Letter Regarding the Resumption of Services
May 19, 2020
Dear Members and Friends of Trinity,
We are all aware of the challenges we have been dealing with in recent weeks. The panic
and fear that is all around us. Many are dealing with loneliness, depression, isolation, illness,
loss of a job, and grief over losing a loved one. Hear the beautiful words of Jesus, “Peace I
leave with you; My peace I give to you...Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be
afraid” (John 14:27).
TRINITY WILL RESUME IN-PERSON WORSHIP SERVICES ON SUNDAY, June 7th. We will
have one non-communion worship service at 10:00 a.m. Holy Communion will be celebrated
beginning Sunday, June 14th. Adult Bible Class will resume June 14th at 8:45 a.m. This will
allow us to focus solely on safety preparations for worship the first Sunday back. Sunday
School will not be resuming at this time.
We need you to “pre-register” your attendance. If you are
planning to attend on June 7th, please call the Church Office
(723-5149) by 3:00 p.m. Friday, May 29th, and leave a voicemail
message with your name and the number of people in your
household who will be attending.
This will assist us in preparing the sanctuary for social distancing.
Please, if you are not feeling well and/or have a fever, stay home
and rest. Those who are included in the high-risk group for the virus
because of age or underlying health conditions may also want to
consider staying home for a while. We will continue to live-stream our
Divine Services on our website and Church Facebook page. We
encourage everyone to continue practicing enhanced personal hygiene,
including frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizer.
We will do this re-opening thoughtfully, safely, and with a careful
balance between the spiritual and physical needs of God’s people. We
celebrate the opportunity to be back together in God’s house! We will
also act responsibly. Yes, there will need to be changes.
Social Distancing and Masks?
Do we really have to practice social distancing and wear masks? Yes, we ask for your
cooperation in these matters. Our concern is not only for ourselves, but also for our neighbor,
as our Lord instructs us, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matt. 22:39).
We as a congregation, or as individuals, certainly do not want to spread the virus. We also
want to show love and concern for our neighbor as we help to protect them.
Safety Measures
For your safety and for the safety of your neighbor, please:
• Practice social distancing from the time you leave your car until you return to
your car after the service (worshipers not of the same household should remain
at least six feet apart).
• No hugs, kisses, handshakes (even in the parking lot!).
• If you are physically able, wear a face mask. (If you do not have one, the
church will provide one.)
For the further safety of all:
• Designated Greeters will meet worshipers in the parking lot to offer guidance.
• High-touch areas will be disinfected before and after worship.
• You are asked to enter and exit at the canopy entrance on the south side of the
building. Limiting traffic to one area helps to limit exposure.
• Please social distance as you wait to enter.
• Please sanitize your hands as you enter.
• Please place your offerings in the box as you enter the sanctuary.
• To facilitate social distancing, many pews will be unavailable for use.
• Hymns will be printed in the bulletin (we need not touch the hymnals).
• We will use only individual cups for a while when celebrating Holy Communion.
• Areas of the building will be temporarily closed. Please do not unlock or open
doors or use areas marked “Temporarily Closed.”
• There will be no Coffee Hour or snacks for a while.
• The canopy entrance will be disinfected before worshipers leave.
• At the conclusion of the service, please exit through the canopy doors to your
vehicle (observing social distancing).
We thank you in advance for your cooperation!
Private Communion
We plan to begin celebrating Holy Communion corporately on Sunday, June 14th. If you
wish to receive the Sacrament privately before that time, please call Pastor Rahn (233-3965)
or contact him by email (drahn@trinitymanistee.com.) to schedule an appointment.
The Peace of the Risen Christ
The peace of the risen Christ calms troubled hearts and makes
fearful hearts confident. Jesus’ peace transcends human
understanding and sustains us in all conditions. We need not be afraid
or overcome by troubled hearts. We receive Jesus’ peace through His
Means of Grace – the Word and Sacraments. No one or nothing can
separate us from God’s love – and peace – in Christ!
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Peace and joy to you in the risen Christ,
Rev. Dennis D. Rahn, Pastor
Charles Thames, Congregational Chairman
Ulrich Sitz, Board of Elders Chairman
Statements Regarding Trinity Lutheran School and Novel Coronavirus COVID-19
Statement from Principal Fisk Regarding Mandatory School Closure
Dear Trinity families,
Last night, the Governor announced that all schools in Michigan would be closed until April 6th, so in accordance with this mandate, Trinity Lutheran Manistee will also be closed. For those of us in Manistee County, those three weeks, fortunately, include our already scheduled Spring Break.
Although school will not go on as usual, we certainly do not want your child’s education to be halted during these next few weeks. To that end, students will be bringing home a packet of materials today that include some of their school assignments for the next two weeks. A list of all assignments will also be accessible on our school website beginning Tuesday, March 17th, along with links to several educational websites that your children have already used. My plan is that I will also post a daily “school talk” with a devotion, songs, and some lesson guidance. All school staff will be in the building from 9:00am-3:00pm Monday through Thursday. I will also plan to be in the building on Fridays. If at any time, you or your child have questions about an individual assignment or have any concerns, please contact Mrs. Iteen, Mrs. Showalter, or me. You are also welcome to stop in the building during the scheduled hours.
School laptops/chromebooks are available for student use during the mandated closure and Spring Break. They may be picked up at school and signed out Monday-Thursday between 9:00am-3:00pm.
During this break, additional cleaning will be done in our building to assure every precaution possible. Remember that our focus during this time is prevention and being safe--not panic!
We know from the data that children appear to be in the lowest risk group for COVID-19 and virtually every child who contracted the virus worldwide had a very mild case and recovered quickly. Regardless, we are taking COVID-19 very seriously and plan to do all we can to prevent its spread.
In the midst of fear and troubling news, the words of the Psalmist give us consolation: “Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam...The Lord of host is with us, the God of Jacob is our fortress.” I would ask that you and your family lift up our school and its members to God in your daily prayers, as I will for you, that He would grant us all peace, quietness of heart, and deliverance from this pestilence.
Peace in His service,
Tina Fisk, Principal
Trinity Lutheran School Manistee
Statement Regarding Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 and the 70th Annual Roast Pork Dinner
The 70th Annual Roast Pork Dinner and Silent Auction HAS BEEN POSTPONED.
As news and information continues to come in from health officials regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), we want to assure everyone that we are taking the steps we can to help prevent the spread of the virus as we follow the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and our state officials on their recommendations for this pandemic. As a mitigation strategy, the office of Michigan’s governor has recommended that all community gatherings of more than 100 people be avoided. In an effort to protect the health and well-being of the members of our community, the decision has been regrettably made to postpone the 70th Annual Roast Pork Dinner and Silent Auction.
As of right now, we have a tentative reschedule date in June 2020. We appreciate the understanding and patience of our donors and dinner guests. This has been a very difficult decision, but we feel it is in the best interest of all involved at this time.
Those that have tickets to the dinner already may use the tickets on our rescheduled date. If the rescheduled date does not work for you, please contact Gregory Staffeld at PTL@trinitymanistee.com or 231.723.8700 for a refund.
Essential Employees, Trinity Lutheran Church and School, Manistee, Michigan (2020)
- Pastor: Rev. Dennis D. Rahn
- Director of Parish Music: Mr. Mark Kirchenberg
- Service Elder: Uli Sitz, Pat Kissell, Ed Bender, Marty Johnson, Terry Lindeman (1 assigned per service while live-streaming only)
- Worship Live-streaming Technician: Gregory Staffeld
- Altar Guild: Mrs. Cherie Reilly (March), Mrs. Priscilla Staffeld (April), Mrs. Gaye Fett (alternate: April)
- Principal: Mrs. Tina A. Fisk
- Faculty: Mrs. Barb Iteen, Mrs. Donnajean Showalter
- Pre-School Director/Teacher: Miss Lynne Gatz
- Church/School Secretary: Mrs. Mary Pierson, Mrs. Tammy Rahn (sub)
- Church Treasurer: Mr. David P. Moehring
- Chairman of the Trustees: Richard Staffeld (building maintenance, etc.)
- Custodian: Mr. John Misico
- Offerings Counters: Mrs. Nancy Butler, Mrs. Gaye Fett, Mrs. Margo Plamondon, Mrs. Sherrie Sundin (2-3 per shift)
- Computer/Technology Engineer: Mr. Barry Lind