Peace to you this day! We have been waiting and hoping to write this letter to you. Although our journey through this pandemic experience is far from over, the leadership of Ascension has been praying and preparing for our community to return to some form of in-person worship. After months of pondering and waiting and reflecting and evaluating, the Church Council, in partnership with our staff, has come to the decision to begin gathering for in-person worship on July 12th. This decision comes with cautious optimism and a considerable amount of concern about the days ahead. However, we are also confident in our preparation and expectation of those who will choose to gather for worship on July 12th and the Sundays that follow.

We have been following CDC guidelines, the Greater Milwaukee Synod guidelines, the guidelines of Waukesha County, and the recommendations of our church insurance company. The guidelines often share some of the same information and sometimes overlap with conflicting recommendations. Our Church Council and staff have given great consideration for the process forward desiring to be proactive instead of reactive. Reminding ourselves now, and in the days ahead, that the decisions we make – are for now, and not for forever.

The Church Council continues to stay informed on the current and ever-changing landscape that is the Coronavirus pandemic to offer a way forward while the staff continues to provide detailed direction on how we can all walk together while respecting the needs of each member of our faith community with regard to health, wellness, and safety. If you believe yourself to be in a more high-risk category, we ask you to please stay home. If you are not feeling well or have symptoms of a cough, fever, or shortness of breath, we ask you to stay home. If you have a medical condition that prevents you from wearing a mask, we invite you to stay home. If you are unable to honor these expectations, out of concern for other members of the body of Christ, we ask you to please stay home until a later date when fewer precautions are necessary. The recorded video worship will be available, as it is now, each Sunday at 8 a.m.

Here is the process we will follow as we move towards and gather on Sunday, July 12th:

• We will ask you to sign-up for a specific worship time in order that we will keep track of who is at which time of worship. We will offer the exact same worship service at 8:30, 10, and 11:30 (if needed.)
• The worship style will be much like what you have seen on our video worship with a blending of music from both Vicki and Ben.
• You will be able to sign-up online or by calling the church office – reserving enough space for your family (i.e. A family of four is four spaces to sign-up for online or over the phone.)
• We will only be outside at this time. We will ask you to bring your own seating – though we will have a few chairs available for those with limited strength or unable to find their chairs at home.
• In the event of a weather-related cancelation, you will be notified Sunday morning by email or by phone call depending on how you registered for the worship service.
• You may park in any open parking lot, not blocked off by cones, but will need to walk outside to the back of the church by the kitchen for the worship service.
• Spanish worship will be held on the front lawn. More information about this will be sent to our Spanish-speaking families.
• We will limit each worship service to 75 people (excluding staff/volunteers) and 40 minutes (including communion.)
• You will check-in at one of two stations where you will be asked to sanitize your hands and wear a mask throughout the entire worship experience. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided to you.
• We will ask you to sit in a specific area and ask you to stay in that area except for use of the restroom and during communion – though we know some may need to step to the side to stand or stretch as needed.
• Restrooms will be available inside the building but entrance to the building will be limited to those needing to take advantage of the restrooms. The restrooms will be single-use only – meaning one person at a time.
• We will also ask you not to shake hands or hug anyone throughout your time on the church campus.
• Communion will be offered during the service and instructions will be given before you receive.
• We will ask you to share in the spoken responses but we will ask you not to sing – even outside.
• At the end of the service, we will invite you to return to your vehicles and depart promptly to allow for sanitizing and preparation for next worship service– no coffee will be served.

We expect to continue to offer worship each Sunday by video and outdoors until church leadership determines we are safe to return to inside in-person worship. It is our hope that the congregation will be respectful of the procedures and policies put in place to protect all of us. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Karen Simington, Congregational President, or Pastor Chris.

We are so grateful to God to be able to move in this direction and excited to see you on July 12th and the Sundays that follow.

To God be the glory,

Karen Simington
Council President

Rev. Christian W. Marien
Senior Pastor