March 8, 2022
The Executive Team continues to update and coordinate Unity’s protocols with guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control. This current policy change reflects new metrics used by the CDC that combines hospital admissions and capacity with case data to determine low, medium, or high levels of risk from Covid-19. Following this new metric, the risk level for Ramsey County is currently “low,” with following changes in effect as of March 1, 2022:
The Unity Church Executive Team
Rev. KP Hong
Barbara Hubbard
Rev. Dr. Kathy Hurt
The Executive Team continues to update and coordinate Unity’s protocols with guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control. This current policy change reflects new metrics used by the CDC that combines hospital admissions and capacity with case data to determine low, medium, or high levels of risk from Covid-19. Following this new metric, the risk level for Ramsey County is currently “low,” with following changes in effect as of March 1, 2022:
- Masking mandates have been lifted, regardless of vaccine status, with masks no longer required to be worn inside the church building, with the exception of children and adults involved in Religious Education:
- As the CDC and the City of Saint Paul loosen Covid-19 restrictions, SPPS is still requiring face coverings for everyone at this time. The Board of Education is scheduled to review this requirement in March, but until changes are made, Religious Education guidelines will continue to parallel those of SPPS, including masking for children’s and youth choirs.
- Noting that the last major phase of the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out includes children under 5, and with approval from the FDA not expected until April at the earliest, all individuals working with our preschool program will continue to be masked.
- People may choose to wear a mask at any time, and masks continue to be recommended for persons who are unvaccinated, immunocompromised, or at high-risk for complications associated with Covid-19.
- Persons with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with Covid-19 should continue to practice strategies to prevent transmission, including staying home, separating yourself from others, and masking around others at home and in public, especially those at higher risk.
- We will continue to make available Sunday services online (concurrent with the 9:00 a.m. service), and reasonable accommodations for those unable to participate in person will be offered as appropriate to specific programs.
- We anticipate and are beginning to plan for a gradual return of food ministry, beginning with coffee and donuts following Sunday worship services.
The Unity Church Executive Team
Rev. KP Hong
Barbara Hubbard
Rev. Dr. Kathy Hurt
January 14, 2022
Dear Unity Church Members and Friends,
Our statement of values as a church says that we “honor the ambiguity and uncertainty in the search for greater truth, meaning, and equity.” Seldom have those words about living in ambiguity and uncertainty, even honoring ambiguity and uncertainty, been quite so pointed as this present time. As we all find ourselves navigating rapidly changing circumstances resulting from the Omicron variant, our capacity for honoring ambiguity and uncertainty while searching for meaning is being taxed, perhaps even taxed to the breaking point.
As the Executive Team and church staff delve into this ambiguity and uncertainty each week (and often more frequently), our work continues to be informed by guidelines from the CDC and MDH, ethical priorities, staffing capacities, practicality of what is actually possible, and the emerging needs of our church community. We then set a course, with readiness to change as necessary. Beneath our general policies that have remained largely consistent, there has been continuous assessment and adjustments in calibrating protocols to best practices, including: KN95 masking for all staff to provide greater protection (these masks are available for congregants by request), rapid at-home testing kits for all staff to use when symptoms warrant, updating quarantine guidelines with CDC recommendations, and continued assessment of staff and technical capacity for programming.
But perhaps even more important than our vigilance in keeping all safe is our concern, as a faith community, for discerning how our values — often competing values — guide us. This time would be less filled with ambiguity and uncertainty if one guideline was possible for all of us, but we vary, individually, and collectively, in how we step into risk. But always, we place your and our personal well-being as the primary concern. As you choose whether and how you will participate in church activities, do be sure that your choice honors your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being most of all.
A primary spiritual challenge that we continue to confront in the pandemic, as it shifts about us in new variants and competing voices rise to push at our anxiety, is our practice of faith. Faith, our confidence and trust in oneself, in one another, in the Holy One present in the patterns around us, grounds us in our work to clarify what matters most and enables us to keep choosing that. As faith is being stretched thin in these difficult, complicated days, know that your church is here for support, now and as we move forward.
Yours in faith,
The Unity Church Executive Team
Rev. KP Hong
Barbara Hubbard
Rev. Dr. Kathy Hurt
Our statement of values as a church says that we “honor the ambiguity and uncertainty in the search for greater truth, meaning, and equity.” Seldom have those words about living in ambiguity and uncertainty, even honoring ambiguity and uncertainty, been quite so pointed as this present time. As we all find ourselves navigating rapidly changing circumstances resulting from the Omicron variant, our capacity for honoring ambiguity and uncertainty while searching for meaning is being taxed, perhaps even taxed to the breaking point.
As the Executive Team and church staff delve into this ambiguity and uncertainty each week (and often more frequently), our work continues to be informed by guidelines from the CDC and MDH, ethical priorities, staffing capacities, practicality of what is actually possible, and the emerging needs of our church community. We then set a course, with readiness to change as necessary. Beneath our general policies that have remained largely consistent, there has been continuous assessment and adjustments in calibrating protocols to best practices, including: KN95 masking for all staff to provide greater protection (these masks are available for congregants by request), rapid at-home testing kits for all staff to use when symptoms warrant, updating quarantine guidelines with CDC recommendations, and continued assessment of staff and technical capacity for programming.
But perhaps even more important than our vigilance in keeping all safe is our concern, as a faith community, for discerning how our values — often competing values — guide us. This time would be less filled with ambiguity and uncertainty if one guideline was possible for all of us, but we vary, individually, and collectively, in how we step into risk. But always, we place your and our personal well-being as the primary concern. As you choose whether and how you will participate in church activities, do be sure that your choice honors your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being most of all.
A primary spiritual challenge that we continue to confront in the pandemic, as it shifts about us in new variants and competing voices rise to push at our anxiety, is our practice of faith. Faith, our confidence and trust in oneself, in one another, in the Holy One present in the patterns around us, grounds us in our work to clarify what matters most and enables us to keep choosing that. As faith is being stretched thin in these difficult, complicated days, know that your church is here for support, now and as we move forward.
Yours in faith,
The Unity Church Executive Team
Rev. KP Hong
Barbara Hubbard
Rev. Dr. Kathy Hurt
September 23, 2021
With the return to in-person worship at both the 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. services, and in-person Religious Education for children, we continue to monitor and apply best practices, including vaccination for everyone eligible, masking regardless of vaccination status, distancing and cohorting, improved ventilation systems, and contact tracing.
We will continuously monitor recommended guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and apply those recommendations in a timely manner. Your support in following recommended guidelines and reporting concerns for the well-being of everyone is much appreciated. This Minnesota Department of Health testing recommendation chart is a resource we found quite helpful in charting guidelines and best practices.
With the return to in-person worship at both the 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. services, and in-person Religious Education for children, we continue to monitor and apply best practices, including vaccination for everyone eligible, masking regardless of vaccination status, distancing and cohorting, improved ventilation systems, and contact tracing.
We will continuously monitor recommended guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and apply those recommendations in a timely manner. Your support in following recommended guidelines and reporting concerns for the well-being of everyone is much appreciated. This Minnesota Department of Health testing recommendation chart is a resource we found quite helpful in charting guidelines and best practices.
September 2021 commUNITY Newsletter Update
Here is the church, and here is the steeple. Open the doors and see all the people?
Unity Church Executive Team
We continue with our plans to return to in-person worship on September 12, 2021, but in this time of uncertainty we find ourselves asking, will the people return? The Executive Team, in consultation with staff, continues to update and coordinate Unity’s protocols with guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control. We know that no setting will be entirely risk-free from Covid-19, and so we are balancing the risks and making decisions in the best interest of all, especially those most impacted by the disease. Now that the Pfizer vaccine is fully approved, we strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated.
Masking
Returning to In-person Worship
Food Ministry
Religious Education
Staff and Volunteers
Building Ventilation
Wellspring Wednesday
Music Ministry
Online Programming
To keep up with Unity’s guidelines and opportunities, check our website or sign up for church emails with program information and the monthly newsletter (https://bit.ly/ucuemail).
This remains complex and challenging work with many moving parts, and as a faith community, we will make our way with care and compassion for one another leading the way.
Here is the church, and here is the steeple. Open the doors and see all the people?
Unity Church Executive Team
We continue with our plans to return to in-person worship on September 12, 2021, but in this time of uncertainty we find ourselves asking, will the people return? The Executive Team, in consultation with staff, continues to update and coordinate Unity’s protocols with guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control. We know that no setting will be entirely risk-free from Covid-19, and so we are balancing the risks and making decisions in the best interest of all, especially those most impacted by the disease. Now that the Pfizer vaccine is fully approved, we strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated.
Masking
- Currently, the building is open to small group gatherings, with everyone — vaccinated and unvaccinated — masking in designated public indoor spaces. We made the decision on July 31 to return to masking in response to the recommendations made by the CDC, given the prevailing Delta variant and its spread in areas of “substantial” or “high” transmission.
Returning to In-person Worship
- We are planning to return to in-person worship on September 12, with our Merging of Waters service. Beginning that day, we will move to two services at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. There will be no 4:30 service. These services are both the same, and September 12 is a “Family Sunday,” when families worship together in the Sanctuary. We are asking everyone to mask the entire time they are in the building and to sign in as they enter, in the event we need to contact trace for Covid-19 illness.
- We will livestream the 9:00 a.m. service only, making it available afterwards for viewing at your convenience.
Food Ministry
- Until such time when the mask mandate is lifted, there will be no food ministry at church. Yes, that means no donuts and no Wellspring Wednesday dinners. We are exploring the possibility of an open-air tent in the green space, where we could have small gatherings and receptions.
Religious Education
- Religious Education classes for children and youth will begin again on September 19 with in-person learning. We are following recommendations from state and local authorities, including our public school system, and the overall weight of available evidence informs our decision. We know that our youngest children will not yet be vaccinated and depending on enrollment, some programs may be offered online. All volunteers will be vaccinated, masking and quarantine practices will parallel those of Saint Paul Public Schools, and ventilation improvements will remain important preventive strategies for RE programs and childcare. We may also designate a separate exterior entrance (directly connecting to Ames Chapel and lower level) for RE volunteers, children and youth.
Staff and Volunteers
- All staff are now fully vaccinated, and volunteers in specific areas of ministry will be required to be vaccinated for in-person ministry, including Religious Education volunteers, worship leaders, welcome teams and choir members.
Building Ventilation
- We have consulted with experts and made adjustments to our heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems to maximize ventilation and safety.
Wellspring Wednesday
- We will resume Wellspring Wednesday evening programming with mostly online offerings (7:00-8:30 p.m.) on September 8 (see listing here). Chapel services will return as in-person multi-generational worship in the Ames Chapel at 6:00 p.m. each Wednesday starting September 15. There will be in-person OWL (Our Whole Lives) classes on Wednesday evenings.
Music Ministry
- In the area of Music Ministries, our Children’s and Youth Choirs will follow the protocols of the Saint Paul Public Schools. Adult choirs will begin to rehearse in September, with vaccinations and masking required for all in-person singers. Zoom rehearsals will continue to be offered for those not vaccinated. Choirs will not be performing in Sunday worship at this time, but we may have individual or small group vocalists providing music in the Sanctuary, in addition to instrumentalists. Congregational singing will be allowed, with masks required for all.
Online Programming
- As we return to in-person programming, reasonable accommodations will be made for those unable to participate in specific programs. Some Zoom-only programs will continue to be offered, as well as limited multi-platform options.
To keep up with Unity’s guidelines and opportunities, check our website or sign up for church emails with program information and the monthly newsletter (https://bit.ly/ucuemail).
This remains complex and challenging work with many moving parts, and as a faith community, we will make our way with care and compassion for one another leading the way.
August 2021 commUNITY Newsletter Update
Our Return to In-Person Services and Gatherings
Executive Team and Staff Reopening Team
As we remember the joy of being together in community, we have already begun to gradually return to in-person opportunities. As we monitor state and local health guidelines, the Executive Team’s decisions about how we open the church building remains grounded in values of equity, inclusion, consent, and the well-being of an interdependent community. Knowing that we will never be able to eliminate all the risk from Covid-19, we will make decisions in the best interest of all and with care and attention to those most impacted by the disease.
On June 1, we began moving forward with in-person gatherings at the church. Small groups are now able to meet in the church building. Those who are not vaccinated will be asked to wear a mask. UPDATED after publication, August 1, 2021: In response to current data and Minnesota Department of Health recommendations, we are asking anyone entering the church building to wear a mask, even if fully vaccinated.
Our plan is to return to in-person worship on September 12, 2021, for the Merging of Waters services at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. We will make reasonable accommodations for those unable to participate in person and continue to offer Sunday services online. For families, we know that when we reopen for in-person classes, our youngest children will not yet be vaccinated and no setting will be entirely risk-free. Yet with more and more of us now fully vaccinated, and following recommendations from state and local authorities, the overall weight of available evidence informs our plans for in-person Religious Education. We expect our guidelines for in-person gatherings to evolve as we respond to the changing reality. Please watch for ongoing updates.
Our Return to In-Person Services and Gatherings
Executive Team and Staff Reopening Team
As we remember the joy of being together in community, we have already begun to gradually return to in-person opportunities. As we monitor state and local health guidelines, the Executive Team’s decisions about how we open the church building remains grounded in values of equity, inclusion, consent, and the well-being of an interdependent community. Knowing that we will never be able to eliminate all the risk from Covid-19, we will make decisions in the best interest of all and with care and attention to those most impacted by the disease.
On June 1, we began moving forward with in-person gatherings at the church. Small groups are now able to meet in the church building. Those who are not vaccinated will be asked to wear a mask. UPDATED after publication, August 1, 2021: In response to current data and Minnesota Department of Health recommendations, we are asking anyone entering the church building to wear a mask, even if fully vaccinated.
Our plan is to return to in-person worship on September 12, 2021, for the Merging of Waters services at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. We will make reasonable accommodations for those unable to participate in person and continue to offer Sunday services online. For families, we know that when we reopen for in-person classes, our youngest children will not yet be vaccinated and no setting will be entirely risk-free. Yet with more and more of us now fully vaccinated, and following recommendations from state and local authorities, the overall weight of available evidence informs our plans for in-person Religious Education. We expect our guidelines for in-person gatherings to evolve as we respond to the changing reality. Please watch for ongoing updates.