UPDATES ST. LUKE WORSHIP COVID GUIDELINES
– May 20, 2021 As we continue to watch changes in health recommendations by the CDC, the NMDOH, OSHA and local COVID data, the St. Luke Council in consultation with the Worship, Music and Arts committee discussed and agreed upon the following guidelines. These guidelines are designed to make in-person indoor and outdoor worship activities as safe and as inviting as possible – as more people receive the vaccination and as an increasing number of our community become immune to the virus.Masks: People who are fully vaccinated can go without masks, while those who are not fully vaccinated are askedto wear masks and practice social distancing. If people want to wear a mask or keep some physical distance between themselves and others at anyservice, for any reason, they may do so with the church’s full blessing. St.Luke members will rely on an honor system regarding those who have or have not been vaccinated.Seating: Seating arrangements should be such that it is possible for people or families to socially distance fromothers if that is what they prefer. Special cleaning is only required between Sunday 8:15 AM and 10:30 AM service if chairs and furnishingsare shared (e.g., chairs, portable altar).Communion: St. Luke will continue to use the individual pre-packaged communion sets through at least August 15th (when the summer schedule concludes) and consider continuing to offer this option when we return to pre-pandemic communion procedures. General: We will continue no contact “sharing of the peace” as we are presently practicing. Hymnals will be placed back in the pews timed with our return to the main sanctuary to worship. There will be no water in the baptismal font except for baptisms.Ushers: Will no longer record the names of people who attend worship. Will not be required to wear masks and gloves (if fully vaccinated) unless they choose to do so.Further Points of Consideration: Whether and when it is okay to sing masked or unmasked – The council voted to begin singing at the Sundayoutdoor 8:15 AM service, June 13th and refrain from singing in the indoor services throughout the summer. Whether ushers and other worship assistants should be required to continue to wear gloves and masks – The councilvoted that gloves and masks not be required. When to implement these changes? Effective immediately, except as noted.In Christ,The St. Luke Council & Pastors
Plan to join us Friday, May 7th, 2021 | 7pm (log in 15-30 minutes prior) LFSRM’s 27th Annual Gala TOGETHER WE GROW! Get your tickets here! Enjoy an evening celebrating the hope and growth we’ve seen over the past year. Join us as we recognize and award some of our incredible volunteers and partners from Las Cruces, Albuquerque, Summit County, and Denver! We’ll also share program updates, hear a story from an incredible family, participate in a live paddle raise, and have a fun silent auction for you. If you’re a longtime gala attendee, we can’t wait to have you join us again this year as we livestream the event from a studio. If you’ve never joined us before, this is the perfect year to check us out! Head to our registration page to see our updated ticket pricing for this event. We love connecting with you and cannot wait to “see” you! Questions? Email Emily Ureste at emily.ureste@lfsrm.org.
BUCKET OF CHANGE
BUCKET OF CHANGE Your donations of change in April will benefit the CLN-KIDS, formerly Cuidando Los Niños CLN-Kids has been serving the Albuquerque homeless community since 1988. Their goal is to make sure homeless children and their families never become homeless again. For children, this means providing the highest quality early childhood education. For parents, this means offering proven support programs utilizing “trauma-informed practices”. Programs include job training, life-skills training and other educational resources to put them on the path to self-sufficiency. You may place your gifts in the Bucket at church or give online at StLukeABQ.org; click “Give Now,” or send your donation to the church office by postal mail. Thank you St. Luke family for your gift to ELCA World Hunger: Bucket of Change in February 2021: $ 231.39bu