Frequently Asked Questions
Will UUCA require people to show proof of vaccination in order for them to participate in in-person activities?
No. There are people, who are ineligible to receive any of the vaccines at this time, because of their age or because of a medical condition. Excluding them for these reasons violates our value of inclusion, and would exclude an entire generation. Additionally, we practice inclusivity to the minority of us who have opted not to be vaccinated at this time.
100% of UUCA’s staff will be vaccinated by early July. We are requiring those who are volunteering with unvaccinated people — our faith formation, worship, and Sunday volunteers — to be vaccinated. This is to mitigate any risks on both sides, and to increase the level of trust in returning.
Can our group just be opened to those vaccinated?
No. For the same reasons shared in the answer above, we will not exclude people — such as our children — from participation, when there are practices we can use to make gathering reasonably safe.
Will UUCA require people to wear masks?
Yes and no.
Yes, EVERYONE attending the service will be required to mask in any indoor gathering in which there are unvaccinated people. This does include worship, and it may apply to your spiritual practice group, committee, team or small group etc. When you do not know if everyone is vaccinated, then the practice is to mask.
And no. When we are including live elements in our worship services, the minister or worship leader speaking will unmask so as to make their words more accessible to all, and to those with hearing impairments in particular.
And, no. Vaccinated people do not need to mask outdoors. Unvaccinated people do not need to mask when eating or drinking outdoors (please practice social distancing when this is the case.) Also, the vast majority of our adults (likely as high as 99%) are vaccinated. This means that many teams, committees, and small groups can ascertain if everyone is vaccinated AND comfortable with unmasking. If the entire group is vaccinated AND gives consent to unmasking, then enjoy seeing each others’ faces again.
The CDC says that vaccinated people don’t have to mask anywhere, why is UUCA saying I have to mask?
We respect CDC-guidance, AND also recognize that its recommendations are geared towards informing individual decision-making. We engage in a higher level of community care, that includes those with significant health conditions and who are unvaccinated. For instance, data now shows that the vaccine is less effective (around 85% efficacy) for older adults. Because, as our Sunday covenant says, “We live for one another,” we behave in ways that consider the needs of all, even if they are inconvenient for us individually.
Where can I learn more about the COVID-protocols for children and youth?
See our specific COVID-protocols for children and youth here. These protocols are aligned with everything in this document, while also considering our Safe Congregation policies (that add a safety level to any in a vulnerable population).
Will virtual access / online church continue?
Yes, we are committed to continuing online access and participation in our Sunday services, and the conversations held after. While online worship may evolve, we are committed to remain connected to our people who are not present in our sanctuary. Additionally, many have voiced that they prefer small groups, teams, and committees to meet virtually. Each group will make their own right decision, but we expect Zoom will often be the regular format with some in-person experiences built-in. We will also give thought to the best vehicle for delivering our various adult programming.
Will there be live music? Singing?
The reopening team is carefully considering this question. While we are ascertaining our ability to meet various safety control measures, we are going to refrain from congregational singing, but move towards live singing by our musicians.
Knowing that not everyone in our congregations (or who might visit) will get vaccinated against COVID-19, we must rely on other safety measures to control the level of respiratory droplets that could be shared in group singing. Experts consulted by our UUA advise that the simultaneous presence of any three out of these four factors creates an adequately safe environment for singing during the pandemic:
- (Uncertain): Excellent ventilation: you are singing indoors in a space with excellent ventilation (20 liters/min/person or >5 ACH.) We are assessing if we meet this threshold and if we can know how the air flows through or within our space.
- (Do not expect to meet): High-quality masks: High-filtering, low-leak masks (such as KN95) or well-fitting double masks worn by all participants. We cannot reasonably guarantee compliance.
- (Currently in compliance): Distance of at least six feet between participants who are not in the same household. Our space is currently configured for this, but this currently means only a maximum of 53 people can attend in-person.
- (Will remain in compliance): Duration of no more than 30 minutes. We do not engage in more than 30 minutes of singing during a normal worship service.
In summary, we may be able to meet three of these conditions to allow for congregational singing, but we are not there yet.
The guidance is different for a small, consistent, closed-performing group of fully vaccinated individuals — such as our choir, AWAKE Singers, or Worship Ensemble. Such a group would:
- (Can be in compliance): Need to keep at least three feet of separation
and have one of these two:
- (Currently in compliance): Good ventilation: Outdoors or indoors with good ventilation/filtration (10 liters/min/person or > 2 ACH.)
- (Can be in compliance): High quality masks: High-filtering, low-leak masks (such as KN95) or well-fitting double masks worn by all participants.
In summary, we can meet or exceed the necessary conditions for our fully-vaccinated musicians to perform music live during worship. (In fact, our musicians have already started rehearsing in-person.)
What happens if I show up without a reservation?
There is a high probability that you will not get a seat and that you will be unable to attend the service. To avoid this inconvenience, we highly recommend that you reserve in advance. Any available seats (unreserved or unclaimed) will be made available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Will I need to reserve a seat each week?
Yes, this is so that we can make seats available to more people, and account for the fact that many do not attend every week.