An Update on our Pandemic Strategy

I want to be honest with you. I desperately want this pandemic to be over. I dream of being back in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings and catching up with all of you between services. Though I am grateful for all the hard work that so many of you put into our online services, I would much rather put that same work into something we could do while gathering in that familiar physical space.

The way we get there, though, is not by wishing the virus away or ignoring the persistent threat it poses to each of us. We will get there by doing everything we can to put an end to this pandemic. Our council, under the guidance of both the ELCA and the Illinois Department of Public Health, created the guidelines we currently have because we want to get back to normal quickly and safely. The guidelines are not meant to restrict us. They exist so that we can move gently away from the pandemic that has held us back for too long.

As a reminder, all small groups are welcome to resume meeting at St. Mark. Some have already begun to do so, and it is such a joy to see folks gathering together again. To gather safely, though, we must all follow the guidelines which are designed to keep you and your neighbors safe. Those guidelines include signing a waiver and taking attendance, as well as wearing facemasks and keeping our distance. In addition, just like we have always done, groups that wish to gather on St. Mark property need to schedule through the church office, and your council has final say on whether a group can or cannot meet on church property.

As with any congregation in the ELCA, worship services at St. Mark only occur under the approval of your pastors and council. Right now, the two worship options we have approved are the online worship services and Wednesday Evening Worship in the sanctuary. New online services are available every Sunday at 8:00am on the St. Mark YouTube channel. I am happy to announce that we are aiming to also begin outdoor Sunday worship services by the end of August. Until then, we worship as we are able, knowing that an empty lot on Sunday morning does not mean we are not united.

At this time, we have not received any requests for additional worship opportunities. If you have any concerns or questions about the plan we have in place, I would urge you to contact our council through Kraig Reichwald, the president of the congregation. His email address is reichwaldk@yahoo.com.

Everything we are doing, both at St. Mark and in the other areas of our lives, is not simply for our own sake. When I wear a mask, I do so not just to protect myself, but to keep my potential germs from infecting someone far more vulnerable than me. We remain cautious in this pandemic precisely because we care about one another, and we wish to see an end to the threat. As followers of Christ, our actions should not be self-serving, but rather we reflect the humility of Christ. I want to leave you with some words from the Apostle Paul, which I have found helpful in this time: 

“If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:1-11)

 On Behalf of Your Church Council,

Pastor Chad McKenna

About Last Night

Last night, St. Mark had its first in-person worship service as we ease our way into a new sense of normal. When I sat down in my usual chair, I found my bulletin from the last time we worshipped on March 8th, full of announcements for events that never occurred. Except for a brief note encouraging folks to not shake hands, there was no indication of the tidal wave of change that would hit in the coming days. In a week’s time we went from discussing good hygiene practices to outright closing the building. What started as a three week hiatus has now extended well past four months. 

This pandemic has driven us all to restart most things from scratch. A lot of care and thought went into our worship last night. Many people put in so much work that most of us probably hadn’t had a chance to prepare ourselves for the experience. I wasn’t sure where my emotions would take me. It was surreal to stand up on that chancel, with familiar faces looking back at me, being able to preach to and pray with someone other than my own self. Would I get choked up or nervous? Would I laugh with joy? I would be lying if I said I didn’t get choked up a little as we worshipped in the same space for the first time since the middle of March.

There were less than twenty of us spread across that sanctuary. Before the service began, there were a few conversations at a distance, but mostly everyone kept to themselves. It felt different from what you will see in Sunday’s video. Without hymns and other more active moments, it became quite a contemplative service. I can’t speak for others, but in the middle of a busy week, such a moment of rest was just what I needed. You won’t be able to tell from watching, but we spent some time in silent prayer. Bob Rub turned the organ into an instrument of meditation, and we all had the opportunity to light a candle as we added our own, silent prayers together into one voice.

I am very proud of our staff, our council, and our Worship & Music Committee for putting together such a meaningful and safe service for the few of us who gathered. I know that because of safety concerns and schedules, Wednesday Night Worship won’t be accessible to everyone. As I have said before, our primary worship experience will still be the Sunday morning videos. However, I do hope that those of you who are able to join us will register to come and worship in this additional way at some point this summer.

Click here to register for Wednesday night Worship.

Peace,                                                                                   

Pastor Chad McKenna

Glad to Be with You

Grace to you and peace, people of St. Mark,

It is good to be walking with you following Jesus’ call to take up our cross in the way of discipleship and neighbor-love. As we now walk together in partnership living out the hope of our calling and sharing the good news of God’s love and grace in Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit let me introduce myself to you.

Though I was born in North Dakota and lived in a small rural town for seven years, I primarily grew up in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Even as a young kid, I quickly found a home and a welcome in my congregation that I did not have at school, where I loved learning and hated recess. I grew up in a small congregation with an eclectic mix of members and friends. There were some 40 to 60 at worship on Sundays. I loved my years assisting as an acolyte and washing the communion ware. Some of my best Saturday nights as a teen were spent trimming candles and changing paraments!

Though quite active in my congregation growing up serving on the altar guild and mowing the lawn with my dad, I never imagined going to seminary. I even began college with a declared major in accounting. Nevertheless, I knew from the sixth grade that I wanted to go to a college of the church for the connection of faith and learning. Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota (class of 2003), eventually emerged as the community that had the right fit for me.

I intentionally took an introductory liberal arts class from a religion professor in my second semester. One day maybe six weeks into the class I asked him about what the requirements were for a religion minor. He said, “You’re a religion major, start planning now.” His perception was greater than my awareness at the time. I was quite happy with my business classes but enjoyed what I was learning in my biblical studies and theology classes. In the spring of my second year, a theology and ethics course sealed the deal for me, and I added religion as a major.

I graduated from Wartburg Theological Seminary in 2007 but was around for another year while in the call process. During that time, I began studies towards a second masters degree in theology and worked in the admissions office coordinating campus visits and other projects.

After completing my internship at Immanuel Lutheran in Dixon, Illinois, I returned to the Northern Illinois Synod in July 2008 for my first call at Faith Lutheran in Wataga. I served there for over ten years. In the fall of 2018, I moved to Rockford to begin serving as the interim pastor for Emmanuel Lutheran where I was until January 2020.

I have heartily embraced the identity of “church nerd” over the years. In addition to being active in the life of the congregation where I grew up, I always sensed a connection to the Rocky Mountain Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as a denominational institution. I have been subscribed to ELCA news releases since I had my first email address in high school. Over the years I have been especially attentive to the development of the Social Statements and Social Messages of our church. I enjoy synod and churchwide assemblies. I have been a frequent visitor at churchwide assemblies and one-time voting member (2013), and I tell people my favorite nonliturgical season is synod assembly season. I am always inspired by the ministry we do as church together for the sake of the world. I currently serve on the Synod Council, as co-chair of the synod worship committee, and as a member of the Rostered Ministers Continuing Education team for the Northern Illinois Synod.

Perhaps it was being raised in a home with parents who are social workers that primed my interest in public policy advocacy. My dad was the county director for family services for all my growing up years in Cheyenne. I learned about the privilege I had being in a loving home, not having to worry about my next meal or when the public assistance funds would come each month. So, when I heard about the ministry of Bread for the Word in seminary and the impact of scale that public policy has compared to charitable efforts, I was hooked. Over the years I have continued to learn and grow in how to make the connections between faith and public life. For most of my years in ministry in Illinois, I have participated in the annual Lutheran Day in Springfield where the morning is spent learning about the needs of our social service partners and nonpartisan advocacy for a particular policy proposal. In and the afternoon there is opportunity for advocacy for a particular bill at the statehouse and a prayer service for all our elected leaders.

After my first year of seminary, my parents moved from their home in Cheyenne to Fargo, North Dakota, where they have lived since 2004. My two-years younger sister has recently moved to Northern Colorado. She is a navy veteran. With her Master of Music in Performance, she served as a trumpet musician in the navy band at Pearl Harbor for five years. Since completing her military service, she has earned her Master of Social Work degree and is passionate about ending homelessness and mental health awareness and advocacy.

Beyond my interests in theology, biblical studies, and areas of ecclesiastical ministry, I enjoy reading in the areas of economics, constitutional law, sociology, current affairs, and cultural studies. Over the years since seminary, I have become somewhat of a coffee connoisseur and discovered that I prefer dark roast coffees from particularly South East Asia. !00% Kona coffee is also an indulgent treat. I relish the quite beauty of botanical gardens and arboretums and especially enjoy the brilliant boldness of color in the blossoms of Asiatic Lilies and coleus plants.

I love to travel for conferences and to see family and friends. I am fascinated with the wonders of nature from forests to waterfalls. One of my dreams is to return to the Grand Canyon and experience it from the skywalk.

I am grateful to join in the mission and ministry of St. Mark and look forward to the gospel work we do together striving for justice and peace in all the earth.

Peace,

Pastor Robert Franek

Interim Associate Pastor

St. Mark COVID-19 Strategy & Guidelines Beginning July 2020

St. Mark COVID-19 

Strategy & Guidelines

Beginning July 2020

1.      Though the individual hours of our staff remain flexible, the church office hours will increase to every weekday from 9:00am to 1:00pm.

2.      Small groups are allowed to meet on-site beginning July 1st. Leaders and attendees must follow the Small Group Guidelines outlined in this document.

3.      Anyone who participates in activities, programs, or services must complete the waiver form, Participation During a Pandemic, available in the church office.

4.      At this time, Sunday worship remains exclusively online. However, beginning on July 22nd we will provide an in-person worship service on Wednesday nights at 6:30p.m. This service will be recorded and used for the following Sunday’s online worship video.

a.    For safety reasons, this service will be treated as a small group and must adhere to the Small Group Guidelines, which prohibit physical contact and require a face mask at all times.

b.    Singing and spoken corporate prayers will not occur. Participants may whisper prayers, or speak from their heart.

c.    At this time, there will be no communion on Wednesday evenings, or fellowship time afterward.

d.    Hymns and other musical elements that require voices or breath will be edited afterward for the Sunday worship video.

e.    Attendance on Wednesday nights will be limited to 50 people or fewer, and all who wish to attend must sign up in advance. Registration will be available by calling the office or by using the online form available on the website and the smartphone app. Repeat attendance will be limited based on the number of people who are waiting to attend the first time.

5.      Certain precautions have been put in place to ensure the safety of all who enter.

a.    Though everyone is encouraged to bring their own mask, the church will provide disposable facemasks to anyone who may need one.

b.    Hand sanitation stations will be placed throughout the building.

c.    A professional zoom account will be available for use in the conference room to any small group leader who requests access.

d.    Rooms that are not in use will be off-limits unless authorized by a member of staff.

e.    After a space has been used by a small group, it will be thoroughly disinfected.

f.     Attendance will be recorded at all gatherings.

6.      The council is aiming for an outdoor, in-person worship service on Rally Sunday, September 13th, provided that Rockford is in Restore Illinois Phase 4 or higher. This remains only a possibility for now.

7.      The current pastoral transition process will continue, following our congregation’s constitution and bylaws. If a congregational meeting is required, the council will devise a clear and accommodating plan so that no one is excluded due to the pandemic.

Guidelines for Small Groups

St. Mark Lutheran Church

Rockford, IL

As St. Mark resumes some Small Group activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, the council has certain requirements for anyone who meets on church property. For the safety of all our members, and in keeping with our calling as Christians to love our neighbors, groups that meet on-site must follow these guidelines. Groups that meet off-site are strongly encouraged to follow these to the best of their ability. The health and welfare of our members and visitors is our number one priority in resuming all activities at St. Mark Lutheran Church. As it is determined to be safe enough, we will continue to gradually resume more of our “normal” church activities.

Small Group Leaders:

•   Complete and submit the Participation During a Pandemic waiver.

•   Schedule and coordinate gatherings through the office to ensure that there are no overlapping meetings during this time. Stay only in designated areas, and adhere to capacity limits. Though the state allows groups of 50 or fewer, our capacity limits vary based on room size.

•   Provide a virtual meeting option for those unable to attend in person. The church’s Zoom account is available when using the conference room, and the office staff can assist you in setting up and coordinating a Zoom meeting. (other options include phone conference calls and other video calling services you are familiar with). Due to limitations, musical groups are exempt from this requirement and encouraged to come up with other creative means to include at-home participants.

•   Take the temperature of all attendees upon arrival, or assign a volunteer to do so. Kindly, but firmly, ask anyone with a fever greater than 100°F to return home. A thermometer will be provided by the church office.

•   Ensure that they and all attendees adhere to social distancing guidelines, as listed below.

•   Keep an attendance record of all attendees and submit it to the church office.

Attendees:

•   Complete and submit the Participation During a Pandemic waiver.

•   Wear a face mask at all times. If a medical condition keeps you from doing so, please stay home for your own safety and take advantage of the virtual meeting option provided by the small group leader.

•   Allow your temperature to be taken upon arrival. If you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, including a fever of 100°F or higher, you will be asked to return home.

•   Refrain from handshakes, hugs, and all physical contact.

•   Regularly wash or sanitize hands, especially after using the restroom or touching your face.

•   Limit restroom capacity to one person at a time, unless with a family member or another individual under your care.

•   Maintain a distance of 6 feet between yourself and others.

An Important Pastoral Letter

Grace and Peace to you, St. Mark people!

A lot has been going on at St. Mark since we last had a worship service in the sanctuary. The month of July is going to see some big changes for us. So that you know what is going on with your congregation, I would like to share with you some of the more major bits of news. Before I do that, though, I want to thank you all for your faithfulness during perhaps the most difficult time our congregation has ever faced.

Various ministries and groups have continued on in some capacity. Some have met via Zoom for Bible study, some have continued to create and care for the community by sewing masks or providing meals to local agencies. It has been a month since we bid farewell to Pastor Mark. A good number of long-term care facilities received bins of snacks and other delights thanks to your donations at his farewell parade. These months have not been ideal, but I am certain we have done the best we can, just as you always tend to do.

I am extremely proud of all the work that has gone into our online worship services. Musicians, lectors, families, and just about everyone on our staff have made ours one of the most outstanding virtual worship experiences available. The praise band remotely records a new song every week, Bob Rub works with various people to create original hymn recordings, and so many folks have been more than eager to be a part of this special experience. Just about everything you see and hear in our videos is unique to that week.

Alright, onto the news. First, I am happy to announce that the council has hired an interim associate pastor. Pastor Robert Franek comes to us from his most recent role as the interim pastor at Emmanuel Lutheran Church downtown. He served there about two years, after a long call at a congregation down in Wataga. Pr. Franek brings with him a love of worship, an astute understanding of theology, and a heart for our unique Lutheran brand of Christianity. For now, you will mostly get to know him through our Sunday services online. As we enter the fall and work our way back toward in-person gatherings, he will work mostly with our Bible study groups and the Confirmation program, in addition to leading worship along with me. I am so thankful for Pr. Franek’s willingness to be with us in this time of transition, and I so look forward to the work we will be able to do together.

About those in-person gatherings. The council and I have the responsibility to lead this congregation to the best of our ability, to make decisions for the good of everyone, and to live with faith according to the teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As we have imagined what it would look like to reopen, we have remembered that Jesus calls us to love our neighbors and care for the sick and vulnerable in our midst. We have also committed ourselves to following the guidelines set forth by the CDC, the State of Illinois, Winnebago County, and the ELCA. Our Bishop, Jeff Clements, strongly encourages all congregations to take these guidelines seriously without searching for creative ways around the very rules designed to keep us healthy.

Last week, the council approved a motion to allow small groups to once again meet on church property. This is not a decision we have made lightly. Beginning July 1st, any groups that want to meet will be required to follow strict social distancing guidelines, and all participants will be asked to sign a waiver. This may sound extreme, but the recent uptick in cases around the country and even here in Illinois are a clear indication that we need to continue in our diligence to protect one another from this virus. Still, it is a welcome thing to be able to come to the building, and the council and I are certain we are able to gather safely, so long as we stick to the guidelines that have been given to us. A copy of those guidelines is included in this letter.

Ever since we closed our doors in the middle of March, the biggest question on all our minds has been both obvious and elusive. When will we return to worship? It is rare for Sunday worship to be cancelled for any reason, and none of us expected the initial three week break to last over three months. Almost every expert in infectious diseases will tell you that communal Christian worship is one of the most effective ways to spread a virus like COVID-19. Reports continue to surface of churches who gathered without precaution, only to cause a surge in cases. With that being said, you should know that after much deliberation the church council has decided that virtual worship will remain the primary mode of worship for now.

Virtual worship will not be the only mode, however. Beginning on July 22nd, we will introduce weekly Wednesday night worship, with a capacity limit of 50 people. This service will be recorded and edited into the video for the following Sunday’s worship. There will be safeguards, though. My primary concern as worship leader is your health and wellbeing, and we will follow the same strict guidelines small groups will be using. That means we will need to refrain from singing. Spoken corporate prayer will have to remain at a whisper. Our fast from communion will continue. Everyone will be asked to wear a mask at all times and have their temperatures taken upon arrival. And sadly, there will be no coffee, doughnuts, or mingling afterward. It is precisely because of these necessary limitations that we will continue to view virtual worship as the most meaningful option available.

If after all those restrictions you are still interested in coming on a Wednesday night, please call the church or go to our website or app to request a spot. Because space is incredibly limited, the office staff will do their best to make sure everyone is able to come on at least one of their requested dates. After you make your request, you will be notified in advance to confirm which dates will be available to you.

With our strategy to reopen, some ministries are going to occur this summer, and some are not. First, it is with sadness that I announce our Vacation Bible School, which had been postponed, has been officially cancelled for 2020. There is no safe or manageable way to host this beloved ministry program in a meaningful way. The guidelines given to us from our governing bodies simply make it a nonstarter, especially given how many students we typically host in a normal year. On the other hand, because the numbers are much smaller, our youth group mission trip is able to occur with many modifications. This group of less than 10 had planned long ago to spend a week doing mission work in Toledo, Ohio. Instead, they will be doing projects in and around the city, adhering to our small group guidelines, and sleeping in their own beds each night. I am confident that their diligence will result in a safe and meaningful experience.

Look for more activities and events happening at St. Mark this summer. Rally Sunday may provide us with an opportunity to have a Sunday gathering for the first time in six months, though it remains only a possibility at this point. Please do read the Memos email every Thursday, or use our smartphone app, in order to stay as up to date as possible. If you need anything from me or the staff, please ask. Now more than ever it is vital that we stay connected. If you have limited or no internet access, we are happy to mail a copy of the Memos and find a way for you to watch a recent worship service. Pastor Chuck and I may not be able to enter hospitals these days, but we are still able to talk and pray over the phone if you have any need. Starting on July 6th, our office hours will increase to every weekday between 9:00am and 1:00pm. I cannot wait until this is all behind us and we can see one another again. Until then, let’s do our best to keep the virus at bay, so that our long wait can be over as soon as possible.

Peace,

Pastor Chad McKenna