Interim Grace Notes for January 7, 2022

Omicron Testing

The recent surge in Covid-19 cases is primarily due to the omicron variant, which is many times more transmissive than delta and other previous variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. With so many more people getting exposed and infected, Covid-19 tests are hard to come by and even harder yet to understand what to do in light of a positive test. I read two informative articles recently that help to shed some light on the issue:

• How Omicron Affects Testing for the Coronavirus - you can read this article in the Washington Post HERE.
• Understanding the Different Types of COVID-19 Tests: Do you know the difference between a molecular test and antigen test for COVID-19? -- An article from the Cleveland Clinic website which you can read HERE.
• Osterholm Update: COVID-19 -- Episode 85: Smart Testing in the Omicron Surge -- In this January 6 episode of this podcast, Dr. Osterholm analyzes the data on the severity of the Omicron variant, the rise in hospitalizations, the effectiveness of rapid antigen tests, and the new testing strategies being implemented across the US. Dr. Olsterholm always provides not only the latest information on the pandemic, but is also a source of inspiration and hope. You can listen this this episide HERE.

Call Committee Organizational Meeting Scheduled

Call Committee members will meet this Sunday morning at 9:15 am in the Lounge. There will be a short meeting comprised of two agenda items: choose a chairperson for the committee, and coordinate calendars for the next meeting, which will be an orientation meeting with Call Process Facilitator (CPF) Mary Satterfield. A CPF is appointed by synod office for each of the six conferences. These persons meeet regularly, (mostly weekly) to interview (mostly by Zoom) candidates who are seeking a new call, whether from within the synod or from another synod. Using both the Ministry Site Profiles and the annnnnd Rostered Leader Profiles, the CPF's decide which candidates provide the best fit for congregations in the call process. Call Committees then receive candidate profiles, and decide whether or not to interview. The remaining steps include:

• Recommendation to the Congregational Council
• Compensation Package Negotiation
• A Meet and Greet with the Parish
• Special Congregational Meeting vote
• Farewell to Interim/Transitional Pastor(s)

LIFT News

• A Festival of Epiphany Parking Lot Service was held on Thursday, January 6 at St. John's. The low-power FM transmitter was used to broadcast the service to those gathered in the Clover Street parking lot. Pastor Matt presided, Pastor Paul was the pracher, and I was the lector, and led the Creed, prayers and peace (flashing lights and honking horns!) There were about persons present for this service.
• Executive Meeting Sunday - The Executive Committee meets at 12:30 at St. John's. You can read minutes of the November Board meeting HERE.
• Final Trinity Service -- January 12 will be the final worship service of Trinity Lutheran Congregation, which last year made the decision to dissolve. A special service of closing will be held on June 26.
• LIFT Notes -- you can read the latest issue of LIFT Notes HERE.

Just Three Things ICYMI

You can read the Friday, January 7 edition of Just Three Things HERE.