COVID-19

Updated by RLC Council and Staff on Nov. 20, 2020.

April 14 - In Person Worship has been Postponed

As of April 14, 2021, our planned in-person worship has been postponed

March 23 - Letter from Pastor Lauren Regarding In-Person Worship

Click here for the complete letter. Just a bit over a year ago we moved worship online to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. There was much to be learned in a short amount of time, and no one anticipated it would take a year to safely return to in-person worship. Even now, as we gather together, things will be different. I am excited to announce that we plan to resume in-person worship beginning Sunday, April 18 (NOW POSTPONED) with a single 9:00 am service. *This is subject to change*

March 15 - Message from Bishop Lull

Saint Paul Area Synod Bishop Patricia Lull shares an update from the synod in response to the changes announced by the Governor and Minnesota Department of Health on Friday, March. 12. Click here to read this update.

"Last Friday, Governor Tim Walz announced the easing of a number of restrictions that had been in place to lessen the spread of COVID-19. The new guidance becomes effective at noon today. Occupancy limits for faith services including weddings and funerals have been removed, but capacity must still be adjusted to allow for social distancing. This, however, does NOT mean that worship or other activities that take place in our faith communities are “back to normal.”

Feb. 27 - Dr. Osterholm Presentation at Toolkit for Leaders

The Saint Paul Area Synod welcomed Dr. Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH, as its keynote speaker for its 2021 Tool Kit for Congregational Leaders on February 27 on Zoom. Several lay leaders and staff from RLC were at this online gathering. Dr. Osterholm cautioned about another surge in the coming weeks due to variants that are more transmissible and cause more severe illness. He warned against letting our guard down due to pandemic fatigue, asked church leaders to encourage vaccinations and discussed the humanitarian and strategic effort to ensure people in all countries receive vaccinations in an equitable manner:

Feb. 25 Update:

Click here to read in its entirety. We are elated to announce Holy Week outdoor worship and activities at RLC, and anxious to see friends and neighbors again in real life! Please join us:

Sunday, March 28 - Palm Sunday Drive-in worship at 9:00 and 10:30 with Holy Communion. (Online service also available.)
Saturday, April 3 - Evening Easter Vigil in the south parking lot at 7:30 p.m. with Holy Communion.
Sunday, April 4 - Easter Sunday drive-in worship at 9:00 and 10:30 with Holy Communion. (Online is also available.)

In the coming weeks, watch for announcements regarding the resumption of additional activities on site at Roseville Lutheran Church, which will all be done safely by requiring masks and facilitating social distancing.

Feb. 12 Update:

FUTURE PLANS FOR GATHERING IN-PERSON FOR WORSHIP

This past month, your church council again considered the recommendations of our health workers. As we are all highly anticipating the return of in-person worship, and being able to lift our voices together again in worship, there will be no in-person, indoor worship at least through Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021. We do this out of an abundance of caution, recognizing that our possibilities for again returning to in-person worship are near!

Stay informed through our church Facebook page and church emails. Sign up here to be on our church email list. Are you a Sustaining Giver? Click here to give online, or Text to Give <amount> to 651-383-1504.

Our Plan, as a Community of Faith

In an abundance of caution, and together with many congregations in our area and across the country, Roseville Lutheran Church is taking the following actions for the immediate future:

ALL ONSITE worship and ministry gatherings are SUSPENDED at this time. Please check our website and Facebook pages regularly for updates.
Though the office is open 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, Mon-Fri, and staff continue their duties as needed on site or remotely, the building remains closed to the public. Click here for ministry staff contact information. Email is the best way to communicate.
No meetings (including outside groups) are being held in church facilities at this time.
The congregation will participate in online worship. Click here on Sunday at 9:00 and 10:30 am.
If you have questions or concerns, please call 651-487-7752 (follow prompts if you reach voicemail) or email .

Personal Preparedness

For 80% of cases, COVID-19 is a mild illness that does not require hospitialization. We can limit its spread by:

Wearing a mask
Washing hands with soap and water frequently
Avoiding touching our face (mouth, nose, eyes)
Staying home when sick until illness is resolved
Covering coughs/sneezes with tissue, washing hands afterwards
Staying away from others who are ill

Other Resources

Our RLC Task Force is meeting to consider concerns relating to the COVID-19 outbreak. We're reaching out to larger church resources, and we are also taking into account actions and advice from the Roseville Schools. Click here for their latest update.

The National Association of School Nurses has written this "Talking to Children about COVID-19" resource, which you may find helpful.

Information from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is available here.

Community Vaccination Program Info from the MDH.