10/28/22
On the recommendation of the Reopening Task Force, the Wildflower Board of Trustees announced that face masks and social distancing are no longer required in the Wildflower Community Room and classrooms, except for singing. Both are still required for singing.
Both masks and social distancing are still required in the sanctuary.
The children and youth meet in person at the time of the service at blended services on the first, third and fourth Sundays. There are no CYRE classes on the second Zoom-only Sunday. The link to our Zoom services is here. When services are in person, the children and youth begin in the sanctuary for the Time for All Ages and then go to their classes either inside or outdoors.
You may find some other description of our services or children and youth religious education on our website. However, this information is the most up-to-date as we are navigating the pandemic.
Below are details about what to expect at an in-person worship service.
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The Sanctuary
In-person attendance in the sanctuary will be limited to 70 people. If you are not vaccinated, feel uncomfortable with other risk factors, or prefer that modality, please continue to attend via Zoom. Our Zoom link is here.
Social distancing is expected.
Children and Youth
Our Children and Youth Religious Education (CYRE) program offers in-person indoor or outdoor classes during the time of the Sunday Service using masking and social distancing protocols that are appropriate for the situation. Children and youth begin in the worship service in the sanctuary and leave after the Time for All Ages to go to their classes. All of the RE classrooms have HEPA and UV air purifiers.
Our home page description of the Sunday Service will indicate if the CYRE classes are meeting on that Sunday. The pattern will usually be that the second Sunday of the month is a Zoom-only service when there will be no CYRE classes.
Child Care
Childcare will be available for Sunday worship services from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. for infants and children ages 6 weeks to 4 years old. There is an air purifier in the nursery, and the caregivers are vaccinated.
Post-Service Conversation
After-service conversation may be in the courtyard or in the Community Room. The Community Room has a powerful HEPA/UV air purifier. Masks and social distancing are optional in the Community Room (except for singing; both are still required for singing). For outdoor seating, you are also welcome to bring your own chair or blanket from home, or bring chairs from the Community Room and sit outside on the concrete. We are not yet serving food or drinks but you are welcome to bring your own.
If you are attending on Zoom, the Zoom host will invite you to stay for conversation after the service.
Covid Notification
If you test positive for Covid-19 after attending a worship service in person, please notify reopenteam@wildflowerchurch.org immediately so that the other people who attended that service can be informed.
Feedback
Please let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or feedback about this plan. We are working hard to balance safety, inclusiveness, and our very real need to be together in person. You may reach the Reopening Task Force at reopenteam@wildflowerchurch.org. Thank you!
On 5/16/21, the Wildflower Board appointed a Task Force to develop a reopening plan. The Reopening Task Force members are Dee A., Paula V., and Cathy C.
The Reopening Task Force has set forth the following Promises and Values:
Our Promises
⬩ We will do all we can to not put people’s lives at risk while at Wildflower.
⬩ We will use only vetted up-to-date medical and public health information from reliable sources to make decisions.
⬩ Beyond science, we will base our decisions upon our mission, our values, and the Seven Principles.
⬩ We will obey the laws and guidelines set by the State of Texas and guidelines given by the CDC.
⬩ We will be transparent with the congregation and consider the congregation’s input.
⬩ We will apply all recommendations consistently, not making exceptions for individual desires, organizations who use our space, a person’s status at Wildflower, or a decision’s financial impact.
Our Values
Safety. We value the safety of everyone who attends and works at Wildflower, as well as the safety of every person that they are in contact with. In sum, we value the safety of everyone, everywhere, of any age, both inside and outside our congregation.
Inclusivity. We are committed to finding ways for all members/friends to be included, regardless of health status, health vulnerability, or disability. This may mean that we offer a multiplatform approach that reaches out to people in different ways. Many people may not be able to gather in person for quite some time due to various reasons. As a community that values inclusion, we don’t want to create in-person situations that inadvertently exclude those at higher risk or who are disproportionately affected by the pandemic, nor do we want to create situations that force those at higher risk to publicly identify themselves.
Transparency. We are committed to communicating clearly at all times with the congregation and visitors regarding what they can expect at any church gathering in terms of cleanliness policies, social distancing policies, mask policies, vaccination policies, and technological options.
Patience. We value patience over hurriedness. While many of us are eager to see our church friends again in person, we know that patiently examining the pros and cons of each option before implementation is more important than rushing things.
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