First Parish in Bedford COVID Guidelines
First Parish re-opened our building in the summer of 2021 and remains open for Sunday morning worship services that are hybrid (in person and on zoom), Sunday morning faith development classes in person, as well as for rentals and church events. Wearing masks is encouraged and optional in our spaces and programs – please see masking guidelines below for more details.
We know that no set of guidelines is perfect and our community contains many different needs and preferences. We are doing our best to balance protecting the most vulnerable among us with our need be realistic about what people want, need and are willing to do. We ask that everyone be respectful of people’s choices around masking and respect anyone who needs more distance to feel safe.
Masking:
Masking is now optional in all First Parish gatherings including worship. Masking is still encouraged and we will continue to provide masks for those who want them. Masking will be required in the Page Room and any who wish to be in a fully masked space for worship are encouraged to sit there. See “Page Room” section below for more details. For First Parish groups we strongly encourage groups to make it easy for someone to request that everyone be masked if that would allow them to feel safer. Consent and covenant should guide us as we make decisions.
Consent and Covenant:
UUs believe in covenanting together and in enthusiastic consent. We can apply these practices to our COVID protocols. Please do not assume what others are comfortable with, and ask about things like hugs, removing masks, and holding programs indoors. Please advocate for your needs and preferences. Please err on the side of caution so as to be more inclusive.
Vaccination Status:
UUs believe in covenanting together and in enthusiastic consent. We can apply these practices to our COVID protocols. Please do not assume what others are comfortable with, and ask about things like hugs, removing masks, and holding programs indoors. Please advocate for your needs and preferences. Please err on the side of caution so as to be more inclusive.
Other Mitigation Efforts:
We strongly encourage opening windows and/or using our HEPA air filters to increase air flow in rooms where people are gathering. If you would like to be sure an air filter is available, please contact the office staff to make that arrangement. We also encourage people to gather outdoors when that is comfortable and possible.
Close Contacts and Symptoms:
Anyone feeling sick should not attend in person events. Even if it isn’t COVID, nobody wants a cold!
If someone has had a close contact within the last 5 days, and is fully vaccinated and has no symptoms, they should perform a rapid test before coming to church and only come if negative and should also mask.
If someone was exposed and is not fully vaccinated or has any symptoms they should stay home.
A person with COVID should quarantine at home for 5 days before returning to church wearing a high quality mask until past day 10.