May 4, 2020

To the Clergy of the Mountain Sky Conference,

It has been a long couple of months, as we all sheltered in place in response to the COVID-19 threat. In fact, social distancing measures worked to help flatten the curve throughout the states of the Mountain Sky Conference. I am grateful for all the hard work of clergy and laity throughout our conference, as you learned new skills so that the community of faith could gather virtually, so Bible Studies and Sunday School class members could learn and grow together, and vital, life-giving, life-saving ministries could continue throughout our communities. You have done awesome work! May the lessons learned in these past two months inform future ministries as you share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others within your community and beyond.

Now, however, comes the difficult work of preparing our communities for the next phase of life in this COVID-19 era.

Throughout the Mountain Sky Conference, state, regional, and local authorities are loosening shelter in place restrictions. While we are all eager to return to in-person worship and gatherings, it is critical to look at the specifics of your local regulations as well as CDC recommendations. I continue to recommend a suspension of in-person worship at least through May as we prepare our congregations for the next phase.

The fact is, worship and church gatherings are going to look and feel very different as we return to in-person gatherings. For instance, Montana Governor Steve Bullock announced Phase I for the re-opening of the State. In Phase I, he granted the option for churches to re-gather, but under highly restricted, specific circumstances and only when they can ensure all directives and precautions will be provided by the organization/ employer and followed by all present (Churches and organizations that don’t follow the guidelines may be legally liable). Those circumstances include:

a. Everyone over the age of 65 (CDC says 60) or with any compromised health conditions are to continue sheltering in place. This is the majority population of many of our churches!
b. Physical distancing (minimum six feet) must be maintained, including entering buildings, in lines, where people sit, stand ... How will you prepare your sanctuary and building for this and who will be the enforcers in a gathering?
c. Groups should not gather in numbers larger than 10. (Phase 2 goes up to 50.) How do you decide who may or may not enter after more than 10 show up?
d. Churches and businesses must protect (PPE required?), sanitize and maintain the disinfecting of their facilities, high traffic locations and restrooms (each use by a person is a risk event). Most churches do not yet have a plan or the staff, paid or volunteer, who are trained and in place to adequately fulfill these and other requirements.
e. The local public health officials are mandated to oversee and ensure compliance at any and all gatherings, workplaces.

It becomes very clear, when we study the guidelines that worship is going to look and feel very different. So much of worship includes the very things that are high risk at this time: passing objects (like the offering plate); hugs and handshakes; coffee hour; singing (did you know that preaching and singing require even further social distance measures? Studies show the forceful speaking and singing spread respiratory droplets as far as 25 feet!). We all are hungry to return and be with beloved church members, but will the restrictions required assist or hamper our worship experience? Can you imagine gathering in community where you can’t see anyone’s smile?

As pastors, you are given the authority and responsibility of Word, Sacrament, Order and Service (Book of Discipline, paragraph 340). When, where and how worship happens is under your authority. I invite you to use the next couple of weeks to work with your church leadership to create a concrete plan for re-entry into your building that meets the requirements of government and health officials. Additionally, use this time to reflect on what you have learned about ministry and how to integrate these lessons into your church’s ministry as you return. This moment has allowed us a reset button as we see what ministry in the 21st century entails.

• We have learned how to incorporate shut-ins and people beyond our community in the worship experience ... how can that continue?
• We also have discovered (thanks to analytics) that Sunday morning isn’t necessarily the time most people engage worship ... what are the implications of that for how we order our common life?
• How have we deepened relationships and discipleship online and how can that continue?
• What have we learned about evangelism when we have more people being touched by our online worship than ever walked into our building?
• We have seen that “church” really isn’t the building, but the people ... how will you keep central the people of your congregation and continue to engage them in creative ways and not allow the building to hamper your efforts?

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43: 19). I pray you will find the time to reflect on what God is doing in the midst of all of this. How is God calling you and your congregation to embrace the new thing? What does that look like in your community? How will you integrate all you’ve learned and experienced so that you can more fully share the Good News?

I continue to give thanks to God for each of you. May God continue to bless you and your ministry.

Blessings,

Bishop Karen

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