https://www.wichurches.org/2020/04/23/returning-to-church/

Change to kayaks!

I was hoping the panels would get small enough for us to see everyone (as specks) in gallery view...

Please mute yourself if you are not Bishop laurie or Rev Parker!

how do I mute my kids?! :)

https://www.wichurches.org/2020/04/23/returning-to-church/ please read this article

If you have questions please put them in the chat box! Thank you!

Link to NY Times please

We can't really know how long the virus stays active in asymptomatic people, because we can't see the beginning or the end...

Testing question - do you recommend that pastors get tested even if not presenting symptoms? With the increased & free testing centers going up on NW WI next week, we have that opportunity.

My information is that we are only supposed to seek a test if we have symptoms or believe we have been exposed. But please correct me if I am wrong.

Michelle, I'm thinking about identifying any asymptomatic carriers who may be moving to more interactions with "public." Working with high risk populations, communion, etc.

I don't think there are enough tests for asymptomatic cases to be identified. Testing capacity has increased, but not test kits.

Karen/David - right, fair point.

They tried opening testing to everyone yesterday in Fargo and shut it down because they ran out of testing capacity.

how does the Badger Bounce Back Plan balance with areas who are opening up...like Rice Lake?

To date Taylor county has not identified anyone with the virus. They have tested 99 of the 20,000+ residents.

the numbers are in the metro areas of state vs. rural where numbers are stabler. It that taken into whether our area is different?

Price County one case theoretically over it without spread.

When there is a rise does the 14 days restart?

trends are in Milwaukee/GB/Madison are going up not here

As much as I know Washburn County has only 1 case

Polk County I believe is 4--2 in my parish

they have been cleared now to be out

The state's own DHS website indicates things are trending in the right direction over the past few days. https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/prepare.htm

Question - what about 50 in sancdtuary and 50 in Fellowship Hall in farther area of building?

I understand and appreciate all Rev Parker is saying, but I am not the one who should be hearing this. The lay leadership here are part of the culture who are seeing the numbers and minimizes the "chicken little" attitude.

Keith - part of the guidance from public health is that groups use different bathrooms & different door for entry/exit. Otherwise, it is 100 people in some of the same places.

Rodger and all, this is being filmed. It will be available for you to show your lay members.

Lakes country in Wisconsin does not reflect those from outside WI who have cabins. Positive tests are by home address.

I appreciate that this is being recorded. I will be sharing with my council first.

I understand and agree. But I lament the loss of singing … silently lament.

The organ would not count as a prohibited wind instrument because the air does not originate in a person's lungs, is this correct?

For Phase 2, could a cantor/pastor sing from a safe distance in the front?

it cycles the buildings air supply though...some organs use the sanctuary's supply!

could we do the prepackaged communion?

what about gatherings around bonfires with small groups in people's back yards

Repackaged already in each pew?

I’d love a single document processing Eucharistic concerns from a health perspective.

Repackaged is not easy to open

The prepackaged are quite difficult to open, especially for people with dexterity issues

Phi/Lori - Would you be able to create one to share, and then use it at Lay School?

Someone must have already created in K & D

should we also delay congregational responses when everyone speaks at once (amen, alleluia, psalm responses)?

True. Ben stewart maybe?

I used the "McCommunion" pack years ago and it did not have the sense of real presence. ;-)

Another pastor was trying to log on to this meeting but the participants maxed out at 100. How can she access the recording after?

Valerian - Is there protective equipment/clothing that a pastor could wear to do home visits?

Bethany it is being recorded. It will be available after this to all.

So long. I need to gol

yah jazz hands

In phase 2, are outdoor services preferable to sanctuary services?

Adding to Jamie's question - ok to sing at outdoor services?

We have an outdoor chapel at Long Lake/Sarona in which we can easily accommodate 75-100 people with appropriate social distancing. We normally begin this on Memorial Day Sunday (weather permitting). Without allowing touching, and bearing in mind that outdoors the impact of any virus moving as an aerosol (which hasn't been proven in the first place) would be greatly minimized, what would be the Synod's recommendation about doing our outdoor service prior to any official "good-to-go" edict from Madison?

There are a lot of people from the Twin Cities area going up to their cabins in NW WI right now.

From the number of Illinois vehicles in our area last weekend, people are not honoring the stay at home.

It also hasn't been proved that aerosols do not carry the virus.

And to clarify, the outdoor service is meant to happen in Phase 2. Correct?

yes nothing above 10 until phase 2

Thank you.

who announces these phases

We have used the prepackaged communion products and there is a dexterity issue, especially for people with little hand strength.

It's difficult to prove a negative, with regard to aerosols. I would like to see the evidence as to what is currently known about it.

Dave...here's the first step...https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/tiny-airborne-particles-may-carry-the-new-coronavirus

Margaret - I believe from the state health dept & governor, as the plan is from their office, and it is statewide requirements.

With outdoor groups does the safe distance increase as the wind speed increases?

Should we be taking temperatures as people enter the church?

Can the phases go backwards?

if Safer at Home is overturned by court, how does that affect Badger Bounce Back? Do we move to phase 1?

Yes, the phases can go backwards. If Safer at Home is overturned, there is a 6 day Stay requested for the government to work out a new plan. The DHS and Governor's office work out together when we're ready to move from Phase to Phase based on improvements in criteria of the BBB.

My email is execdir@wichurches.org and I'm glad to answer questions that are appropriate for us. Other questions I might refer to Bishop Laurie. We also have resources on our website at wichurches.org

Will the synod be coming up with its own guide for congregations? Do you recommend we follow the WI Council of Churches document?

how far away should the preacher be from the congregation? Should a pulpit shield be put up??

what phase is outdoor recommends

Is the ELCA working on docs?

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/18/health/coronavirus-america-future.html

Do high winds increase the danger when outside?

Yes high winds increase the danger.

WE had an email from the sheriff telling us not to do parking lot servicecs

We have fabric covered pews. Would it be better to have chairs that can be more easily cleaned?

What if we want to use the pandemic to go to a more flexible worship space?! lol

should removable pew cushions be removed

execdir@wichurches.org

Thank you - God's peace

FYI we maxed out at 100 participants