Restoring ELC
As ELC moves forward with our phased restoration plan, we look toward rebuilding our way of being church, a united body of Christ. A brief overview of that restoration plan can be found here.
Our mission at Edgebrook Lutheran Church is to transform lives by sharing a saving faith in Jesus Christ and by living the Gospel through service. We have shared the gospel of Jesus Christ through words of support and compassion and through actions of care, generosity, and service in so many ways these past months, and seek to continue transforming lives by loving our neighbor and engaging the community in new ways that embody and model that love.
From the Metropolitan Chicago Synod Guidelines for Restoring the Synod (and congregations), “To love our neighbor necessitates action to protect our community, staff, pastor, and all people of all ages, physical/mental abilities, cultural/ethnic backgrounds, along with all those who make up the diversity of the body of Christ.”
We are committed to providing a clean and safe environment for all who come to our worship and community spaces, and we have devoted our time and energy into strategies to protect us from the virus while engaging one another in meaningful ways. These strategies include:
Promoting physical distancing and everyone wearing masks/face coverings
Continuing with online worship services
Adding more and shorter in-person worship services with group size limits and specific ways to minimize physical contact and limit the spread of droplets that could propel particles.
Continuing a regimented cleaning and disinfecting schedule, and displaying hand sanitizer in prominent places.
Returning to the church building is not, and should not, be based on our own comfort or desires alone. We must take precautions in order to care for all people – for those returning soon and those worshipping and engaging in ministries from home. For a clearer picture of what these guidelines look like as we return, please see our Restoring ELC Guide. (see below)
These times have been difficult for most and new for all, and so we have carefully discerned and discussed what is best for our congregational life together right now. We will continue those conversations in the future as the coronavirus situation evolves, and look to guidance at the synodical, local, state, and federal levels.
Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we receive these guidelines together so we can welcome all people with a commitment to full inclusion, grow as Jesus’ disciples, and put God first in all we do. We can and we will get through this together. God is with us.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Christina Garrett Klein & Edgebrook Lutheran Church Council
