April 2, 2020 NOTATION
Per further recommendations in the last week by our NTNL Synod Bishop Erik Gronberg, the Gulf Coast Synod Bishop Mike Rinehart and the Governor Greg Abbott of Texas, Mt. Olive Lutheran Church Council will vote by phone or e-mail before Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020 to ...
Extend the following Covid-19 Response Policies INDEFINITELY:
Mt. Olive Lutheran Church
ZOOM COUNCIL MEETING
Re: Emergency Covid-19 Response Policies
Thursday, March 19 @ 8 PM
COVID-19 RESPONSE POLICIES AGENDA
1) 8 PM - 15 Min.: Sunday Worship Options
2) 8:15 PM - 15 Min.: Use of Building for (Small) Groups under 10 during the week
3) 8:30 PM - 30 Min.: How to Communicate our Decision to the Congregation
ZOOM MEETING MINUTES:
MOTION: 1 & 2) Building Usage Policies during Covid-19 Outbreak –
Having heard recommendations from our pastor, Rev. J. Todd Bruning, M.Div., our NTNL Bishop, Erik Gronberg, and local and national public leaders as well as medical professionals, we, the Church Council of Mt. Olive Lutheran in Dallas, TX have voted on this date, March 19, 2020 to:
a) Suspend physical worship at Mt. Olive for at least two Sundays as we watch what unfolds, and provide recommendations for our members to experience alternate online options for worship (empowering our Pastor and Worship Team to make appropriate plans and arrangements)
b) Encourage self-quarantine whenever possible and ask people not to use the building for any gatherings for at least two weeks.
c) The Food Pantry will make its operational decisions independently, looking to adhere to the mandate not to gather in groups larger than 10.
3) 8:30 PM - 30 Min.: Zoom Worship during Covid-19 Outbreak:
We Propose a ZOOM worship Format for COMPANIONSHIP Worship that would have the following elements and a link sent to as much of the congregation as possible by text and e-mail. A Zoom Worship Committee will meet during the coming weeks to work out longer term plans.
a) Announcements and introductions by Pastor Todd.
b) Responsive Prayer led by Jackie Leatch
c) A Capella song led by Pastor Todd
d) Liturgy led by Corey Brown
e) 1st Scripture chosen and read by Council Member
f) Anthem - Video recorded song by Choir Member
g) 2nd Scripture chosen and read by Council Member
h) Reflection (5 min.) and Optional 3rd Scripture chosen and shared by Rev. Jermine Alberty
i) A Capella song led by Choir Member
j) Companionship Communion Assignment led by Alicia Brown
k) Benediction by Lakeesha Browne
4) Clarification of Worship Policy for Holy Week Services and other Special Services moving forward.
There was some discussion about whether the building usage policies above were related to the March 8, 2020 Council Motion that was passed about planning special worship services for holy days during the week (not on Sunday). They are not.
That policy reads: In planning for Special Services, Mt. Olive Lutheran Church Council wants to ensure that at least 10 people will be planning to participate in that service.
Both policies refer to 10 people. But for very different reasons.
5) SIX COMPANIONSHIP VALUES during NEW NORMAL
Pastor Todd introduced the following outline for CHURCH STAYING OPEN even if the BUILDING IS CLOSED:
We are a Vehicle that will: Deliver CONFIDENCE, COMPASSION, and COMPANIONSHIP to a tremendously anxious COMMUNITY = God is our REFUGE & STRENGTH.
1) Support the Health of our Mt. Olive PEOPLE
We will help anyone who Need Help getting Tested or Treated
We will Self-Quarantine in Groups under 10 to keep everyone Healthy
2) Support the Health of our Mt. Olive ORGANIZATION
We will Get GREAT at Online Communication
We will continue to Tithe through Online Giving
3) New Normal is a MARATHON not a Sprint
We will help each other Stay Healthy in heart, soul, mind & strength
We will check in to Pastor Todd's Blog https://bruningt.wixsite.com/companionship
4) REACH OUT to Every Mt. Olive Person Every Week
While we Self-Quarantine in Groups under 10
We will stay in touch with every member every week
5) Reach Out to NEIGHBORS Every Week
We will Reopen/Serve Food Pantry People ASAP
AND we will work with another South Dallas organization to do more
6) Practice COMPANIONSHIP as much as Possible. Everyone at Mt. Olive will be able to tell you what these words or phrases mean:
Companionship Training
Companionship Movement
Side by Side
Circle of Care