COVID-19 Update Cont. Page 6 Strongly recommend, or perhaps even mandate, that those not vaccinated wear masks and socially distance by at least 6 feet. Move events outside if members of your congregation test COVID positive. 3. Act to keep our children safe. Since they cannot receive a vaccine yet, children under age 12 should be considered high-risk for contracting COVID-19. Create a ‘cocoon of safety’ by asking everyone - vaccinated and unvaccinated - to wear masks at church. Encourage all individuals in your community who qualify to get fully vaccinated since this provides the best way to keep our children safe. Follow the safety guidelines for children’s ministries which can be found here: https:// arumc.org/covid19/safe-church-reopening-guidance/ministries-with-children/ 4. Think ahead. Prepare for flu season by continuing to sanitize hard surfaces, offering hand sanitizing stations, limiting shared surfaces, and offering only pre-packaged foods. Help people understand that there is a possibility for vaccinated individuals to require a booster dose of their vaccine later this year. We do not wish to alarm you, but we believe that churches need to take the lead in keeping people in our congregations and communities safe. Just yesterday, an Arkansas United Methodist Church learned that 4 fully vaccinated members wearing masks who attended wo r s h i p l a s t S u n d a y h a v e b e e n d i a g n o s e d w i t h COVI D . We are grateful for how Arkansas United Methodists have led the way in responsibly addressing the COVID crisis the past 18 months. It is time for us once again to step forward and make a positive difference in our congregations, communities and state as we proactively address the rapidly changing COVID landscape by getting vaccinated, socially distancing and wearing masks. We join you as you pray for each other and care for each other. This statement has been compiled and shared by Bishop Gary Mueller and the Bishop’s COVID-19 Task Force Wesley UMC Newsletter July 2021
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