technology, readers during worship, musicians and more. If you can help – please contact: Mo (mfreberg@hamlinechurch.org) or Heather (hgrantham@hamlinechurch.org).

Radical Hospitality Team
Set up, Take down, Greeting folks as they arrive, Directing traffic, COVID Safety Awareness

Tech Crew
We’re looking for volunteers interested in learning to run our sound and/or video equipment for worship services, funerals, and other events. Whether it’s just for this summer or becoming a regular part of our team, we’d love to have you join us. Contact Walker (wbrault@hamlinechurch.org) for more information or to sign up.

Online Connectors
Greet folks as they start worshiping on Facebook and YouTube; Ask for prayer concerns to pass along to Care Team; Host Zoom Coffee 1/2 hour

SPROUT Garden Gurus
Escort kids from front lawn to SPROUT Garden; Read kids a story and/or help with garden tasks from Amy Schultz and Kathy Evenson-Mcdermott; Deliver garden produce to Hamline Midway Elders occasionally

What do we need from you?

• Wear a face mask
• Stay home if you are sick or exposed
• Practice physical distancing

November 2020 Update

• Re-entry Guidelines 2020
• Re-entry FAQ
• Re-entry Resources
• COVID safety measures for outside groups

Hamline Church has supported this event for many years through the Keystone Community Services on University Avenue in St. Paul. This year we will also share the 25% of the money collected with Interfaith Action’s Department of Indian Work food shelf. In March we collect food every Sunday during worship or, in the designated boxes near the office in the commons and downstairs near the elevator. In March all amounts of money and food (each pound of food is given a 1 dollar value for this purpose), will be matched by the statewide agencies and given to each local center according to the amount they have collected.  Contributions will be collected throughout the month. Tan envelopes for cash donations are in the pews. Every contribution is greatly appreciated! There are 7000 people who need and use these 3 Keystone agencies. Lists of items that are needed will be posted near the boxes during this time. Thank you! 

The Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign is the largest grassroots food and fund drive in the state, accomplished by participating groups and individuals engaged in the fight against hunger in support of our 300 partner food shelves.

All the Information at mnfoodshare.org >