UPDATED MASK & VACCINATION POLICY FOR IN-PERSON WORSHIP
EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2022
To our church family and friends,
It is with great joy and excitement that we send this correspondence! Since the spring of 2020, your health and safety have remained our highest priorities. During our re-opening this spring, we informed you that the mask and vaccine requirements would be temporary. Since then, we’ve prayed, trusted God, tracked the numbers, and reviewed the guidance from local, state and federal health agencies. We’ve also observed other effective in-person worship models, particularly for churches larger than ours. As a result, we believe that now is the right time to remove all mask and vaccination requirements to attend worship services at Carter Temple! The requirements will remain in place through August 31. Beginning September 1, masks will be optional (though recommended), and proof of COVID vaccination will no longer be required. Pre-registration continues to not be required.
We appreciate your understanding as we all lived through the unknown of the pandemic. So much of what we did, and continue to do, was in the best interest of you, your families, and our guests. There was no blueprint for churches in this season. Our leadership made decisions based on guidance from the CDC, feedback from you, our church family, and other health experts. Our full re-opening in a few days is indicative of our hopeful anticipation that the worst days of this pandemic are behind us.
The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church continues to stand firmly in support of COVID-19 vaccines, boosters, and mask usage. They have saved thousands of lives and reduced the severity of COVID-related symptoms for many. We are asking that you continue to respect one another's personal decisions with regard to vaccines, subsequent boosters, and mask-wearing preferences as we re-open in September. We will continue to provide temperature scans for all members and guests. As always, if you don't feel well, and/or have a fever, please enjoy worship online. Otherwise, beginning September 4, please join us again in worship!
We look forward to seeing you during our Homecoming Weekend: September 17-18! Join us on Saturday, September 17 for our Outreach Fair (10am-2pm); contact the main office, check your email or social media for clothing and toiletry donation details. Homecoming Sunday is September 18 at 10am. We’ll have worship and then special activities and food on the lot following service. It’s a great time be together again!
Thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued adherence to the measures that support our shared responsibility to ensure the health and safety of our faith community. We are praying that our in-person worship experiences are safe and a blessing to all. If you have any questions, please call 773-874-0175 or send an email to ctcmechicago@gmail.com. We are excited to see you again on Sundays!
In Christ,
Pastor Joseph B. Gordon & Carter Temple CME Church