Pastor Erik and the Leadership Team are considering some alternative ways to gather in-person through the fall and winter months, with a focus on shorter gatherings outdoors, as studies have shown that outdoor gatherings are 20 times less likely to cause transmission of COVID-19 than indoor gatherings.
These could include events such as the following:
- A Reformation Sunday afternoon outdoor gathering to have some fellowship, sing A Mighty Fortress, maybe share some hot chocolate, celebrate being a congregation and being Lutheran.
- In the weeks prior to All Saints Sunday, those who wish could come to the church in household units to be recorded lighting a candle and saying the name of a loved one, which would then be included in online worship.
- With the likelyhood that most Remembrance Day events will be cancelled or moved online, there could be an opportunity for prayer and moment of silence together at SPLC.
- A revived live nativety OR Advent/Christmas carolling events in December.
- An outdoor gathering for prayer, and singing Silent Night by candle light for Christmas Eve.
- Some kind of winter celebration in January with good weather.
- A secret Valentine/ St. Valentine event in February.
- "Ashes to Go" for Ash Wednesday
- Outdoor Lenten vespers, campfire style
- Easter Sunrise worship and fellowship outdoors
- A return to outdooer worship once the snow is gone and weather improves enough.