• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • (319)-352-1414
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Northeastern Iowa Synod, ELCA

Northeastern Iowa Synod, ELCA

Strengthening the Witness and Service of the Whole Church

  • About
    • About Us
    • Leadership and Staff
    • Networks & Ministries
    • Partners in Ministry
    • Congregations
    • Synod Endowment Fund
  • Events
  • Resources
    • All Resources
    • Call Process
    • Open Calls
  • News
    • News & Announcements
    • E-News
    • Star Newsletter
  • Contact
  • Give

COVID-19

Planning Ahead To Reopen In-Person Worship

Reopening Procedures Forum

The Disaster Response Network hosted a Zoom forum on May 8, 2020, to discuss how congregations can plan ahead to safely reopen in response to COVID-19. Dr. Natalie Del Vecchio of the University of Iowa College of Public Health and Steve O’Neil, coordinator of Cerro Gordo County Emergency Management, were guests. The video of that forum can be viewed and downloaded below.

Download Video

Considerations For Returning To In-Person Worship

The ELCA churchwide organization offers the Considerations for Returning to In-person Worship resource document to help congregations decide when and how they will be able to gather again for worship. This document offers general guidance for congregations to consider, such as hygiene and safety, physical distancing, worship practices, timelines for gathering sizes, and more. 

Download Document

Reopening Plan Example

Pastor Kyle Barton, facilitator of the Disaster Response Network, and the leadership of St. James in Allison have developed a reopening plan and have shared it below. Pastor Barton stresses that this plan is not perfect, but it is how St. James has discerned to move toward reopening in the safest manner. The leadership in each congregation must contextualize a plan that is appropriate to their setting.

Download Document

Reopening Resources

The links below were useful for developing the St. James reopening directive:

  • cdc.gov (includes a specific section on Considerations for Communities of Faith)
  • coronavirus.iowa.gov
  • who.int
  • wichurches.org
  • whitehouse.gov/openingamerica
  • coronavirus.gov
  • nih.gov/health-information/coronavirus
  • Resuming Care-Filled Worship and Sacramental Life During a Pandemic

Consultation Resources

The Disaster Response Network is available as a resource as congregations move forward through the various phases of reopening.

Pastor Kyle Barton
[insert email address here]

Dr. Natalie Del Vecchio
University of Iowa College of Public Health
[email protected]

Steve O’Neil
Coordinator of Cerro Gordo County Emergency Management
[email protected]

View More COVID-19 Resources

Faith Leaders Respond To Reopening Churches

On April 27, 2020, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation allowing spiritual and religious gatherings in Iowa beginning May 1.

The Northeastern Iowa Synod Conference Deans and Chaplains and faith leaders from across Iowa encourage congregations to refrain from in-person gatherings at this time. Their statements of response are below:

Letter from the Northeastern Iowa Synod Deans and Chaplains

Ecumenical Statement About Religious Gatherings 

Footer

Northeastern Iowa Synod

201 20th St. SW, P.O. Box 804
Waverly, IA 50677-0804
(319) 352-1414
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Menu

  • Events
  • News
  • Resources
  • About
  • Contact Us

ELCA

The Northeastern Iowa Synod is one of the 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

 

Copyright © 2022 · Northeastern Iowa Synod, ELCA, a member of The Faith Growth Digital Ministry Network