OFFICE REOPENING ... A Message from the Synod Staff
Friends,
The Allegheny Synod Office will reopen on June 22 with regular hours, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Staff will be in the office Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (22, 23, 24) during regular business hours and working remotely on Thursday and Friday (25, 26). We will see people on an appointment-only basis for the time being. If you need to come to the office, please call ahead to make an appointment. We respectfully request that when you come to the office, you wear a mask and practice social distancing. If you serve on a committee that is meeting in the Synod Office, we ask the same—masks and distancing. If there is not enough room in the conference room for distancing, please make arrangements for a Zoom meeting or a larger space off-site in which distancing can occur.
As always, the staff is available via e-mail:
Bishop Rhyne: bishopmichael@alleghenysynod.com
Pastor Paula: paula.schmitt@alleghenysynod.com
Pastor Becca: becca.ehrlich@alleghenysynod.com
Michelle Bossler: michelle.bossler@alleghenysynod.com
We will post our in-office time for the week of June 29 by June 25.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work toward safely returning to the office and hosting you.
Peace be with you+
The Allegheny Synod Staff
ELCA Resource page
https://www.elca.org/publichealth?_ga=2.98241311.1427250530.1591730680-1289467191.1591730680
PA Government Reopening page
https://www.governor.pa.gov/process-to-reopen-pennsylvania/
PA Government news brief on reopening
CDC Community page
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html
Guidelines for GREEN PHASE from Governor Wolf
Work & Congregate Setting Restrictions
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Continued Telework Strongly Encouraged
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Businesses with In-Person Operations Must Follow Updated Business and Building Safety Requirements
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All Businesses Operating at 50% Occupancy in the Yellow Phase May Increase to 75% Occupancy
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Child Care May Open Complying with Guidance
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Congregate Care Restrictions in Place
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Prison and Hospital Restrictions Determined by Individual Facilities
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Schools Subject to CDC and Commonwealth Guidance
Social Restrictions
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Large Gatherings of More Than 250 Prohibited
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Restaurants and Bars Open at 50% Occupancy
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Personal Care Services (including hair salons and barbershops) Open at 50% Occupancy and by Appointment Only
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Indoor Recreation, Health and Wellness Facilities, and Personal Care Services (such as gyms and spas) Open at 50% Occupancy with Appointments Strongly Encouraged
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All Entertainment (such as casinos, theaters, and shopping malls) Open at 50% Occupancy
Construction Activity May Return to Full Capacity with Continued Implementation of Protocols
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All businesses must follow CDC and DOH guidance for social distancing and cleaning
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Monitor public health indicators, adjust orders and restrictions as necessary
These documents and links have helpful suggestions for re-opening to consider:
Resuming Care-filled worship and Sacramental life
Spectrum tool for reopening churches
CDC article on getting your household ready
CDC article for faith-based organizations
PA Council of Churches resources
https://www.pachurches.org/a-pastoral-statement-at-a-time-of-global-pandemic/
https://www.pachurchesadvocacy.org/pa-dept-of-ag-covid-19-resources/
https://www.pachurchesadvocacy.org/federal-covid-19-resources/
https://www.pachurchesadvocacy.org/volunteer-during-covid-19/
https://www.pachurchesadvocacy.org/love-comfort-resources/
LAMPa resources page:
Tithe.ly Resource
Online worship attendance tracking document