Covid Policy Update | firstuunash.org

Congregational Update on COVID Precautions 3-17-22 from the Board of Directors:

Your Board reviewed our COVID precautions at our meeting on 3/15/22. Currently, Davidson County incidence numbers are in the medium range. The CDC is advising that masks indoors can be optional in this setting. In view of this encouraging trend, we feel that as of now it is not required that members of the congregation wear masks when together outdoors on campus. We plan to also make masking indoors optional starting Sunday, April 17 (Easter Sunday). Be aware that if you come to that service you may be sitting near members who are not masked. As always, each individual should assess their personal risk level before deciding whether to participate in in-person activities. We will continue to have services live online for those not able to attend in person.

Be aware that it is acceptable for committees and groups to meet in person on campus at this time. Masking should be maintained indoors for now but will become optional as of 4/17/22, as noted above. We would encourage groups to offer virtual (zoom) access to meetings for those unwilling or unable to attend in person. Meeting rooms can be reserved through our website on the Leadership Resources page under the “Community” tab of the top menu, then clicking “Schedule a Room.”

As always, these guidelines are subject to change if the circumstances of this pandemic change over time. Thanks for the patience and resilience you have shown over this difficult time.

Update: Church COVID Vaccination Resolution adopted Jan. 23

Resolved that church members and visitors participating in in-person activities inside church facilities are required to be vaccinated fully for COVID 19 unless ineligible for vaccine or having a valid medical exclusion from vaccination.

UPDATE: 1-2-22

In-person services have been suspended until further notice due to rising COVID numbers.

Announcement from the FUUN Board of Directors November 28, 2021

Congregational Notice of Change to COVID Policy With the upcoming in-person church service scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 5, the Board of Directors has been reviewing our church COVID 19 policies and has decided to make a change. Previously, we “strongly encouraged” participants at indoor in-person activities to be vaccinated. Henceforth, we will require that all participants be vaccinated, who are eligible for vaccination and who don’t have a medical exclusion. This means that children above the age of five and adults will be required to be vaccinated to come to in-person activities. There was not complete agreement at the board level about this policy and it is possible some congregants will not be happy with the decision. It was made primarily to do everything possible to minimize the transmission of COVID, while still allowing people to gather together in person for worship. In truth, the board felt this was a decision best made by the entire congregation, but some policy had to be in place for the resumption of in-person services. This issue will be revisited at the January congregational meeting, where the will of the congregation can be expressed and followed. The other components of our COVID-19 policy include requiring masks while indoors and respectful social distancing. An exclusion has been put in place for speakers at the front of the sanctuary for clarity and in view of their distance from listeners. Children under the age of two will not be required to wear a mask. If congregants have unexplained symptoms suggestive of infection, they should not attend in-person services. With respect to the in-person services which will start on Dec. 5, the service will be at 10 AM and there will be a social hour afterward (without coffee or tea). Children are allowed to attend the service if they are vaccinated or under the age of five without vaccination. No childcare services will be provided. If young children attend and become restless during the service, they can be taken by an adult caregiver to the social hall until they are able to return to the service. These are extraordinary times, and we appreciate your patience and cooperation with the special measure required. -Mike Bolds, President of the Board of Directors on behalf of the FUUN Board of Directors President@thefuun.org

Announcement from Board – Covid Policy COVID POLICY adopted by the Board September 21, 2021 Summary We, the congregation of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville, covenant together to keep our members, friends, and visitors safe by: · Strongly urging that only vaccinated people enter our buildings, · Registering as we enter the buildings, in order to facilitate tracing as needed. · Wearing masks when inside our buildings, · Properly distancing at six feet from each other, · Immediately informing the staff if we become infected with Covid within one week of attending an event on church premises, so that others present may be contacted.

Click here for pdf copy of the Covid Policy

First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville COVID Policy adopted by the Board Sept. 21, 2021 Resolution regarding COVID-19 vaccinations and in-person gatherings at FUUN: WHEREAS our Unitarian Universalist tradition draws on many sources, one of which is: Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the findings of science; and WHEREAS FUUN is a covenanted community, bound in a covenant of mutual care and support; and WHEREAS COVID-19 has altered the patterns of congregational life in ways that could not have been predicted and will continue to do so for some time to come; and WHEREAS factual, scientific evidence strongly indicates that COVID-19 vaccinations are safe and effective at helping protect against severe disease and reducing the risk of transmission of the disease to others THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we strongly encourage all our members and friends who are eligible and medically able to be fully vaccinated. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it is strongly encouraged that everyone who attends FUUN events that are in-person will be fully vaccinated if eligible and medically able. It is also expected that any unvaccinated person will make measured choices about attending in-person events, will be duly aware of risk to themselves and others, and will be diligent about appropriate protective measures. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it is required that everyone who attends FUUN events in-person will comply with all masking, distancing, hygiene, health screening, and registration practices that have been put in place by the leadership of FUUN. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it is expected that members and friends will honestly and forthrightly disclose any incidents of personal infection while in attendance at in-person FUUN events. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it is expected that those who choose to attend FUUN events in-person will obtain consent before engaging in any physical contact with another person, i.e. hugs, handshakes, fist-bumps, high-fives, and will obtain consent from those around them before unmasking for any reason. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the leadership of FUUN will diligently inform any who may have been exposed to COVID-19 while in attendance at an in-person FUUN event. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all FUUN paid personnel shall be fully vaccinated and may be asked to provide evidence of their vaccination status. Those who are medically unable to be vaccinated will work with their supervisor to arrange for work accommodations as possible, including but not limited to remote work, weekly COVID testing, or working in an appropriately isolated onsite work space. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all volunteers who work directly with children and youth shall be fully vaccinated and may be asked to provide evidence of their vaccination status. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all those who lead worship or other events as speakers or singers shall be fully vaccinated and may be asked to provide evidence of their vaccination status. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all precautions for in-person activities will be at least as restrictive as current CDC guidelines and will also take into consideration the specific needs and vulnerabilities of the FUUN community. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the leadership of FUUN will be responsive to the changing circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic and will make changes to guidelines for in-person events as the current situation requires, guided by data on the COVID Act Now web-site and CDC guidelines. *leadership = Board, Lead Minister and Staff, and other Committees or Task Forces to whom decision-making authority has been delegated.