The Leadership Council and/or the COVID-19 Task Group will be providing monthly updates on LUC’s COVID-19 response. Below is the THIRD monthly update. We thank you for your patience as we navigate this pandemic with the utmost caution and concern for our community’s safety, health, and well-being.

LUC Steps of Re-Opening

“One more step along the world I go, one more step along the world I go, from the old things to the new, keep me travelling along with you: And it’s from the old I travel to the new; keep me travelling along with you.”

At the beginning of the year, we had no idea what was in store for us as individuals or as a church. In March, our lives were turned around as COVID-19 became a growing health concern in BC. We closed the doors to our church building, choosing to prioritize the health and safety of our congregation and community. In closing our doors, we recognize that we have not closed the church — the church is the people, not the building — and we have remained strong as a congregation as we moved to online gatherings and phone trees.

In the months since, it has been amazing to witness how we as a congregation have not only survived these turbulent and uncertain times, but how we continue to thrive as well. Over the last several months, we’ve experienced “church” in many different ways than we ever have before and we will continue to learn and grow in how God is calling us to be a congregation in COVID times.

In the coming months, we will slowly re-open the building and begin to have in-person meetings, gatherings, and events once again. We have taken a “step-by-step” approach to our re-opening, believing this is the safest and best way to ensure that we can meet health and safety requirements.

Below, the various steps are outlined. We are currently in Step 1 and will be moving to Step 2 the week of October 5th. More information on Staff Hours and availability for in-person appointments will be sent out next week.

Although the future still remains unknown, we can be certain that the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit are with us, our community, and our world. Thanks be to God!

The Steps*

Step 1
There are no in-person gatherings of any kind. The church building is closed to the public, with limited access when necessary. All staff work from home and all meetings, gatherings, and worship services are held online.

Step 2
Staff may return to their offices with provision to still work at home or have staggered schedules. One-on-One meetings and pastoral care may resume by appointment, with safety practices and guidelines adhered to.

Step 3
Small-group church ministry (e.g. a book study) and small group church meetings (e.g. a committee meeting) may begin in the building, adhering to the capacity requirements for each space within the church as well as following safety practices and guidelines.

Step 4
Return of tenant and user groups in compliance with Public Health, WorkSafe BC, and UCC Guidelines.

Step 5
In-person worship resumes, in compliance with Public Health, WorkSafe BC, and by the recommendation of the Pacific Mountain Regional Council.

Step 6
Full return to the building, in compliance with Public Health Guidelines.

*Thank you to Crossroads United Church for the use of their COVID-19 documents, which we have used in implementing LUC’s own steps

COVID-19 Cleaning & Entry Protocols for Congregants

The following document is required reading for anyone wishing to access the church. A pdf document is available for download below and covers the following:

• Self Assessment
• Entry Protocols
• Cleaning Protocols
• Staff Office Hours
• Community Inquiries
• Monitoring Plans
• Assessment Risk

Download the required reading document for
LUC COVID-19 Re-Opening Protocols

Download a copy of the
LUC Steps for Re-Opening