The UUCSH Board is committed to the following principles when considering the health and safety of the congregation:
(1) decisions are rooted in the values of inclusion and consent;
(2) follow the science;
(3) go slow and be flexible; and
(4) be realistic with expectations of ourselves and others.
Plan for Phased Lifting of Covid Restrictions at Sunnyhill
(Approved by Board, March 15, 2022)
Please note:
· This plan assumes that Covid numbers will continue to hold steady or decline. If there are significant changes, this plan will be reviewed and revised.
· We will continue with the expectation that everyone who attends events at Sunnyhill will be vaccinated against Covid-19 if they are eligible and able.
· We will continue to be “mask-friendly”—meaning, even when masking is optional, we will encourage anyone who wishes to mask to do so.
· We will continue to live stream all our services and are committed to maintaining and improving the quality of our streaming services going forward.
March 20 and 27
· Continue masking in sanctuary and RE
· Continue RSVP system with approximately half-capacity
· Mask-optional coffee hour in fellowship hall after service
April 3 and 10
· Mask-optional in sanctuary and RE
· Nursery care for children, ages 0-5 (caregivers masked)
· Continue RSVP system with approximately half-capacity
· Mask-optional coffee hour in fellowship hall after service
April 17 and after
· Mask-optional in sanctuary and RE
· Nursery care for children, ages 0-5 (caregivers masked)
· No RSVP system; full capacity
· Mask-optional coffee hour in fellowship hall after service
You can RSVP here for the upcoming services. If you cannot use the online RSVP system (or would prefer not to use it) but would still like to attend one of our services, please contact our Membership Manager Bethany Thornton at sunnyhillmembership@gmail.com or 412-418-2214. We will continue to live stream all of our services on Facebook and YouTube.
For all of our in-person services, we are requiring proper masking, distancing (as much as possible), and Covid-19 vaccinations for all who are eligible and able to be vaccinated. We will not require proof vaccination, but we will enforce proper masking.
Religious Education
We are beginning to slowly return to in person Religious Education on Sunday mornings! A “one room school house” model of RE will take place for children whose families have RSVP’d for the service as we steadily increase our numbers. Once we are able to expand our volunteer pool we can begin to offer additional RE classes. For now, children ages 5-11 are invited to gather together for a light RE lesson and activity during the service. Please email Jen (dre@sunnyhill.org) to volunteer to help teach RE to help add additional programming!
There will not be Nursery Care for the time being. Thank you so much for your understanding and patience as we navigate the safest possible way to gather and learn together again.
In-Person Services Now Back to Half-Capacity
(Updated February 16, 2022)
Because of the recent decline in Covid cases, we are expanding the number of spaces available on Sunday mornings to 110, while continuing to use our RSVP system, which includes a short form that each attendee needs to complete. The Sunnyhill Board of Trustees encourages everyone to attend in-person services if you can as a means of reconnecting with one another.
You can RSVP here. If you cannot use the online RSVP system (or would prefer not to use it) but would still like to attend one of our services, please contact our Membership Manager Bethany Thornton at sunnyhillmembership@gmail.com. We will continue to live stream all of our services on Facebook and YouTube. For all of our in-person services, we are requiring proper masking, distancing (as much as possible), and Covid-19 vaccinations for all who are eligible and able to be vaccinated. We will not require proof vaccination, but we will enforce proper masking.
Religious Education
We are beginning to slowly return to in person Religious Education on Sunday mornings! A “one room school house” model of RE will take place for children whose families have RSVP’d for the service as we steadily increase our numbers. Once we are able to expand our volunteer pool we can begin to offer additional RE classes. For now, children ages 5-11 are invited to gather together for a light RE lesson and activity during the service. Please email Jen (dre@sunnyhill.org) to volunteer to help teach RE to help add additional programming!
There will not be Nursery Care for the time being. Thank you so much for your understanding and patience as we navigate the safest possible way to gather and learn together again.
In-Person Services Continue at Limited Capacity
(Updated January 5, 2022)
Because of the current spike in Covid cases, for at least the next two weeks, we are limiting attendance at Sunday morning services to 50 people or fewer, and we are continuing to use our RSVP system, which includes a short form that each attendee needs to complete. You can RSVP via the link in the Beat.
If you cannot use the online RSVP system (or would prefer not to use it) but would still like to attend one of our services, please contact our Membership Manager Bethany Thornton (membership @ sunnyhill . org). We will continue to live stream all of our services on Facebook and YouTube.
For all of our in-person services, we are requiring proper masking, distancing (as much as possible), and Covid-19 vaccinations for all who are eligible and able to be vaccinated. We will not require proof vaccination, but we will enforce proper masking.
Children’s Activities for ages 5-11 will be available by request for those attending in person for at least the next two weeks. There will not be formal Religious Education Classes or Nursery Care for the time being. Thank you so much for your understanding and patience as we navigate the safest possible way to gather and learn together again.
Re-Opening Plan for Indoor, In-Person Services
(Updated December 2021)
The Sunnyhill Board of Trustees has updated its building reopening plan in light of the availability of vaccines to children ages 5-11 and the installation of air filtration devices in some of the older parts of our building.
We will be opening for in-person, indoor services gradually as follows:
On Wednesday, Dec. 8, we will publish an RSVP link in the Beat to use if you plan to attend the Dec. 12 service. These RSVPs will help us plan the set-up in the sanctuary, and attendance will be limited to approximately 70 people.
For services on Dec. 19, Dec. 22 (Longest Night Service), and Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve), similar RSVP links will be published in the Beat and by email prior to the services. For these services, we plan to be open at approximately 50 percent of our usual seating capacity. More details about services and other December events can be found below. Please note that the service on Dec. 26 will be a planned online-only service.
If you cannot use the online RSVP system (or would prefer not to use it) but would still like to attend one of these services, please contact our Membership Manager Bethany Thornton.
For all of our in-person services, we are requiring proper masking, distancing (as much as possible), and Covid-19 vaccinations for all who are and eligible and able to be vaccinated. We will not require proof vaccination, but we will enforce proper masking.
Children’s Activities for ages 5-11 will be available by request for those attending in person on December 12 and December 19. There will not be Religious Education Classes or Nursery Care for the month of December.
We plan to return to in person, in the building RE classes beginning Sunday, January 9.
As vaccines are now available for ages 5 and up we are so looking forward to welcoming our school aged children back to classrooms very soon! Thank you so much for your understanding and patience as we navigate the safest possible way to gather and learn together again.
We are excited about seeing our beautiful sanctuary once again being used as it was intended!