Last updated: 2 June 2020
Please follow up with this website on updates regarding OIEF’s activities amidst the Covid-19 situation.
As of 1 June, churches are moving from remote to face-to-face gatherings, for the time being. Exceptional circumstances continue to be in place. Safety measures must be taken accordingly.
We wish everyone to stay safe and sound, and follow the safety measures below when you plan to come and when you attend a face-to-face gathering hosted by OIEF.
Safety measures:
- At most 50 people can attend a gathering such as a worship service, devotion etc. given that sufficient distance can be kept between people.
- Keep at least 2 m distance between people, apart from your own family members
- People from risk groups should rather avoid attending, or take extra caution, if attending.
- Avoid physical contact such as shaking hands etc.
- Do not attend any gathering if you are ill, especially, with respiratory symptoms, see more below!
- If need be, cough into your elbow, sneeze into a paper tissue and dispose it safely
- Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly.
- Feel free to use your own breathing mask, if wished so.
- We won’t have coffee/tea fellowship at worship services/devotions.
- We won’t have Sunday School.
- We can have holy communion with a pastor.
- We can listen to music – singing together is not yet recommended, or only with caution and based on the worship leader’s assessment at the location.
Recommendations:
- Pray for each other and the situation – locally and internationally. Ask God to provide wisdom and guidance.
- Care for each other virtually as well. Alleviate loneliness and stress that we and fellow people may experience.
- Follow the guidelines given by the governmental and health care authorities in Oulu and Finland.
- Inform yourself about the coronavirus and preventive measures, e.g. according to the THL website and YLE news.
- Protect yourself and other people from infectious diseases of any kind. For suitable safety measures, consult the guidelines provided by THL.
- Monitor your health condition, especially, regarding any kind of symptoms of flu (fever, cough, sore throat etc.). If you have any flu symptoms, stay at home and wait until you get better. Ask others to help with everyday matters such as groceries. If your condition gets worse, contact your local public healthcare provider in Oulu for medical advice according to the guidelines of THL.
The aforementioned safety measures are based on OIEF’s leadership team assessment, in the light of health care, governmental and church authorities. We intend to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and possible infections for all groups of people, and want to cater for the spiritual and other needs of people in Oulu.
We also want to encourage each other and people around us, because God is in charge of this situation as well, and Christ wants to give us his peace, which transcends all human understanding (Philippians 4:7).
For more information, feel free to call Bastian Fähnrich (+358 40 6755 195) and/or rev. Ari Savuoja (+358 40 524 5919) (BF)
