The Healthy Church Team (HCT) continues our given task of monitoring and adjusting policies in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. We continue to closely monitor Covid metrics in the Henrico/Richmond area, public policy and guidance from public health officials. We know that all are weary and looking toward normalcy. We so very much want to be together. In view of declining Covid-19 numbers and case outcomes, we believe that we can now make changes to our church mitigation policies. These policies are effective for worship and all other activities at the church, including Trinity Preschool:
Beginning Sunday, March 6 (and Tuesday, March 1 for the Preschool), we will change our mask policy. While the HCT recommends that individuals continue to follow CDC and Virginia Department of Health guidance for masking while indoors, masks will not be required.
The exception for our worship services will be the Sanctuary balcony. The balcony will a space for those who prefer to be in proximity to other masked persons. In the balcony, masks correctly worn (covering both nose and mouth) are required. Please do not lower your mask to sing or speak. In addition, we request that those worshipping in the balcony continue to observe social distancing practices.
Regular worship services (both 9 AM and 11 AM) will continue to be livestreamed.
There will no longer be restrictions on food or drink.
While we are removing the mask mandate, we would ask that all ministries, classes and small groups discuss whether they would prefer that the group wear masks when meeting indoors and consider the needs and requests of their members in reaching a consensus on this decision.
Some activities may be moved outside as soon as practicable as a safety measure.
We know that these changes will be welcome news for many. We also know that the presence of unmasked people will be a cause of concern for others, or even a reason to stay away. The differences of feelings and comfort levels have made this pandemic all the more difficult. Let us remember that we are Christians and have been charged by our Lord to treat one another with love and respect.
We hope that we are moving into a new normalcy. But we must all be aware that a surge in cases or the rise of a new variant could cause a return to mitigation measures. The HCT will continue to monitor conditions and may make changes to this policy in the future if warranted. In all things, our hope and trust are in God, and our prayer is that we may be found faithful in all things.
Join us in Trinity Hall on Tuesday, May 10 at 10:00 AM for The Hermitage Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.
Everyone is invited to hear Amy Chapman, executive director of the Hermitage Richmond, present a program on its history and Trinity’s ties to it, which go back to its founding over 70 years ago. We will have a covered dish luncheon after the program. Bring your dish before 10:00 AM.
Request for “gently used” clothes for students in grades K-5 at Holton Elementary school in Richmond. Let’s define “gently used”: Donated clothing must be recently washed, in good condition–free of holes, fraying, rips and stains. The Richmond-based nonprofit, Little Hands, reminds their donors to think in terms of “quality is dignity.”
At this time, the school needs the following items for boys and girls:
Long sleeved shirts and long sleeved t-shirts
Sweaters and sweatshirts
Pants, jeans and leggings
Coats/windbreakers
Socks
Underwear
Request all donated clothing be packaged in plastic trash bags. These bags can be dropped off in Trinity Hall on Fridays from 9 AM – 2 PM or on Sundays from 9 AM – 1 PM. If you have questions, you can email Beth Monroe at bethmonr@gmail.com or Bill Pike at bpike@trinityrva.net
The Honduras Team will be going from January 22 to January 30. There is still time to put together letters and notes to go with them. All notes need to be at Trinity by Friday, January 21. Here is the team that is going:
Louisa Lackey Kristen Powell Mike Thompson Joseph Thompson Joe Stegman Debbie Stegman Vince Keipper Eileen Keipper Frances Rogers Bill Quinn Smita Quinn Jim Huddle
The Trinity Healthy Church Team (HCT) met on Tuesday, January 11, 2022.
Team members discussed the current Trinity COVID policies in place and the fact that adult small groups have made different decisions for their meetings (some deciding to gather remotely, some meeting in person while masked, and meeting unmasked) as well as feedback received that groups appreciate the autonomy to make their own decisions.
Team members also noted the significantly high levels of COVID transmission in Henrico County (as of this writing, there are an average of 672 new cases a day in Henrico County, almost triple the number of average cases (240) recorded during the previous high as of January 20, 2021) as well as the current capacity constraints in local hospitals and the recent decision by VCU to cancel elective surgeries due to high numbers of COVID patients.
In addition, team members discussed the contingency plans in place in case Trinity staff members test positive for COVID and are unable to lead worship or other church functions for a period of time.
After discussion, the HCT agreed that it would not make any changes to Trinity’s healthy church policies in place at this time, although it would continue to monitor conditions and make future changes if warranted. During this time the HCT respectfully requests that:
all Trinity members make prudent decisions about their participation in church activities and avoid in person activities if you have tested positive for COVID in line with CDC guidance.
adult small groups making decisions about in person gatherings continue to do so with the input of all members.
Trinity members consider the use of KN95 masks (which provide a higher level of protection) during worship or other indoor functions where masks are used.
Masks will continue to be required for all worship services and any other large (more than 30 persons) indoor gatherings, as well as for activities involving students and kids.
HCT members (like everybody) expressed weariness with COVID, and we prayed to God to guide our decisions and to end this pandemic. In the interim, we will continue to pray, diligently monitor conditions, solicit feedback and make the very best decisions we can for our church.
Do you have a kindergartener or Third-grader who would like to receive a bible from the church? Contact Jen at jwilliams@trinityrva.net and she will send you more information. We will be presenting the bibles to these age groups in the next couple of months.
