May 2021
The CVUU Board of directors met Thursday, May 20, 2021. Board meeting minutes are typically available upon request from the CVUU Board Secretary (Ken Saucer) or Congregational Administrator (Susie Gullixson), approximately 30 days after the date of the Board meeting. The Board meets every month on Zoom during COVID-19 circumstances. The meeting is usually on the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. The meeting is open for congregants to observe. Congregants who want to present something to the Board must notify CVUU Board President Anne Odell prior to the meeting, so it can be included on the agenda. The following is a synopsis of pertinent items.
Director of Religious Education (DRE) – Paul Greggs – CVUU is averaging 19-21 youth participating in Religious Education (RE). Chalice Camp is scheduled for July 12 through July 16, 2021. There will be a virtual and an in-person component for Chalice Camp.
Re-Opening CVUU
The guiding resources for the Board’s decisions are Governor Ralph Northam’s guidance and the directions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Re-opening Task Force also provides guidance and resources to the Board. The following information is from the May 14, 2021 Press Release “Governor Northam Lifts Mask Mandate to Align with CDC Guidance, Announces Virginia to End COVID-19 Mitigation Measures on May 28.
On May 14, the Governor “lifted Virginia’s universal indoor mask mandate to align with new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).” The Governor “Also announced that Virginia will ease all distancing and capacity restrictions on Friday, May 28, two weeks earlier than planned. The updates to Virginia’s mask policy are reflected in amendments to the Executive Order Seventy-Two and will become effective at midnight tonight (on May 15, 2021) along with previously announced changes to mitigation measures.”
“The CDC guidelines state that fully-vaccinated individuals do not have to wear masks in most indoor settings, except on public transit, in health care facilities, and in congregate settings. Businesses retain the ability to require masks in their establishments. Employees who work in certain business sectors—including restaurants, retail, fitness, personal care, and entertainment—must continue to wear masks unless fully vaccinated, per CDC guidance. Those who are unvaccinated or not fully-vaccinated are strongly encouraged to wear masks in all settings.”
Outdoor work on the CVUU Grounds
All persons must wear a mask and practice social distancing while working on the grounds and in the building. The building is accessible by Board members, staff, and an extremely limited number of others, primarily those who are doing work on the building.
Scheduled Outdoor Events
Courtesy of the Re-opening Task Force and Board adoption, CVUU has a specific Application for Outdoor Events. Please ask the Office Administrator for a copy and apply at least 30 days before the event. The application is reviewed by Board members, and the organizer is informed of the decision. Masks will be worn, and social distancing practiced. Church bathrooms may be used by one person at a time. The Office Administrator will schedule all approved events. For outdoor events, the designated Safety Ambassador is the escort. The requirement for a bathroom escort may be removed when committees and events are held on a more consistent and regular basis.
Committee Meetings Outside
CVUU Committees and groups may meet outside if the members mask and practice social distancing. Committees should fill out the Application for Outdoor Events and follow the process above. Committees may apply once for multiple meeting days (such as the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m.). The Committee Chair will track attendees through an RSVP. The Office Administrator will program the space for the approved meeting(s). Bathrooms may be used by one person at a time. Where Wi-Fi is available, hybrid meetings would also be allowed.
Small Group Meetings Inside the Church
Small groups may also fill out the Application for indoor events and indicate clearly that they want to meet in the building and in which room. These applications will be accepted in June for small indoor meetings in July. The applications will be reviewed and processed as indicated above.
June 20 In-Person Services
On June 20, 2021, two services will be available:
a) In-person outside service will be held in the Gathering Area from 9:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Attendees must make a reservation, wear a mask, and practice social distancing.
The church bathroom may be used one person at a time. The additional stalls in the bathroom may be blocked or locked to ensure only one person uses the restroom at a time.
b) Virtual service will be held at 11 a.m. This will be accessed through our regular process. The Courier will have the link to the service.
September 12 Homecoming Service
The Homecoming service will be in-person, outside, and may use multiple locations. It may be possible to extend Wi-Fi service to additional areas on the property.
The safety precautions for the June 20 meeting will also be in effect for the September 12 service, unless the Board issues new guidance.
There will also be a virtual service.
General Guidelines the Board is Considering for Indoor Activities
1. A positivity rate of less than 5 % in Hampton Roads
2. A vaccination rate of 70% in Hampton Roads
At the CVUU Annual meeting on June 13 the Board will review the Board’s policies on meetings and events with respect to re-opening.
The remainder of the May 21, 2021 agenda was tabled without further discussion due to time constraints.
Board Bouquets – Barbara Gelzer for her service as Chair of the Grounds Committee; Sally Daniel and CREC for the Chalice Making Workshop on May 15, 2021, which was well-attended. Paul Greggs and Rayven Holmes for keeping the children of CVUU fully engaged and participating in Religious Education.