Between Sundays – Another Reopening on February 20th and Keeping the Congregation Safe

Dear Members and Friends of UUCV,

We are again reopening our church doors to in-person, indoors Sunday services on February 20th. Using our reservation system, up to 75 people will be allowed in the sanctuary.

After the pandemic emerged in early 2020 and forced closure of the church, a Reopening Team was formed to monitor pandemic news, read and discuss CDC, State, and local advisories, and make recommendations to the Board. The Reopening Team has met frequently to keep up with a great deal of information, much of which seemed contradictory at times. To give credit to this dedicated group, here are their names: Priscilla Akin, Kent Brinkmeyer, Melissa Ruiz, Cassie Tondro, Jim Waldron, and Bryan Buck (chair).

Recommendations made by the Reopening Team are further evaluated and acted on by your UUCV Board. Your Board members are Ron Dallas, Ray Escobedo, Rebeca Fassett, Cassie Tondro, Xenia Young, and Yukio Okano. Rev. Dana is an ex officio member of the Board. During the early stages of the pandemic, the Board decided to be cautious and closed the church. The decision was made to open gradually.

Starting in September, 2021, following an all-generations outdoor church service, in-person attendance was limited to parents of our RE children. This was done to not only limit the number of people attending, but to protect RE children, who at the time could not be vaccinated. About 20 people attended live services.

In early November, the number allowed to attend services in person was increased to 50. To promote fairness, a first-come, first-served reservation system was put in place. The reservation system also helped us to keep track of the number of people attending services. In mid-December, the Board approved a Reopening Team recommendation to increase the number allowed to attend in person to 75. Services were again closed on January 9th due to the surge of the Omicron variant.

As we again reopen the church, here is a reminder of some basic principles followed by the Board in making decisions:

• Outdoors is safer than indoors.
• COVID virus transmission risk increases in crowded settings, especially indoors.
• Masks are needed indoors and even outdoors when there are many people and/or there are unvaccinated people present.
• Many children, especially those under 5, are not yet vaccinated.
• Vaccinations are vital to controlling the pandemic.

While public health data indicate the Omicron surge is decreasing, the Reopening Team and Board believe it is best to resume gradual reopening. Here are some specific actions that have been taken:

• We ask that anyone entering the sanctuary be vaccinated unless there is a medical reason not to be.
• Half of the seating normally in the sanctuary has been removed, leaving 130 chairs. This allows for greater spacing between non-related groups.
• Recognizing the importance of ventilation, the HVAC system has been inspected and tested.
• Windows and doors are open during services to increase fresh air.
• Fans are used in the sanctuary to promote air flow.
• CO2 levels have been measured to confirm that there is a good flow of fresh air.
• HEPA air filtration units have been used to further promote fresh air flow. The Board purchased 11 new units for use throughout the church.
• Wearing of masks is required for those in the sanctuary.

The Reopening Team and the Board recognize that people may not agree on how to proceed with reopening the church. We also believe that our church members and friends are self-selective in their decision-making. Some will feel comfortable in coming to church under these conditions. Others may choose to stay home and attend via Zoom or You Tube.

We have learned that flexibility is essential in adapting to the ever-changing landscape of the pandemic. We are trying to move forward cautiously, knowing that we can make changes as needed. We will not hesitate to make changes needed to protect the health of the staff and congregation.

As we enter yet another phase of the pandemic, we wish you serenity and good health.

Yukio Okano
UUCV Board President

Bryan Buck
Chair, Reopening Team