Covid-19 Updates

August 5, 2021 Update for Fair Street Reformed Church and The Fairly New Thrift Shop

Masks Up!

Dear Fair Streeter,

With the recent surge of Covid-19 cases in the area and taking the CDC and local recommendations seriously as Ulster County is now on the ‘mask recommended for everyone’ list, we share this update with you all, effective August 5, 2021.

As we watch and listen to the number of cases, the positivity rates, science, and the recommendations AND as we take your health and safely seriously as we have all along, the Safe Church Ministry Team now agrees that we move back to “Masks Up” for everyone when indoors for worship, inside the Church/Education Building and at the Fairly New Thrift Shop.

This past week, we had a reminder that the virus is still present as a volunteer at the Fairly New Thrift Shop did test positive for Covid-19. Thankfully, she is vaccinated and doing fine (we firmly believe that her symptoms were minimal and short lived because she is vaccinated). Out of precaution, we have been working with the Ulster County Health Department who have contacted the volunteers who worked that day. They have all been tested and are following the guidelines of the Health Department. Again, thankfully (at the time of this note) 2 of the 5 tests have already come back negative and contact tracing has freed three additional volunteers from self-isolation. The Thrift Shop will be resuming hours for the weekend, and masks are now required for volunteers and customers, regardless of vaccination status.

It is with this reminder that Covid-19 still present and active in the area, and with the recommendations from CDC, and from a local level being asked to do our part, we are making the move back to masks up indoors, for vaccinated and non-vaccinated persons.

We realize that for many of us, we have gotten used to going without masks, and only wearing them for a few minutes while indoors. This is not an easy decision, or one taken lightly, but one in listening to science, and the recommendations based on the cases in our area. Again, as updates happen, we will continue to adjust accordingly and keep you informed.

We hope to see you this Sunday, August 8 (and every Sunday) for worship as we continue to gather each week in person and on Zoom!

We are beyond grateful for your cooperation, support, and grace as we continue to love and care for the neighbors around us,

The Safe Church Ministry Team

Here are the most recent updates regarding re-opening and easing back on the protocols in place. While the Safe Church Team acknowledges the solid progress in this region, we are still making your well-being, health and safety a priority as we slowly re-engage in pre-pandemic opportunities. Here are the current updates as of June 10, 2021. This page will be updated every two weeks as the Safe Church Team continues to meet.

June 10, 2021

Dear Fair Streeter,

The Safe Church Team has continued to meet regularly for the past year as we have been monitoring the coronavirus pandemic, the impact and looking forward with protocols and safety precautions for the Fair Street Community. This week we spent time on Zoom to update the protocols for Fair Street Church and all the ministries, grounds, and buildings.

In listening to science, following guidelines, and being aware of the current numbers and positivity rates in Ulster County, we share these updates with you. It is important to note that these are subject to change at any given time provided the number of cases and positivity rates rise. We know this is a lot of information, but we felt it important to share these with you as we move forward and hope you take time to read through the following updates.

We also are living into the honor system, that per the CDC guidelines and State requirements, if you are not vaccinated, masks are still required.

Fair Street Nursery School

Students are now permitted to be outdoors during play time without masks. Masks are still required for teachers and students indoors.

Fairly New Thrift Shop

The window AC units are being installed this week, and (4) air purifiers are being set up help circulate the air up to five times per hour. Two will be on the first floor and two on the second floor. Masks will still be required.
The indoor mask requirement for all customers remains in place until further notice.
Because of the small, condensed space of the Thrift Shop vaccinated volunteers:
- When no customers are present may lower their masks. Once a customer enters the shop, masks go up.
- When working in the office/sorting area with no interaction with the public, masks can be lowered.
- Again, when customers come in, or a volunteer receives donations and/or interacts with the public, masks go up.
Non-vaccinated persons are expected and required to always wear a mask.
Please note that these rollbacks are subject to change at any given time provided the number of cases and positivity rate rises.

Worship

Beginning June 20, once you are seated, vaccinated persons, as you feel comfortable can lower your mask. Please wear your masks to/from your seats.
Following the CDC guidelines, the recommendation is that children 2yo+ who are not vaccinated are required to wear their masks indoors.
We will continue the sign in upon entering worship.
We will continue remaining physically distant and spread out throughout the sanctuary.
Once outdoors after worship, as you feel comfortable and if you are vaccinated, you can go mask free
Please note that these rollbacks are subject to change at any given time provided the number of cases and positivity rate rises.
Non-vaccinated persons are expected and required to always wear a mask.

Persons in the Church/Education Building during the week

Because the building provides larger, better ventilated space we feel that if you are vaccinated, and in the building with ten or less vaccinated persons, masks can be lowered. (This is different than ministry team meetings, but more for VBS planning and preparation, buildings, and grounds work, etc.)
When the Fair Street Nursery School is in session, please wear a mask when passing by the doors/hallway.
Please continue to use hand sanitizer
Please note that these rollbacks are subject to change at any given time provided the number of cases and positivity rate rises.
Non-vaccinated persons are expected and required to always wear a mask.

Vacation Bible School

As we prepare for VBS, we will continue to watch the numbers in the region as the safety of the children who are not able to be vaccinated at all, are our priority.
It is our hope that by shortening the time to two hours and with being outdoors, we will be able to be mask free for children and all vaccinated adults.
We will not be offering a snack station, but we will be sending a snack home with the children each day.
Singing for opening and closing of each day has not yet been decided.
Please note that these rollbacks are subject to change at any given time provided the number of cases and positivity rate rises.
Non-vaccinated persons are expected and required to always wear a mask.

Two final thoughts:

All ministry teams meetings will remain on Zoom for the duration of the summer. The Safe Church Team will revisit this in the fall.
It is our hope that by the fall that we will be able to resume singing and coffee hour, provided the numbers of cases and positivity rates allow.

Peace,

Todd Levinson, Chair, Peter Boyle, Cathy Maletta, Peggy Ploss, Bev Rigney and Pastor Kendra

Earlier updates from May 2021…

Worship

As of right now, nothing is changing regarding worship. Masks are still required as is physical distancing. Because not everyone is vaccinated, and out of concern and precaution for the children who are also not vaccinated, we are keeping this mandate in place for now.
It is our hope that by the end of June that we might be able to make some updates for folks worshiping in person (provided the numbers in the region continue to remain low).
We are continuing to monitor and wait to hear updates from the state and CDC guidelines for places of worship.
We encourage everyone to remember to use common sense and remember the intent and the idea behind these protocols are ways in which we, as the church, can show we love our neighbor. We will revisit every two weeks.

Fairly New Thrift Shop

Due to the condensed space of the Thrift Shop, and due to the low ventilation, and out of precaution for the safety and well-being of everyone, the mask protocol remain in place.
Air purifiers are being purchased to compliment the AC units throughout the Thrift Shop. Masks still being required.
Masks outside the Thrift Shop while receiving donations and interacting with the public are required.
We encourage everyone to remember to use common sense and remember the intent and the idea behind these protocols are ways in which we, as the church, can show we love our neighbor. We will revisit every two weeks.

Every other protocol remains in place, and we will revisit every two weeks.

All Ministry Team meetings and Bible Study will continue on Zoom until further notice.
The Classic Car Show is postponed until 2022
In person VBS will be July 19-23. Click here for more information
The Fairly New Thrift Shop is open Wednesday’s and Saturday’s for shopping, Friday’s for receiving donations.
The Fair Street Nursery School is celebrating the Nursery School’s graduating class of 2022 in a couple of weeks!

Earlier updates from 2020…

While we continue to navigate our way through this season of the Coronavirus Pandemic, we have created this special page here for updates and to make it easier for you to find everything you might need to know about Fair Street and Covid-19. Here’s a quick overview of points worth noting:

Worship on Sunday mornings will remain on Zoom until the Elders feel it is safe.
All Ministry Team meetings and Bible Study will continue on Zoom until further notice.
The Building remains closed.
Thank you for your generosity, we are grateful for each of you!
The Classic Car Show is postponed until 2021
VBS as we know it in person, will not take place this year. However, we are working to explore providing online/virtual VBS experience.
We see The Fairly New Thrift Shop in Phase 4 of any re-opening.
The Fair Street Nursery School is celebrating the Nursery School’s graduating class of 2020 next week in a creative way!
We say thank you!
We are praying for you!
We miss you!