“Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.” (2 Corinthians 4:1)
Woodlawn Chapel Presbyterian Church
Emergency Operations Policies and Communications
Approved, March 22, 2020
For more information, please email the pastor
In response to the national, state and local declarations of emergency and the St. Louis County stay-at-home order, the Session at Woodlawn Chapel Presbyterian Church adopts the following emergency operations policies:
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Effective Monday, March 22, 2020 the church office, building and grounds will be closed, and all programs suspended until further notice. Only staff or church members performing work essential to the church’s ministry will be allowed entrance on a limited basis.
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The pastor, youth minister, and office manager will work remotely when possible. The pastor will be available both by phone and, where permitted, in person, for pastoral care needs.
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Weekly worship will be live streamed or offered by video. Please visit Woodlawn Chapel’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WoodlawnChapelPresbyterian/
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The pastor, clerk of Session and personnel elder will work together to design a pastoral care contingency plan in the event the pastor is unable to work. This could include our utilizing Carol Stepp, Michael Dawson and other clergy at Woodlawn Chapel.
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The music director and MDO director will continue to receive salaries and will work in supportive roles or remotely where possible.
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Effective Monday, March 22, 2020 cleaning services will be suspended. This is done with much regret, and with the hope that when normal operations resume we will need to contract for additional services in order to offset lost revenue to our cleaning service. Services will resume one day prior to the resumption of worship or the Mom’s Day Out program.
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The Mom’s Day Out program will reopen when Rockwood School District resumes classes.
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All meetings are to be conducted either by phone or video conference. The church’s Zoom account is available to all elders and staff.
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The Easter Egg Hunt for April 5 will be cancelled. We hope to reschedule the petting zoo for another time this spring or summer.
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Members of the Membership & Evangelism committee, Deacons, and other elders will work on contacting every church member by phone prior to Easter Sunday. We will especially hard at contacting at risk individuals and those who do not have Internet capability.
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Session will appoint tasks forces to help with planning online worship, planning Easter worship, and a fellowship celebration following the lifting of restrictions and when it has been judged appropriate to host large gatherings.
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These policies will be communicated to the entire church by email or mail.
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In addition, the church will request Donut Place deliver our weekly donut order to nursing staffs at local hospitals and/or community first responders.
For more information, please visit:
The Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy Coronavirus Response Page
Resources from the General Assembly of the PCUSA