COVID-19 Updates

Here you will find the latest information on how St. John’s is responding to the COVID-19 situation.

Virtual Connections

While our gatherings are limited, additional virtual options are available. Get more information at the links below:

More on online worship available here and online study options are listed here.

Re-Engagement Plan

Download St. John’s re-engagement plan here. (Rev. August 4, 2020)

Worship Volunteer Signup

We are working to prepare for the time when we are able to worship together in the building again. One thing we really need to establish is a group of dependable volunteers to help before, during, and after services. While we don’t know when we will be able to gather together in the building again, we want to be prepared when that day comes. Training will be given prior to serving at worship. Details and sign up here.

Latest Update – January Update

The COVID19 Task Force met on Sunday, January 10, for their monthly meeting. They are recommending that St. John’s Lutheran should not move to “Step 3” of our COVID19 Preparedness Plan at this time. 

As of the January 7, 2021 MN Department of Health Weekly Reports, showing 42.76 cases per 10,000 and positivity rate of 5.3% in Dodge County, the particular issues surrounding our facility, the demographics of our membership, the hospitalization rates in our community and throughout the state, and the significant concern over community spread of COVID19 following the Christmas and New Year holidays, this task force feels that it would be irresponsible to invite people to gather in large groups indoors for worship and ministry at this time. 

The COVID19 Task Force will meet again on January 31, 2021, to reevaluate the data and trends, and to make further recommendations about our life of worship and ministry here at St. John’s Lutheran.

At their January 12, 2021 monthly meeting, the St. John’s Lutheran congregational council has approved this recommendation that we continue to meet for ministry and worship online to do our part in slowing the spread of COVID19 in our community. We are all hopeful that the data will continue to trend down following the holidays, and that we will see a change to our model for ministry and worship sometime soon.

Task Force Purpose

A task force has been convened to provide direction, advice and information to council to aid in their decision-making process. To be clear from the outset: it is the purpose of this task force to advise our congregational council, but it is not the decision-making body in our congregation. Our elected council leadership is solely responsible for this aspect of our life together in ministry. 

Task Force Personnel

This task force is composed of professionals from many areas and expertise, including medical professionals, public health professionals, educators and administrators, public service and police, engineers, finance, management, and others. Please review the list below for further information about this incredible group of leaders who have come together to provide direction for our congregational leadership to aid in the decision making process for our worship and ministry life at St. John’s.

St. John’s Lutheran Staff Representatives:

  • Pastor Dave Efflandt, Lead Pastor
  • Deacon Amanda Sabelko, Deacon of Faith Formation
  • Lindsay Colwell, Director of Youth and Family Ministry

St. John’s Lutheran Council Representatives and their Professional Vocation:

  • Sam Marsland, President. Nurse Anesthetist at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester
  • Rayelle Haase, Vice President. Certified Veterinary Technician

Congregational Representatives and their Professional Vocation:

  • Dave Aakre, Retired IBM Engineer
  • Michelle Coy, ICU Nurse and Educator at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester
  • Terry Czeck, Culinary; Certified Food Production Manager with the State of Minnesota.
  • Amy Evans, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Olmsted County
  • Jim Evenson, Police Lieutenant, Rochester Police Department
  • Heather Hilgart, Technical Specialist and Assistant Supervisor, Infectious Disease Serology, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester
  • Joshua Larsen, Kasson-Mantorville Middle School Principal
  • Ariana Wright, Kasson-Mantorville Elementary School Principal
  • Tracy Lee, Financial Analyst/Project Manager at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester
  • Jackie Longendyke, Commissioning Professional for Mechanical and Electrical Building Systems

Recommendations by Focus Area

More information about current recommendations from the individual focus areas of the Task Force is available here.

Questions, Comments, or Concerns

Please feel free to reach out to members of your St. John’s Lutheran leadership team:

Sam Marsland, Council President
Rayelle Haase, Council Vice President
Kelly Utesch, Council Secretary
Dave Bornfleth, Council Treasurer
Pastor Dave Efflandt, Lead Pastor
St. John’s Lutheran Church Office Email

Office Hours

Office hours are currently limited. The office is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 9:00 am – 12:00 noon. Please wear a mask when entering the building, and thank you for adhering to CDC and MDH social distancing guidelines.

Additional Resources

For more information on best practices during this time, please refer to the Center for Disease Control and World Health Organization websites.

Past Messages