We are a United Methodist Church located in Minocqua, Wisconsin.
We are striving to Live Christ's Love N.O.W.through Nurture, Outreach, and Worship.
Pastor Mark Gilbert is currently on a three-month Pastoral Renewal Leave and will not be responding to telephone messages or emails during this time. Please direct your calls and emails to Merry Jorgensen, church administrator, at 715-356-3041 or send an email to office@umchurchofthepines.org.
For more information about the Pastoral Renewal Leave, click below to read the announcement letter and to read some questions and answers related to the Leave.
For more information about the Pastoral Renewal Leave, click below to read the announcement letter and to read some questions and answers related to the Leave.
In-person worship services and church activities are suspended
as of January 16, 2022, until further notice
January 12, 2022
Dear Friends and Members of UMCOP:
We are sure you are aware there has been a dramatic rise nationally in reported cases of COVID-19 due to the Omicron variant. The state of Wisconsin and Oneida County are no exceptions. Last Thursday, we received communication from the Wisconsin Council of Churches and the United Methodist Church Wisconsin Conference recommending that we consider temporarily moving back to only virtual worship services.
Our Infection Control Team (ICT) met on Friday. It recommended the United Methodist Church of the Pines return to only virtual worship services for the time being until we have a better idea of what is going to happen with this variant. Changes would take place on January 16, 2022. This would mean church-related activities such as women’s circles, committees, and after-school programs would also not be able to meet in the church during this time. We sincerely hope this change will be of short duration.
The Team recommended this for the following reasons:
On Saturday, members of our Ministry Council were asked to vote on whether we should go back to virtual services for the time being. They agreed that in the interest of the safety and the health of our congregation, we should go back to virtual services and no in-person meetings at the church. This will be implemented this Sunday, January 16, and continue until we see a trend toward lower case levels.
We assure you that none of us wanted this to take place, but above all else, we want you to be healthy and safe. We can also assure you that we will make this pause as short as possible based on case numbers. The ICT and Council will keep you updated moving forward.
In his name,
Jim Anderson, Ministry Council Chair Holly Nash, Infection Control Team Chair
Dear Friends and Members of UMCOP:
We are sure you are aware there has been a dramatic rise nationally in reported cases of COVID-19 due to the Omicron variant. The state of Wisconsin and Oneida County are no exceptions. Last Thursday, we received communication from the Wisconsin Council of Churches and the United Methodist Church Wisconsin Conference recommending that we consider temporarily moving back to only virtual worship services.
Our Infection Control Team (ICT) met on Friday. It recommended the United Methodist Church of the Pines return to only virtual worship services for the time being until we have a better idea of what is going to happen with this variant. Changes would take place on January 16, 2022. This would mean church-related activities such as women’s circles, committees, and after-school programs would also not be able to meet in the church during this time. We sincerely hope this change will be of short duration.
The Team recommended this for the following reasons:
- Currently, the risk for COVID infection in Wisconsin is “Extremely High,” and the risk in Oneida County is “Very High.”
- Local hospitals are at maximum capacity.
- The majority of those attending in-person worship at UMCOP are elderly and are more likely to have other underlying health factors which increase the likelihood of a severe COVID infection.
- The Omicron variant is highly transmissible, and even fully vaccinated people are at risk of infection and able to spread the infection.
- We fully understand the importance of in-person worship on the spiritual, social, and psychological lives of our congregation. However, we believe the risk of COVID infection has increased above the level we feel our current infection control precautions are sufficient.
- The Wisconsin Council Churches recommends we return to virtual-only services for the time being. We have used their recommendations as guidance throughout the pandemic.
On Saturday, members of our Ministry Council were asked to vote on whether we should go back to virtual services for the time being. They agreed that in the interest of the safety and the health of our congregation, we should go back to virtual services and no in-person meetings at the church. This will be implemented this Sunday, January 16, and continue until we see a trend toward lower case levels.
We assure you that none of us wanted this to take place, but above all else, we want you to be healthy and safe. We can also assure you that we will make this pause as short as possible based on case numbers. The ICT and Council will keep you updated moving forward.
In his name,
Jim Anderson, Ministry Council Chair Holly Nash, Infection Control Team Chair
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LOCATION
415 Chippewa Street (corner of Hwy 51 North and Chicago Ave East) PO Box 144 Minocqua, WI 54548 715-356-3041 OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Thursday - 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Friday - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Other times by appointment. Please call the church administrator or pastor at 715-356-3041 in advance to ensure that someone is available to assist you. Call 715-356-3041 Merry Jorgensen - Ext. 2 office@umchurchofthepines.org Pastor Mark Gilbert - Ext. 4 pastor@umchurchofthepinesorg |
Living Christ's Love Now
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