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From Bishop Mueller May 29 on Churches Re-Opening
Here is my latest guidance concerning the safe reopening of your church:
1. Governor Hutchinson has indicated he is delaying the start of Phase 2 reopening because we have reached a second peak in the number of Covid-19 cases that can still go even higher. I agree with the Governor's action. Therefore, I highly recommend delaying the beginning of ARUMC Stage 2 which allows 50 or fewer people to gather utilizing Governor's May 4th safety guidance for places of worship-from the middle of June until at least June 28. I will keep you updated in the coming weeks.
2. It is imperative that you treat Governor Hutchinson's May 4 Guidance as a directive that must be followed, regardless of when your church initiates any in-person gatherings of any size. This is non-negotiable- for me and for the State of Arkansas-because unsafe in-person gatherings literally put people's lives at risk.
3. Your church must involve your Board of Trustees in any decisions about reopening any in-person gatherings. Additionally, you must inform your District Superintendent about your plans for safely reopening prior to publicizing any in-person gatherings.
We will be dealing with the impact of Covid-19 for a long time. I know you are weary and, at times, overwhelmed. Take good care of yourself. Do no harm. Treat each other with extravagant grace. And pray. Together, we will get through this.
Grace and peace,
Gary E. Mueller
Bishop
One last word:
The Arkansas Annual Conference has excellent resources available on the conference website at arumc.org/covid19. It provides new updates and webinars on a weekly basis. What is more, in partnership with the Methodist Foundation of Arkansas, the Conference is making PPE masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant available to every church early in June. It is a difficult time. But I have great hope for the future because Arkansas United Methodists are people of deep faith, who will continue to make disciples for Jesus Christ, who make disciples equipped and sent to transform lives, communities and the world.
From Bishop Mueller May 29 on Churches Re-Opening
Here is my latest guidance concerning the safe reopening of your church:
1. Governor Hutchinson has indicated he is delaying the start of Phase 2 reopening because we have reached a second peak in the number of Covid-19 cases that can still go even higher. I agree with the Governor's action. Therefore, I highly recommend delaying the beginning of ARUMC Stage 2 which allows 50 or fewer people to gather utilizing Governor's May 4th safety guidance for places of worship-from the middle of June until at least June 28. I will keep you updated in the coming weeks.
2. It is imperative that you treat Governor Hutchinson's May 4 Guidance as a directive that must be followed, regardless of when your church initiates any in-person gatherings of any size. This is non-negotiable- for me and for the State of Arkansas-because unsafe in-person gatherings literally put people's lives at risk.
3. Your church must involve your Board of Trustees in any decisions about reopening any in-person gatherings. Additionally, you must inform your District Superintendent about your plans for safely reopening prior to publicizing any in-person gatherings.
We will be dealing with the impact of Covid-19 for a long time. I know you are weary and, at times, overwhelmed. Take good care of yourself. Do no harm. Treat each other with extravagant grace. And pray. Together, we will get through this.
Grace and peace,
Gary E. Mueller
Bishop
One last word:
The Arkansas Annual Conference has excellent resources available on the conference website at arumc.org/covid19. It provides new updates and webinars on a weekly basis. What is more, in partnership with the Methodist Foundation of Arkansas, the Conference is making PPE masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant available to every church early in June. It is a difficult time. But I have great hope for the future because Arkansas United Methodists are people of deep faith, who will continue to make disciples for Jesus Christ, who make disciples equipped and sent to transform lives, communities and the world.