Welcome back is our normal greeting on Rally Sunday as worshipers return from summer sojourns across the country and around the world. But that is not the case in the midst of a global pandemic. Worship life, as well congregational activity, will just not be the same this fall. The staff is trying to organize our calendar around many of the traditional activities and festivals that have punctuated the program year, however, not everything will and can happen as it once did. Normal patterns will return again. We just need to remain patient and hopeful. If you need a reminder, see the corner stone for the church. It was laid in 1925, seven years after the last great pandemic in a decade that was described as roaring.

One of the initial steps for normal congregational life will be on Rally Sunday when limited in-person worship resumes. Throughout the month of August we have been preparing and practicing for this day. We have been adjusting the sound and camera so that we can go live on Rally Sunday on YouTube, as well. The Protocol for In-Person Worship at Lake of the Isles that we have followed this past month has allowed worshipers to feel comfortable and safe in the church Sanctuary. This will continue with registration in advance, masks and social distancing. We will keep the worship attendance capped at 40 people, in addition to the Corona Chorus. This represents about 20% of Sanctuary’s seating capacity.

And what would Rally Day at Lake of the Isles be without Dixieland music? Sadly, the late John Madson can no longer lead us in music together with the Starry Night Quartet, but the Zuhrah Shrine Dixie Kats will perform as a part of our Rally Sunday service. Yes, there will be a little bit of the familiar– even in these new times.

Whether in person or online– Welcome back to Lake of the Isles.

Peace, Pastor Arden Haug