COVID-19 UPDATES

All communication from the South Church Board of Trustees and staff regarding the COVID-19 outbreak will be posted here. Current information will be posted at top the top, and you can scroll down to review. 

March 12, 2020

Dear South Church Community,

We hope this note finds you all well. The Board of Trustees and Staff have been monitoring the developing public health situation as it relates to coronavirus/COVID-19. We have been paying close attention to other UU churches within our region and across the country and are using that collective resource to drive our decisions. We are preparing to roll out a plan of action for Sunday services, religious education, associate programs, social groups, and our various rental clients. It is especially important to communicate decisions about our timeline for closure to those individuals who are directly involved with offering programming, and we are in communications with those individuals now. When we have completed those conversations we will follow up with all of you about specific details of what you can expect in the coming days and weeks. 

Please keep an eye out for a more detailed communication tomorrow. 

In the meantime, please know that we are watching events closely as they unfold.  Our conversations have been predicated on ensuring public safety and the safety of every member of our church community. There are many ideas bouncing around as to how to continue to meet our need for connection and to provide comfort for one another, during this rapidly evolving public health crisis.  

The Board of Trustees is forming a small task force charged with monitoring health news, identifying actions South Church can take, and coordinating the activities of our associate programs as they relate to public health. Our staff is exploring options for hosting small group ministries through video conferencing services, and we are getting up to speed on how we might offer worship remotely. 

Our goal is to provide frequent communication in order to minimize anxiety and to be responsive to the challenges we will be navigating as they become clear. This time of stress and crisis is a good opportunity to fall back on South Church's greatest strength; our caring and active community. Please reach out to those who may be at physical risk and those who might just be a little scared and need a friendly voice. If you are a person who finds yourself in physical, emotional, or financial crisis because of these events, please reach out to your South Church Community. Together we can work to get through the next days and weeks.  

Please observe CDC recommended protocols for hand washing (thoroughly and often) and public interaction (no handshaking or other close contact). If you are in a higher-risk group (over 60 years, suppressed immune system, lung disease, or already suffering from flu or flu-like illness) or feel you will be anxious in a public space, please stay at home. We encourage anyone who is choosing to self quarantine to keep an eye on our website and our Facebook pages for information updates, and opportunities to connect from the safety of your own home. There will be some really creative and innovative ideas blossoming from this unexpected event, and we are ready to share that experience and see what kind of magic our community might make of it all.

If you have experience in public health, especially as it relates to epidemiology and/or communications, or any skills you think might be helpful to our task force, please contact the office of Board of Trustees. And of course, do not hesitate to contact us with any other concerns or suggestions. 

Sending love to each of you,
South Church Board of Trustees and Staff