Ingathering at Twin Springs

We will have an in-person outdoor physically distanced, masked, and very careful ingathering service, assembling for the first time in 25 weeks! (Please note we will otherwise continue to have virtual services in Zoom.) As ever, the ingathering service will include a water communion. Whether you travel this summer in spirit or in body, bring a sample of water from a place that is special to you: a beach, a spring, a kitchen sink. We’ll combine our waters and tell our stories. Logistical details will be shared as we get closer to the date.

Carl Peterson, service leader.

Additional information about gathering in person: We will be using a megaphone to overcome mask muffling, and the megaphone will be wiped down thoroughly with antibacterial wipes between uses. People who feel uncomfortable using the megaphone can offer written notes for the service leader to share during the water communion service. This service will take the place of the potluck we normally have Labor Day weekend, so please feel free to bring your own lunch if you’d like to linger afterward to have an outdoor shared meal. Beverages will not be provided either, so please bring your own, if you wish to do so.

All the usual COVID-19 precautions will be observed:

  • Anyone feeling sick should stay home.

  • Hand sanitizer will be available.

  • People who are not members of the same household should remain at least 6 feet apart (both during and after the service).

  • Everyone should wear masks. (Exceptions: babies or children younger than 2 years old; people w/respiratory difficulties.)

  • A no-touch trash can will be available.

According to the CDC, apart from virtual-only gatherings, a small outdoor gathering in which individuals from different households remain spaced at least 6 feet apart, wear cloth face coverings, do not share objects, and come from the same local area is as low risk as it gets. If, however, you feel uncomfortable attending, please do not feel pressure to come. This event will not be streamed via Zoom, but we will resume Zoom services in subsequent weeks. There will not be a rain plan.

Share-the-Plate – Our plate recipient for September-October is Northeast Iowa Community Action. To donate to the plate recipient, you can Give Online. Or, if sending a check, please note “Share the Plate” in the memo line. Donations may be mailed to Decorah UU, PO Box 382, Decorah, IA 52101.