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***** Even though Grace Lutheran is closed during Coronavirus pandemic, your offerings are still needed to help with still heating the church, staff still working behind the scenes so that we can all be connected at a distance. To give online: go to menu at top left, in the drop down click on Online Offerings, the click on the donate button. You can also still mail in your offerings to the church, Grace Lutheran 301 E. Conan St. Ely, MN 55731. Thank you.
During the Coronavirus pandemic, the church will be closed for all services, meetings, and gatherings during this time. Please join us on our Facebook page for online services Sunday mornings and a devotional that is posted everyday. https://www.facebook.com/gracelutheranely/ Don't have Facebook? No problem, click the menu button at the top the click on Online Services. Greetings Grace Lutheran, Like you, I am doing my best to keep up with all the information that is coming out about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) as well as the continued spread of influenza and other cold and flu viruses and illnesses. Also, like you, I want what is best for those affected by COVID-19 including the many who are already sick with the illness around the world. As your pastor, I also want what is best for you, your friends and families, for our community, and for myself. Know that the council and I are in discussion for best practices at Grace. As you come to worship and meetings, you will notice some small but significant changes. In light of all the developments that seemingly come in every minute and every hour, I thought it would be best to remind you of some best practices. These tips come from places like the CDC and WHO and are likely nothing new to you, but may be helpful to keep in mind.
Also know that Grace will be implementing various changes to the ways in which we do communion, share the peace, collect offering, collect attendance slips, distribute coffee and treats during fellowship time. These will likely change from week to week, but will start on Sunday, March 15. You will be notified as information becomes available. Simply, know that precautions are being taken to avoid the spread of germs that lead to illness. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate an unfamiliar situation to us all. Peace Pastor Eric For more information about COVID-19, you can go to these helpful links: https://www.cdc.gov/ https://www.who.int/ https://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/Worship_in_Times_of_Public_Health_Concerns.pdf?_ga=2.132153102.183101534.1583946374-539639482.1540824682 http://www.nemnsynod.org/ https://www.elca.org/News-and-Events/8025 In light of the many illnesses going around, both COVID-19 and the various strains of influenza still present and the concern for everyone's health and well-being, Grace Lutheran is attempting to be as prepared as possible. Know that Pastor Eric is consulting with the council and others in the congregation to take steps toward keeping people healthy. Please read the attached letter from Pastor Eric. In advance of worship this Sunday, the following are changes that are being made. Sharing of the Peace/Greeters: We will be moving to non-contact ways of sharing the peace. Hand waves, bowing, peace sign, and other non-contact ways of sharing the peace are strongly encouraged. Please refrain from handshakes, fist bumps, elbow bumps Communion: We will be using cup trays for the receiving of the wine. Please only touch one cup. We will otherwise be continuing the same way of communing. Please also remember that receiving either the bread or the wine counts as having received the fullness of communion based on our theological teachings. So, if you wish to receive either bread or wine, that is also acceptable. Communion servers will continue to use hand sanitizer or wash their hands prior to serving Offering/Noisy Offering/Attendance Slips: We will not be passing offering plates or noisy offering buckets nor will ushers be collecting the attendance slips as they usually do. In its place, you will be invited to place the appropriate items into designated areas as you enter or exit the sanctuary. Fellowship/Coffee Hour: For those serving coffee/doughnuts, you will be asked to wear gloves as you prepare the coffee and doughnuts as well as when you collect the used cups, napkins, etc. You will also be asked to use tongs to distribute doughnuts/cookies to people. For those who wish to partake in coffee/doughnuts/cookies, you are asked to wait to have someone who is serving give you the item(s) you desire. Don't forget to wash your hands and, if you even have a symptom like a coughing, sneezing, or runny nose, please stay home. Thank you all for your patience and understanding as we navigate our current health and well-being situations. Grace Lutheran Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30a to 12:30p Closed on National Holidays Phone Number: 218-365-5605 (if calling outside of office hours, please leave a voicemail) Email: gracelutheranelymn@gmail.com ALL ARE WELCOME! Service times are Sundays at 9:30a. Grace is Handicapped accessible, elevator is on the 3rd ave. entrance. We have nursery, and Sunday School. Here at Grace we believe in open communion, it's for everybody that would like to participate. Join us after service for social (coffee, donuts, juice for kids)
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT GRACE….. During the Coronavirus pandemic, the church will be closed for all services, meetings, and gatherings during this time. Please join us on our Facebook page for online services Sunday mornings and everyday devotional. https://www.facebook.com/gracelutheranely/ |
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ANNOUNCEMENTS:
June 15-19. Once again, it is free! We invite you to register your child for camp by filling out a Christian Day Camp Registration Form and return it to the church either by mail or drop it off in the office or Christian Ed. mailbox. These forms can be found outside the church office.
***Attention ALL Members of the Congregation***:
*We are looking for someone who would be willing to allow the 3 college aged staff members, who are sent from Voyageur Lutheran Ministry to put on the camp at our church, to stay in your home during the week of camp: June 14-19
*We are looking for people who would be willing to volunteer their time during Christian Day Camp to help in various ways
*We are also looking for people who would be willing to make a meal for the counselors on one of the nights
they are in Ely.
If you are willing to do any of the above needs, there are sign-up sheets posted in the office window.
Grace Lutheran Church Closing Policy
Weekdays:
- Grace Lutheran Scholarship Fund…..The Grace Lutheran Scholarship Fund is currently funded by donations and interest from a small investment fund. Donations, small or large, to the Scholarship Fund would be greatly appreciated and can be made anytime during the year. A donation to the Scholarship Fund might be a “Love” gift for a special occasion or a donation as a memorial. A donation to the Scholarship Fund will be an investment in our youth. Make checks payable to Grace Lutheran Church and mark it Scholarship THANK YOU!
- Families of children who have completed Kindergarten thru 5th gr.:
June 15-19. Once again, it is free! We invite you to register your child for camp by filling out a Christian Day Camp Registration Form and return it to the church either by mail or drop it off in the office or Christian Ed. mailbox. These forms can be found outside the church office.
***Attention ALL Members of the Congregation***:
*We are looking for someone who would be willing to allow the 3 college aged staff members, who are sent from Voyageur Lutheran Ministry to put on the camp at our church, to stay in your home during the week of camp: June 14-19
*We are looking for people who would be willing to volunteer their time during Christian Day Camp to help in various ways
*We are also looking for people who would be willing to make a meal for the counselors on one of the nights
they are in Ely.
If you are willing to do any of the above needs, there are sign-up sheets posted in the office window.
Grace Lutheran Church Closing Policy
Weekdays:
- Grace Lutheran will follow the Ely School system when deciding to close during the school year due to inclement weather
- All church related activities will be canceled when the Ely Schools are closed or let out early
- You are encouraged to use caution when traveling, use your best judgment when road and weather conditions are more severe