Dear Church Family,
After much thought and prayer, the protocol team at CUMC has decided to move COVID precautions to “optional but encouraged.” Over this long pandemic and with the recent retreat of the Omicron variant, we feel it is now appropriate to move the guidance regarding personal safety back to the individual. Anyone who is at increased risk from COVID is certainly encouraged to continue precautions. Please keep in mind, children younger than five have not yet had the opportunity to get vaccinated. We look forward to gathering and eating together for those who are able.
In Christ,
The CUMC Protocol Team
February 1, 2022: The last few months we have watched the impact of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. During this time, we have celebrated a wonderful Christmas Eve service together with family and special friends. As we move through January, we have seen a rapid increase in this virus infecting more and more people. The information available for Forsyth County at this writing outlines a 45% increase in hospitalizations in the last 14 days with a 36% increase in positive tests. This does not include unreported positive at-home tests. While this data is disturbing, we are encouraged with vaccinations rising to 68% for ages 12 & up, 87% for people 65 & up, and overall vaccinations for all ages at 60%. These vaccinations do not prevent you from catching the virus but do lessen the severity of the illness. With this information, the Protocol Team has decided to keep the mask requirement for everyone on the church campus and continue the suspension of all meals being served at indoor church events. We have reached out to Clemmons: One and the Weekday Children’s Ministry to determine the best way to manage their groups. Thank you for your support, patience, and understanding for what we hope will be a brief time addressing this recent surge. Please know that we will reassess the serving of meals as the trend declines.
December 6, 2021
The Protocol Team had hoped to move to masks optional for all vaccinated people by the first part of December, then the new variant came on the scene! We have, however, given all fully vaccinated choir members, readers and musicians the blessing to perform without masks this Sunday for the Christmas Cantata. What joy to be able to see the faces of those people bringing us the beauty of worship through music! Please know that the balcony will be open for seating beginning this Sunday. The Protocol Team asks that all breakfast attendees wear masks at all times, except when you are enjoying your delicious potluck meal around the table with family and friends. Thank you for your continued respect and care for each other.
August 19, 2021
Until the Delta variant quiets down among both vaccinated and unvaccinated people, the Protocol Team is asking everyone to wear their masks at all indoor ministry activities including worship services and Sunday School classes. We are moving from “encouraging” to “requiring” masks be worn to keep each other safe due to the high contagion rate of this variant. The Delta variant is infecting both vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Hopefully, we can move back to less restrictions sooner than later, but for now, wearing a mask is a small price to pay to help protect our fellow Christians. For September: Communion will be served by using the sealed kits.
The Protocol Team
August 4, 2021
Dear Clemmons United Methodist Church Family,
It has been wonderful experiencing a sense of normalcy on our campus these past four months as we have joined together for worship, Sunday school, group meetings and youth and children’s activities. What a joy to see each other’s smiling faces after so many months of wearing masks and the increased activity as vaccinations have allowed us the freedom to participate safely together.
Please know that our staff continues to monitor the data related to COVID-19 and its new variants as we plan for the fall relaunch of children’s and youth ministries. While most of us twelve years and older have chosen to take the vaccination, our children and our immunocompromised individuals do not have that opportunity.
Last week, the CDC and our Bishop and Cabinet issued new guidelines which we have carefully considered and are now incorporating in the daily operations of our church starting immediately:
We encourage persons to be vaccinated and respect the fact that some cannot be vaccinated because they are immunocompromised.
We encourage all volunteers serving with children, youth and immunocompromised individuals to be fully vaccinated prior to serving.
We encourage the wearing of masks, regardless of vaccination status, at all indoor ministry activities including worship, Sunday school, Bible study, group meetings, and youth and children’s activities.
In order to protect children participating in our children’s ministry events, we require all students, volunteers, staff and visitors to wear a mask over their nose and mouth while on church property.
We ask that if you have any symptoms related to COVID or if you have been exposed to COVID to please be considerate of others and stay home.
On August 22, our Children and Youth Ministries begin a new year of Sunday morning ministry opportunities. The recommendations outlined above will allow us to be the Church together in the ministries of worship, discipleship and Christian fellowship and service, while also keeping each other safe and healthy. While none of us cherish the thought of wearing masks again, we ask that you do your part to help us live as Jesus called us to by loving our neighbor as ourselves.
We will miss seeing your smiling face on Sunday. However, we would much rather see the love of Christ in your eyes above that mask as we make a small sacrifice in caring for the least of these.
God Bless You!
The Protocol Team
Tammy Clapp
Kenny Culver
Mary DePuy
Lawrence Fletcher
Kathy Giff
Mark Hess