COVID Response Updates

Good Shepherd COVID-19 Protocols rev. December 2022

As of the December Council meeting, they have decided on the following changes related to the COVID alert levels:
– The GS Door signs will no longer change from “masks optional and respected”, regardless of the level reported by the CDC.
– Communion practices will not change based on levels either. Bread will always be served but individual, pre-packaged servings will always be available upon request.

rev. August 16, 2022

 based on Winneshiek County Community Levels found here: https://www.cdc.gov/.

MASKS

Green- low: Masks optional and respected

Yellow- medium and Red-high: Masks recommended and respected

COMMUNION

At all levels, communion bread and individual cups will be used. 

Pre-packaged servings will be available for those who request them.

GENERAL GUIDANCE

If you test positive for COVID or aren’t feeling healthy, stay home and join in worship online. 

If you have been exposed to COVID-19 but have tested negative, please wear a mask in worship until ten days after your exposure even if you are vaccinated and boosted.


Good Shepherd COVID-19 Protocols rev. April 10, 2022 

 based on Winneshiek County Community Levels found here: https://www.cdc.gov/.

Green- low 

  • Masks optional and respected
  • Communion with bread and individual cups

Yellow- medium

  • Masks recommended
  • Communion with bread and individual cups

Red- high 

  • The CDC recommends indoor masking at this level
  • Masks required in worship
  • Communion with pre-packaged servings
  • Masks encouraged in the building, may be removed with the consent of all present

At all levels:

  • If you test positive for COVID or aren’t feeling healthy, stay home and join in worship online. 
  • If you have been exposed to COVID-19 but have tested negative, wear a mask in worship until ten days after your exposure even if you are vaccinated and boosted.
  • Fellowship Hour will continue through the spring and summer, even in red, unless the Congregation Council determines it should be suspended. People are welcome to take coffee and treats outdoors. 
  • Food may be served in the building, masks are requested in the serving line at the red level.

Ministry Support Coordinator, Erica Yaneff, will watch the CDC website each week and update signs on the doors on Friday. If there is a move in or out of the red level, she will alert the congregation via email. 

Good Shepherd COVID Response Plan Updated 1-18-2022

Good Shepherd uses the Luther College alert level assessments to guide our assessment of threat. When Luther moves to a new alert level, we do as well. We have chosen to do this because Luther has staff regularly paying attention to all the threat indicators and because we are closely tied to the college with many worshipers working and studying on campus.

Luther’s pandemic response includes five levels: 0-4

We are guided by Luther’s alert levels but do not follow the same mitigation protocols they do at each level. This is because our contexts are very different.

When Luther is at levels 0 or 1, these are the Good Shepherd COVID mitigation protocols:

  • Masks are required in worship and in offerings for children and youth 
  • Communion is served with bread and individual servings of wine or grape juice, pre-packaged servings are available as well
  • Masks are encouraged in the building and optional in groups with the consent of all present
  • Fellowship Hour can happen, masks are requested in the serving line

When Luther is at alert level 2-4, these are the Good Shepherd COVID mitigation protocols:

  • Masks continue to be required in worship and in offerings for children and youth
  • Masks are required throughout the building
  • Individual pre-packaged communion servings are used
  • Fellowship Hour is suspended indoors, can happen outdoors if able
  • Food may be served in the building at level 2 for small groups and for funerals
  • At levels 3-4, no food is served in the building other than Kinderhaus preschool
  • Education and youth offerings may move to online or at home options
  • Groups may meet in person or with hybrid options