OUR COVID-19 RESPONSE
A PASTORAL WORD ABOUT OUR Covid-19 POLICY
What really counts during this pandemic and beyond is how we treat one another, particularly within the Church but also within our wider communities. Instead of focusing on our individual convictions, our goal with this policy is to help us draw more closely together in relationship with Christ and with each other. We want to practice encouraging one another and bringing hope to the people of the world as we share God’s important message of love and inclusion.
This policy has been developed prayerfully by your church leadership team to help us care for one
another, taking others into account in our practices. This includes the prevention of the spread of deadly disease and, in considering the vaccine or not, having love for one another and loving our neighbors as ourselves. Anger, stigmatization, or vilification should not reside within this Body of Christ, as we relate to each other with respect, love, and compassion – understanding and accepting that each person and each family is making the best decision they can to care for themselves and others. Together, may we move forward in faith, “bearing with one another in love” and “making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2, 3).
Link to Full Policy- LBUMC Covid Pandemic Practices Revised January 2023
Assumption of Risk and Waiver of Liability
Relating to Coronavirus/COVID-19
The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization. COVID-19 is extremely contagious and is believed to spread from person-to-person contact and/or by contact with contaminated surfaces and objects, and even possibly in the air. There is no known treatment, cure, or vaccine for COVID19. Evidence has shown that COVID-19 can cause serious and potentially life-threatening illness and even death. As a result, federal, state, and local governments and health agencies recommend social distancing and other preventive practices.
The Laguna Beach United Methodist Church has put in place preventive measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but cannot prevent you and/or your children from becoming exposed to, contracting, or spreading COVID-19 while utilizing the Laguna Beach United Methodist Church’s services or premises. It is not possible, even with heightened cleaning procedures and social distancing, to prevent against the presence of the disease. Therefore, if you choose to utilize the Laguna Beach United Methodist Church’s services and/or enter onto the Laguna Beach United Methodist Church’s premises you may be exposing yourself (and your children) to and/or increasing your risk of contracting or spreading COVID19.
ASSUMPTION OF RISK: I have read and understood the above warning concerning COVID-19. I voluntarily agree to accept any and all risk of being exposed to COVID-19 for myself and/or my children in order to utilize the Laguna Beach United Methodist Church’s services and enter the Laguna Beach United Methodist Church’s premises, and such exposure may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and death. These services are of such value to me and/or to my children, that I accept the risk of being exposed to, contracting, and/or spreading COVID-19 in order to utilize the Laguna Beach United Methodist Church’s services and premises in person.
WAIVER OF LAWSUIT/LIABILITY: I hereby forever release and waive my right to bring suit against The Laguna Beach United Methodist Church and The California-Pacific Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church and their successors, owners, officers, directors, trustees, agents, employees, volunteers or other representatives in connection with exposure, infection, and/or spread of COVID-19 related to utilizing The Laguna Beach United Methodist Church’s services and premises. I understand that this waiver means I give up my right to bring any claims including for personal injuries, disability, death, disease or property losses, or any other loss, including but not limited to claims of negligence and give up any claim I may have to seek damages, whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen.
GOVERNING LAW: I understand and agree that the law of the State of California will apply to this contract.
BY ATTENDING LBUMC, THIS MEANS I HAVE CAREFULLY READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND ALL PROVISIONS OF THIS RELEASE, AND ON MY BEHALF, AND ON BEHALF OF MY CHILD(REN), FREELY AND KNOWINGLY ASSUME THE RISK AND WAIVE MY/OUR RIGHTS CONCERNING LIABILITY AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.