The mission of Trinity Lutheran Church is to love God, to love others, and to magnify the name of Jesus Christ.   The vision of our church is to glorify our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, to make true disciples throughout all the nations by means of missionary activity and support, to minister the ordinances, to edify believers, and to do all that is sovereignly possible and biblically permissible to magnify the name of Jesus.  We are here to love our neighbors and to care for them physically and spiritually.  Below is listed our RTO procedures for church.

 

 

•  Masks/Face Coverings & Other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Face mask required by all people entering the church.
  • If you are sick or have tempteture – please stay home.  Watch us online.
• Handwashing Stations 
  • Our volunteers will spray hand sanitizer on to the hands of people as they enter the building.
• Cleaning Procedures
  • Trinity has hired Anago Cleaning Services of Long Island to clean the building every Monday Night.
• Signage
  • At every entrance, there will be signs of Mask, Services, and other relevant information.
• Worship Services 
  •  
  • 9:30 am Sunday Service
  • 10:45 am Holy Communion served for the 9:30 AM service.
  • 6:00 pm Thursday Evening Service
  • People will have to sign up to attend Worship.   Sign Up
  • Online check-in or call Pastor
  • Each service will only have 30 people in the building until the Governor permits more people.
• Ushers
  • Computer personal will also act as Ushers.
  • They will spray Hand Sanitizer into the hands of each person.
• Strict Physical Distancing  
  • Trinity will designate every three pews to marked off.
  • Musicians will be near the altar.
  • We will place the worship media team together.
  • Following CDC Guidelines, we will only have 30 people in the building.
  • Again, if you are not feeling well, please stay home.
• Entering and Exiting the Building
  • • • • Doors to the church and the narthex will be open.
        • No one will open the door without a glove.
• Offerings 
  • Offering Plate located at the entrance of the Sanctuary 
• Projection
  • All Worship will be on the projector screen above the pulpit.
• Bulletins
  • None
• Sharing of the Peace –
  • Visible Sharing of the peace with V fingers
• Holy Communion
  • For the first month – We will ask the congregation to provide their elements from home.
  • The pastor will consecrate the elements after the 9:30 pm service.
  • The pastor will consecrate the elements during the 6:00 pm service.
  • Wednesday – 11:00 am to 1:00 pm – Pastor will offer Holy Communion by the drive-in. People will pull up to the front door. The pastor will then pray the LORD’s Prayer and consecrate the elements that members will bring themselves.

Return to Operations (RTO) Principles Template

Return to Operations Principles

These principles apply across the entire congregation. They are not at the discretion of individuals, ministry teams, or others. They have been enacted by our parish leadership for the safety and protection of everyone. They apply through all phases of the RTO process.

• We Believe in God.

As the Holy Spirit has called us to faith in Christ Jesus, we believe in God and serve Him.  As we do, we use the gifts He has given us and whatever we do in word or in deed, we do in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.  

• We Strive to Protect All.

The protection of all who come to worship is a top priority. We encourage anyone who has underlying health concerns to remain home until the issues with the pandemic have improved. Providing for the spiritual needs of all remains our goal, including the offering of digital worship services for those who are unable to attend. 

• We Acknowledge a Phase-Based Approach. 

Employees and parishioners will be invited to return in phases, influenced by factors outlined below. Employees and Parishioners who return may need to work/worship from home for periods of time depending on applicable government orders or personal factors.  

• We Comply with Government Directives.

RTO is driven by the status of applicable shelter-in-place/stay-at-home orders and the phased return described by the government of NYS. Some activities in our congregation may begin earlier while others may be delayed. This will be determined based on government guidelines and directives from the parish leadership.

• We Follow the Advice of the CDC.

We will continue to follow the guidelines issued by the CDC. This is for the safety and protection of all.

• We Observe Physical Distancing Measures.

We expect physical distancing measures to be followed. 

• We Use Personal Face Coverings and Other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

We ask all who come for worship, activities, or work to use a personal mask and other personal protective equipment as necessary in conjunction with the requirements outlined by NYS and the CDC. 

• We Support Individual Specific Needs

Even if the church office is open and operating consistent with CDC guidelines, certain employees, volunteers, or members may not be able to return to office work, normal volunteer activities, or worship. We support the needs of everyone and we shall work with people who have a legitimate need to remain at home due to health risk factors, lack of childcare, etc.

• We Treat Everyone with Respect

We take accountability for our own actions and treat each other with respect. We do not need to be policing others and their personal social distancing measures upon return to the office/church.

• We Practice Good Hygiene.
• We wash hands vigorously with soap and water or use hand sanitizer for at least 20 seconds.
• We avoid touching our faces.
• We use a face covering when in public.
• We stay at home when we are not feeling well.  We come to church only when we are asymptomatic (no fever, cough, or feeling ill) for the last 14 days.  We also stay home for 14 days when we have been exposed to the virus.