when will groups gather?
Decisions will be based on current infection data for Polk County
- Small gatherings will be allowed long before large gatherings for worship
- We will prioritize hands-on mission work over fellowship or educational gatherings that can take place online
- All gatherings will need to follow precautions, including masks and physical distancing
- We won’t gather for worship soon, but when we do it will look different from what you may be used to
criteria for gatherings
The Covid-19 pandemic is still in full swing in Iowa, and there is no predictable timeline for when things will improve. In order to respond to ongoing developments, our gathering decisions are all “until further notice." The Session hopes it will be helpful to share the criteria we are using to determine when to allow or restrict group church activities.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have looked for broadly applicable, objective guidelines supported by nonpolitical public health experts. In ordinary times, we follow the West Des Moines Community Schools when it comes to canceling events due to weather. We knew that the schools may not be the right indicator for pandemic decisions, because we have unique vulnerabilities and trade-offs.
Phased criteria has organized based on separate recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and the Harvard Global Health Initiative. The CDC guidelines are included in their weekly reports to state governors and indicate a variety of public health measures. The HGHI report recommends criteria for phased opening of K-12 schools. Both sets of criteria respond to a rolling average of new cases per 100,000 population and percentage of tests that come back positive. The criteria agree closely on the caution levels, with the HGHI report including a top caution level where there should be no gatherings.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have looked for broadly applicable, objective guidelines supported by nonpolitical public health experts. In ordinary times, we follow the West Des Moines Community Schools when it comes to canceling events due to weather. We knew that the schools may not be the right indicator for pandemic decisions, because we have unique vulnerabilities and trade-offs.
Phased criteria has organized based on separate recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and the Harvard Global Health Initiative. The CDC guidelines are included in their weekly reports to state governors and indicate a variety of public health measures. The HGHI report recommends criteria for phased opening of K-12 schools. Both sets of criteria respond to a rolling average of new cases per 100,000 population and percentage of tests that come back positive. The criteria agree closely on the caution levels, with the HGHI report including a top caution level where there should be no gatherings.
Gathering guidelines
based on 14-day totals in Polk County
Caution Level |
14-day new cases (Polk County) |
Percent positive tests |
Gatherings Allowed |
Red |
>1,500 cases (6-day: >643) |
>10% positive |
No gatherings |
Orange |
600 to 1,500 cases (6-day: 257 to 643) |
<10% positive |
Groups of 10 or fewer |
Yellow |
60 to 600 cases (6-day: 26 to 257) |
5-10% positive |
Groups of 25 or fewer |
Green |
<60 cases (6-day: <26) |
<5% positive |
Larger gatherings may be permitted |
The criteria above are based on per capita case numbers and Polk County's population of 430,640 people. We monitor the state Covid dashboard for current numbers, using the 14-day rolling totals for Polk County.
Update: In late February 2021, the state began reporting Covid data in a way that no longer shows 14-day case totals. There is still a "7-day" total available by county. However, this total does not show the majority of the tests on the current day, so it is effectively a 6-day count. The chart above now indicates adjusted guidelines based on these 6-day Polk County case counts.
The graph below shows how Polk County's infection numbers have compared to these criteria from March to mid-September:
Update: In late February 2021, the state began reporting Covid data in a way that no longer shows 14-day case totals. There is still a "7-day" total available by county. However, this total does not show the majority of the tests on the current day, so it is effectively a 6-day count. The chart above now indicates adjusted guidelines based on these 6-day Polk County case counts.
The graph below shows how Polk County's infection numbers have compared to these criteria from March to mid-September:
In addition to the group size restrictions, we are asking all group participants to observe the following safety measures:
What does this mean for worship, specifically? To be sure, we will not worship in person any time soon. In-person worship gathers our largest groups to participate in some of the riskiest activities: singing, sharing Communion, passing the peace, etc. Even when it does become advisable to gather in larger groups, any return to worship will include significant modifications. We have agreed to prioritize mission and small-group fellowship, with worship as our lowest priority for in-person gatherings.
These detailed guidelines are meant give you a sense of what to expect as the pandemic continues. As always, feel free to reach out to Rev Nathan, the church office or any session member with any questions.
- Do not participate if you are sick or may have been exposed to the coronavirus within the last 14 days
- Wear a mask and/or face shield throughout your gathering
- Wash hands thoroughly
- Maintain 6 feet of physical distance from other participants
- No singing or shouting
- No food or drink
- Notify the church immediately if you learn that you may have been exposed during 14 days prior to this meeting.
- Meet only in the designated room
- Arrange chairs to maximize physical distance (6 foot minimum)
- Limit gatherings to no longer than 1 hour
- Provide the church with name and contact information for every participant in every gathering. For "anonymous" groups, this information may be kept in a sealed envelope to be opened if needed. Covenant will hold this information for one month from the date of the meeting.
What does this mean for worship, specifically? To be sure, we will not worship in person any time soon. In-person worship gathers our largest groups to participate in some of the riskiest activities: singing, sharing Communion, passing the peace, etc. Even when it does become advisable to gather in larger groups, any return to worship will include significant modifications. We have agreed to prioritize mission and small-group fellowship, with worship as our lowest priority for in-person gatherings.
These detailed guidelines are meant give you a sense of what to expect as the pandemic continues. As always, feel free to reach out to Rev Nathan, the church office or any session member with any questions.
