See below for FLC’s multi-phase plan that describes the steps we may take in the reopening process provided certain public health conditions and directives are met.

There is no timeline for each of these phases and that is intentional. Decisions will be made based on the Governor’s regulations, recommendations from the ELCA and local church leaders, the CDC, the Iowa Department of Public Health, Winneshiek County Public Health and data surrounding community spread in Winneshiek County.

You will notice that we have begun requesting that visitors to the FLC building wear a mask. We would like to provide masks for those who do not have them. If you have extra unused paper or cloth masks that you would be willing to donate, please contact the church office (563-382-2638) to coordinate a drop-off time.

As of June 15, 2020, FLC is operating in Phase II of the reopening plan, allowing for small groups (committees, meetings, studies, etc.) to meet in the church building. Click here for information about what visitors to the FLC building should expect and for information on scheduling small group gatherings.

FLC COVID-19 Phased Reopning Plan

Phase I
If the state of Iowa maintains social distancing regulations, and limits gatherings to 10 people or fewer, First Lutheran Church will consider the following practices:

• Online worship services only
• Online education activities, small groups, and meetings
• Program staff encouraged to work from home
• Office open for essential functions, with diligent cleaning and sanitizing of utilized spaces
• Limited building access, following proper social distancing protocol; request that all visitors to the building wear masks.
• As permitted by law, funerals and weddings can be hosted in the sanctuary provided
  • The gathering is limited to ten people or less in the facility, including pastors, funeral directors, etc.
  • Participants maintain proper social distancing, and wear face masks at all times while in the building
  • Worship space, entry doors, restrooms, and other utilized spaces are thoroughly cleaned following each service.
  • No food or beverages are served
• Anyone who is high risk for more severe COVID-19 illness (people over 65 and those with underlying conditions) should continue to stay home.

Phase II
If after the implementation of phase one there continues to be at least two consecutive weeks of decline in case counts of COVID-19 in the state of Iowa and Winneshiek County, and regulations allow for a) gatherings of more than ten people (but less than 50), or b) businesses functioning at half-capacity or less, First Lutheran Church will consider the following practices:

• Continue online worship services
• Online education activities, small groups, and meetings are recommended and encouraged
• Some small group gatherings may take place in the church building provided
  • Participants maintain proper social distancing and wear face masks at all times
  • Diligent cleaning/sanitizing of utilized spaces
  • No group singing or wind instruments
  • No food or beverages are served
• Program staff encouraged to work from home
• Office open for essential functions, with diligent cleaning and sanitizing of utilized spaces
• Limited building access, following proper social distancing protocol; request that all visitors to the building wear masks.
• Support for small group worship or fellowship outside of the church, subject to current limitations for social gatherings
• Funerals and weddings can be hosted in the sanctuary provided
  • The gathering is limited to a predetermined number of people, including pastors, in the entire facility based on current regulations (limited either by recommendations for size of social gathering of by recommendations for percentage capacity)
  • Participants maintain proper social distancing, and wear face masks at all times while in the building
  • Worship space, entry doors, restrooms, and other utilized spaces are thoroughly cleaned following each service.
  • No food or beverages are served
  • No group singing or wind instruments
• Anyone who is high risk for more severe COVID-19 illness (people over 65 and those with underlying conditions) should continue to stay home.

Phase III
If after the implementation of phase two there continues to be at least two consecutive weeks of decline in case counts of COVID-19 in the state of Iowa and Winneshiek County, and regulations a) allow for gatherings of 50 people or more, or b) recommend businesses to function between half and full capacity, First Lutheran Church will consider the following practices:

• Continue to hold online worship services
• Begin offering limited in-person worship opportunities, subject to social gathering and business capacity limitations, and subject to specific guideline determine by FLC for Phase III in-person worship provided
  • Participants maintain proper social distancing, and wear face masks at all times while in the building
  • Worship does not include communion, physical contact, group singing, or wind instruments
  • Worship space, entry doors, restrooms, and other utilized spaces are thoroughly cleaned following each service.
  • We refrain from offering nursery care, children’s play area, or activity bag
• Funerals and weddings are allowed in the sanctuary, following the guidelines for in person worship
  • No food or beverages are served
• Online education activities, small groups, and meetings are recommended and encouraged
• Small group gatherings may take place in the church building provided
  • Participants maintain proper social distancing and adhere to limitations and regulations in place for regular worship
  • Diligent cleaning/sanitizing of utilized spaces
  • No group singing or wind instruments
  • No food or beverages are served
• Office open for essential functions, with diligent cleaning and sanitizing of utilized spaces
• Building visitors follow proper social distancing protocol; request that all visitors to the building wear masks.
• Program staff may work in the building or off-site
• Anyone who is high risk for more severe COVID-19 illness (people over 65 and those with underlying conditions) should continue to stay home.

Phase IV
If after the implementation of phase two there continue to be at least two consecutive weeks of decline in case counts of COVID-19 in the state of Iowa and Winneshiek County, and all size/capacity regulations are lifted for social gatherings and businesses, First Lutheran Church will consider the following practices:

• Continue to hold online worship services
• Expand in-person worship opportunities subject to specific guideline determine by FLC for Phase III in-person worship, provided
  • Participants commit to healthy practices regarding hand-washing, refraining from face-touching, and similar guidelines; face masks are encouraged
  • Worship does not include physical contact, group singing, or wind instruments
  • Worship space, entry doors, restrooms, and other utilized spaces are thoroughly cleaned following each service.
• Funerals and weddings are allowed in the sanctuary, following the guidelines for in person worship
• Online education activities, small groups, and meetings are encouraged
• Small group gatherings may take place in the church building provided
  • Participants maintain proper social distancing and adhere to limitations and regulations in place for regular worship
  • Diligent cleaning/sanitizing of utilized spaces
  • No group singing or wind instruments

Phase V
When considering a full reopening of the church facility for worship, fellowship, and education, First Lutheran Church will take into account the following factors:

• Local, national, and global numbers of infected persons
• Evidence of significant slowing or eradication of the virus
• Accessibility and effectiveness of vaccines and treatments
• Outside guidance related to group speaking, group singing, and wind instruments
• Please note that research data are not fully available about the risk related to these activities and we will need to be pragmatic and planful to continue risk mitigation