COVID-19 Information

COVID-19 Information

As we continue to monitor the situation with the COVID-19 virus, watching for signals from national, state, and local officials and listening carefully to leaders in our neighboring states and dioceses, the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon is committed to do all in our power to slow the progress of the spread of this virus.  

This page will be updated frequently with news and resources for the churches of our diocese. Please check back regularly for pastoral instructions from Bishop Michael, information on participating in online worship, and other helpful links from The Episcopal Church and other organizations.

Gatherings in the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon

Oregon Phase 2 Gathering Guidelines (June 24, 2020)

As the State of Oregon wrestles with understanding what is necessary to address our communities’ safety, their guidelines for reopening have changed. All congregations that have or plan to open need to be compliant with state and relevant county guidelines.

Below are the most recent guidelines for event operators and gatherings, both of which are applicable for churches. These guidelines are applicable for counties in Phase 1 and Phase 2. Specific questions regarding state regulations and local guidelines should be addressed with your county’s Public Health office.

If you have already submitted a plan, please adjust your practices to meet these new standards. If you have not yet submitted a plan, please address these required components in your plan to reengage your building.

Some of the highlighted changes include requirements that churches:

  • Post signs throughout facility with symptoms and encouraging people to go home if sick
  • Post signs throughout facility with info on who to contact if someone gets sick
  • Provide hand sanitizer throughout
  • Require reservations or advanced tickets
  • Determine maximum occupancy of each indoor and outdoor area using 35 square feet per person
  • Assign physical distancing monitor
  • Use specific EPA approved disinfectants
  • Assign sanitation attendant

Helpful Links:

 

Guidelines for Reengaging our Church Buildings (May 18, 2020)

We are living in extremely difficult and challenging times but times also that call us to a deeper sense of God’s presence and abiding love. The document that follows outlines our thinking at this time as we consider how to reengage with our buildings and continue the ministry of Jesus to the world. These guidelines are to be considered diocesan norms for this time until further notice, superseding any legal rulings on church openings. At the end of the diocesan guidelines you will also find information on the states phased reopening plan for Oregon. This is provided in order to give you the context for our diocesan guidelines.

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Guías Diocesanas para los edificios de nuestra Iglesia
Estamos viviendo en tiempos extremadamente difíciles y complicados que a la vez traen un llamado hacia la presencia de Dios y su eterno amor. Las siguientes páginas son una guía de nuestros pensamientos y como consideramos regresar a nuestros edificios para continuar con el ministerio de Jesús hacia el mundo. Esta guía será considerada como normas diocesanas hasta nuevo aviso, reemplazando cualquier decisión legal sobre la apertura de iglesias. Al fin de este guía también encontraran información del plan de reapertura para el estado de Oregón. Esta información sirve para proveer contexto a nuestras decisiones.

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Diocesan staff will continue to work remotely and can be reached during regular business hours through their diocesan email addresses and phone numbers. Click here for staff contact information.

Some churches in the diocese will remain closed for public worship services and meetings until further notice. Many are holding online worship and prayer services. Click here for a list of those services.

Outreach programs and feeding ministries may continue as essential services only if they can be conducted in ways that comply with the safety procedures for proper distancing and sanitizing. Please check with individual churches on the status of their food pantries, community meals, and other programs.

CDC Interim Guidance for Communities of Faith: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/faith-based.html

Resources

Bishop Michael's Letters to the Diocese

As we continue to learn about COVID-19 and its impact on our churches and communities, Bishop Michael will continue offering advice, encouragement, and support for the people of Oregon.

Click here for his letters to the diocese.