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The following is an update from Asbury’s Church Council on COVID-19 policy at Asbury Church

When Asbury returned to in-person worship services and other church activities, Church Council established a policy to follow the CDC’s data for Lehigh County.

The CDC established a color-coded system: Green for low case volume, Yellow for rising case volume and hospitalizations and Red for when the spread of new Covid-19 infections increases to the point where it is prudent to take extra precautions to slow the spread of the virus.

Lehigh County is experiencing significant increases in new Covid-19 cases. When the combination of newly diagnosed cases and Covid-19 hospital admissions reach high thresholds, the CDC moves a county into Red status. On Thursday, May 12, the CDC moved Lehigh County’s status to Red, indicating high community spread of Covid-19.

We recognize this information could be surprising for you because much of Pennsylvania is in the Green or Yellow status. Unfortunately, Lehigh County’s Covid-19 profile now mirrors the high Covid-19 levels in parts of northeast Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. This means we need to take extra steps to protect everyone attending services and other activities at Asbury.

Church Council has reviewed and discussed the data throughout the weekend. Based on the policy established to protect members and guests at Asbury and the high level of community spread currently in our area, Asbury will move from “masks optional” to “masks strongly recommended” for all indoor activities effective Monday May 16.

We know this is disappointing given how much our members have enjoyed worshipping without masks. However, we are dealing with the most contagious respiratory virus in history and need to continue to be flexible in order to worship safely.

Church Council is monitoring the CDC dashboard regularly and will as adjust based on the rate of Covid-19’s spread in Lehigh County.

Thank you for your understanding.

Based on the latest recommendation from the CDC, and Lehigh County’s status as “medium risk” based on CDC metrics, Asbury’s Church Council has approved the church to move to a mask-optional phase effective Sunday, March 6.

This mask-optional phase puts the following changes info effect:

• Masks are optional for worship and for all activities* regardless of vaccination status. We encourage you to make the choice most comfortable for you, your family, and/or your meeting group.
• A section for socially distanced seating will be available in worship services.
• Group leaders are encouraged to decide what is best for their group, taking into consideration the unique composition of the group attendees. Leaders may opt for a mask-optional group, a fully masked group, or a group that meets virtually.

*PLEASE NOTE: because masking in non-worship settings is at the discretion of group/meeting leaders, you may still be required to wear a mask to participate in particular groups/meetings. Please check with your group leader to see what your group’s policy is.

Church Council’s next meeting is on Wednesday, March 9, and will discuss additional updates to the COVID policy.

Thank you for your continued patience as we navigate the ongoing pandemic.

Due to Lehigh County moving into the “substantial” transmission category, following the guidance of the CDC and the Eastern PA Conference of the United Methodist Church, Asbury’s leadership announces the following updates to coronavirus-related policies at Asbury effective immediately:

• masks are REQUIRED for ALL indoor gatherings/activities, regardless of vaccination status
• singing in worship is still allowed, but with masks remaining on

Asbury’s leadership will continue to monitor the situation and update policies as needed. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work to keep Asbury a safe place to gather and grow as we seek Jesus together.