"See you in September!"
September 17-19, 2021
With sage advice from the Synod Medical Advisory Team and after prayer and lengthy discussion, the Synod Council voted at its June meeting to have the 2021 Synod Assembly in person! “This Assembly will have a different look to take into account public health and safety,” said Bishop Pedro Suarez. “But if each of us does our part, and we comply with the guidelines we set for ourselves, I know we will have a meaningful and joyful time in person!”
The Assembly will largely follow the then-current and applicable CDC guidelines regarding mask wearing, distancing, and hand washing. This may mean that all participants will be required to wear a mask. “We know, though, that we follow these rules not just to protect ourselves, but as a sign of love of neighbor,” said Cheryl Stuart, Synod Vice President. “We also know that getting vaccinated offers us the greatest opportunity to gather safely in person. If you are medically able to get vaccinated, the Synod Council urges you to do that well in advance of the Assembly.” An update of guidelines for the Assembly will be published and sent out just before the actual event.
As it tried to balance a myriad of factors, the Council did make certain decisions on some aspects of this “covid Assembly."
- To allow for social distancing, all floor space in the ballroom will be used to seat official congregational voting members and Assembly staff. No visitors or spouses will be seated in the ballroom. Seating will be assigned first at the conference level and then the congregation level.
- A secondary “watch room” is planned for guests and spouses. There will be no display/exhibit space this year.
- We will not host large communal meals. The traditional Retired Clergy Luncheon will not occur this year, nor will there be the traditional “Bishop’s Reception." As of now, the hotel (the Embassy Suites—Kissimmee) will be offering its hot breakfast buffet each morning (and may require masks in line).
- It is expected that Youth Voting Members will have some activities together.
- Due to the uncertainty with vaccines and space limitations, childcare will not be provided.
- We are developing a service project involving school supplies and backpacks. Stay tuned for more information on that.
It is the Council’s hope that the 2022 Assembly (scheduled for June 2022) will allow events to return to a pre-covid normal.
We know there are many more questions you likely have. We have a lot of details yet to tackle with worship, the hotel, the agenda and other arrangements. Please be patient with the Office of the Bishop and the Council as we navigate these complexities. Your prayers for the synod are welcomed. We will provide more information as we get closer to the big day!
In the meantime, get your vaccine and help others to get their vaccines, as those vaccine rates and covid case rates can directly impact what we have to do—or what we cannot do—in order to have a safe gathering. We hope to open registration in the next two weeks, and will continue to provide more information.
We will see you in September---in person!!
