Resurrection UMC Hastings (REZ) takes the health and well-being of our congregation, staff and community very seriously. We are monitoring COVID-19 (coronavirus) updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), medical professionals, and local health departments.

The rise of the new virus has also led to a number of questions about how we will function at church. We continue to do everything we can to balance risk reduction and the power of being together as the body of Christ. To reduce risk, we are all encouraged to follow recommended protocols from the Center for Disease Control (cdc.gov) or local health officials. These include frequent hand washing, not going out if sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and other normal precautions to prevent disease spread.

Currently in effect at REZ

Office/Building Access

• The building/front office remains open throughout the week
• Face masks are required for all persons 5 years of age and older inside the building
• If needed, the building is available during the week for small groups of 20 or less on a pre-arranged basis per Resurrection’s COVID-19 Plan. Contact the office for more information or to schedule a group.

Worship

• No in-person gathering at this time.
• Weekly online worship services are live Sundays at 8:30 & 10:00 a.m. via Facebook or YouTube. The sermon is available afterwards via our podcast and video channels.
• In-person Christmas Eve services are not cancelled at this time. We will make that call mid-December.
  
• Please use our secure online giving resource (tithe.ly) to continue your commitment to generosity and the work of Resurrection church – or go old school and send a check through the U.S. mail.
• Communion is available using safe, pre-packaged elements via drop-off or mail. Make arrangements with the church office (651.437.4398 or email). Also, check rezNews and Facebook posts for Drive-Thru Communion events at REZ.

Congregational Care

• We continue to care for our congregation and patients/residents in healthcare facilities via phone calls and notes.
• Pastor Mark sends out timely email/postal letter with insights and encouragement during this period of temporary inconvenience for our community. If you’d like to receive this letter via email, sign up.

Kids/Youth, Small Groups, Classes & Support Groups

• Limited small group meetings/gatherings at church at this time. Contact the church office (651.437.4398) to schedule a meeting or for more information.
• Stay in touch: Sign up for rezNews and rezKIDS newsletters.
• No rezKIDS or Sunday School until further notice.
• No rezYouth programs. Contact Annah or AP for details. Online resources for students are also available.
• No AWANA or Wednesday night dinners.
• Support groups (AA, GA, NA, etc.) will continue to meet as scheduled.
• Committees are encouraged to meet via teleconference or video chat (Zoom, etc.)

Staff & Volunteers

• Contact staff and volunteers by texts, email or phone.

Stay Calm

While COVID-19 is new, it is not new for the church to face periods of epidemics, fear and uncertainty. Throughout the centuries, Christians have weathered these periods by turning to their faith and one another. Please be in prayer for those who are ill or otherwise affected by COVID-19, influenza or other health issues. Our world may be in an uproar, but God is still the peace in the midst of the storm. Please contact the church office if you have additional questions about REZ’s response to COVID-19.

You can help prevent the spread of this virus

• Wear a face mask in confined spaces with the general public.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care. If you are sick, wear a medical mask around other people.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue (or use the inside of your elbow), then throw the tissue in the trash and immediately wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces daily using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
• The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Face masks should be worn by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 and by those who are taking care of someone in close settings to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.

COVID-19 Plan

Updated November 24, 2020

When the original Methodist societies began to meet back in the 1700’s they had no buildings and no COVID-19. But they did have three simple rules to live by. Today, as we try to faithfully respond to the challenges brought about by the pandemic, we seek to balance the challenge of those three simple rules expressed today as:

1) Do no harm.
2) Do good.
3) Stay in love with God.

To do so, we pattern our response based on the guidelines issued by the Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, our insurance company and the MN Department of Health. As each church situation is unique–and as the COVID-19 pandemic is constantly changing–we will adapt as needed to protect our community and carry out our mission for Christ. Below are some specifics as they relate to Resurrection UMC.

General

• No in-person worship will take place in the sanctuary to help minimize the risk of spreading the virus. Our Sunday worship services are available online live at 8:30 and 10:00 a.m., and via our YouTube channel afterwards.
• All persons age 5+ are required to wear face masks in the building.
• The church building will remain open during the week. AA and other support groups can continue to meet. Other necessary activities, i.e. office work, the recording of the worship services, etc. will proceed.
• In-person Christmas Eve services are not cancelled at this time. We will make that call mid-December.
• Worship, rezYOUTH and rezKIDS will be online until Christmas.
• Compass is taking a pause for December.
• All committees will be encouraged to move back to online meetings via Zoom, etc. if possible.

Worship

As of November 29th, 2020, no in-person worship will take place in the sanctuary to help minimize the risk of spreading the virus. Our Sunday worship services are available online live at 8:30 and 10:00 a.m., and via our YouTube channel afterwards.

As noted previously, all of these responses are subject to change depending on the situation and as more information on best practices becomes available. However, Resurrection Church promises to do its best to do no harm, do good and stay in love with God. May the One who doesn’t change – the eternal God of all creation – bless us and keep us.