BRUU is fully open to the public.  No mask is required fo in-person attendance.

— released April 25, 2023

The Board continues to evaluate and establish our service platforms and safety protocols, but you are welcome to make your own personal decisions regarding participating in person or virtually. The CDC Community Level Tool is used to evaluate our local COVID status.

Reports from the Board

Any changes to this policy will be determined based on the above CDC data with the  following masking recommendations:

Low & Moderate Risk (green) = Masks Optional. Food & drink allowed. Singing allowed.

Substantial Risk (yellow) = Masks Required. Food, drink, and singing limited or not permitted.

We will continue to revisit policies on a Biannual schedule or as needed.

— released August 28, 2022

The BRUU Board updated its vaccination policy at its August meeting.  BRUU will require that all children under 5 be vaccinated by November 1, 2022, (except Children under age of 6 months who still can not be vaccinated) in accordance with CDC guidelines to attend BRUU activities. The requirements for members and attendees aged 5 and older be vaccinated in accordance with CDC guidelines remains in place. If you have any questions, please contact directors@bruu.org.

— released April 23, 2022

The board decided effective April 24, 2022, masks are no longer required for entry into BRUU. Masks are encouraged, and wearing a mask should be respected as a personal choice.

Below is a frequently asked questions (FAQ) that provides answers to specific questions. If you have any questions about BRUU’s COVID policy or guidelines, please reach out to the Board (board@bruu.org) or a Reopening Task Force member (reopening@bruu.org).

COVID UPDATES

1. Masks optional 4/24 — will coffee be allowed in the sanctuary as Before Times?
Yes – coffee, water, and beverages with lids are allowed during service.

2. Masks optional 4/24 — everywhere in BRUU, regardless of location?
Yes — but — the Director of lifespan education and music director establish the mask rules for the classrooms and musical activities, respectively.

3. Masks optional 4/24 — Sanctuary post-service — still a mask wearing social space?
It’s masks optional, everywhere, starting April 24. Groups organizing events at BRUU can establish different ground rules, but we are just encouraging masks at Sunday Services and other all-BRUU events as of 4/24. This aligns with other local venues such as the Hylton center. Also, for our purposes, we are still requiring vaccine checks.

4. Vaccination proof required for entry — Yes — this has not changed. Proof of vaccination is required for entry to BRUU for anyone attending BRUU or BRUU-sponsored events in accordance with CDC vaccine guidelines.

5. Great – we can sing now — No — the music director is in regular consultation with her colleagues and singing remains on hold. The exception to this is performing group singing and ensembles which will wear masks. For now, the members will keep humming along.

6. In addition, anyone who feels ill, has been exposed to COVID, or has tested positive should not enter BRUU, and should adhere to CDC guidelines regarding isolation.

—  released March 25, 2022

On March 24, the BRUU Board received a report from its reopening task force. After discussion, the Board adopted the following changes in the rules applicable to Sunday services and coffee hours. As before, these rules are a policy decision, balancing numerous considerations, with the goal of keeping BRUU members safe while opening up to in-person events. BRUU will continue to provide online services for those who find that in-person services do not meet their assessment of the risks and benefits.
BRUU will therefore:

• Drop the mask mandate as of April 24, while encouraging continued mask wearing in the building to increase confidence;
• Invite in-person attendance by members of the broader community as of April 3;
• Retain vaccination card verification (except for outdoor services, such as April 17) until further notice;
• Coffee hour with food continues, recognizing that people in Fellowship Hall will drop masks but encouraging those gathering in Sanctuary to wear them;
• Singing: The congregation will not sing but performers will sing; up to two performers or podded groups may sing together but larger ensembles will wear masks when singing.

— released August 24, 2021…
The dance with COVID-19 and the Delta variant includes backward as well as forward steps. As such, the BRUU Board has determined the following:

Plans to open the building for in-person Sunday Sanctuary Services are back on HOLD

• Sunday Services will remain on Zoom and Live Streamed until Prince William County, Manassas Park and Manassas City along with all bordering counties sustains a new case ratio of < 10 : 100,000 people for a minimum of 4 weeks duration.
• The BRUU building will continue to be open for groups of less than 50 people when scheduled through the BRUU Office Assistant. Meetings should take place in the larger spaces that are well ventilated or equipped with air purifiers. The use of QR codes and wearing of masks until you reach your place in the building is still in place.
• Childrens RE hybrid programs are set to begin at the end of August – SEE DRE Updates & Protocols at Children’s RE Programs

The Board will continue to evaluate guidelines promoted by the CDC, the UUA and federal and state governments. The COVID Act Now website will continue to be used to evaluate the risk rating of our region. Once the Board determines and sets a date for multi-platform services and establishes our protocols, you are welcome to make your own personal decisions regarding participating in person or online.

Board Member Breakout Room: Each Sunday following the service, there will be a Break Out Room, with a Board member or two, for folks to discuss the issues important to them regarding the return to in-person sanctuary services and RE programming. We are certain we will be having fascinating & challenging conversations on personal responsibility, community trust, vaccinations, and how BRUU might welcome visitors.

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO WEAR YOUR MASKS IN THE BUILDING

As you know, there is a common denominator among the vaccinated and the unvaccinated. Each can carry COVID. So, here’s the scoop – entering and leaving the building, and while walking through the halls, please wear your mask. Once you reach your meeting or event destination, as a group, you may decide whether or not masks stay on.

— released July 24, 2021

We Continue to Work to Bring In-person Services Back

While we continue to work to bring services back to the sanctuary and welcome back the BRUU community, it won’t be the same as before…we will continue to follow guidelines and metrics to protect our youngest, our vulnerable and our unvaccinated congregants.

• Until further notice, we are holding church services virtually. Some other groups are meeting in-person. Sunday morning services are held on zoom (link in weekly email) and streamed live on our BRUU Facebook, Sundays at 10am.
• Children and Youth RE is in-person in the church building, see RE page for details.
• ALE – some courses are meeting in-person in the church building, register for details from the course leader
• Social Groups – refer to the group leader on status for next meeting
• Memorial services are in-person at the church building, see your invitation for details. Some may be additionally offered on zoom.

— released July 9,2021

End of Life Services: A Board Update

The Board met on 7/7/2021 and amended the current limitations for use of the BRUU building for end of life services as follows.

The following applies to end of life services.

1. There is no occupancy limit. This replaces the limit of 50 people maximum.
2. Masks will be required for entry to BRUU, and access to services held in the sanctuary and in the Fellowship Hall, should it be required for overflow attendance.
3. Audio visual support and hybrid service are only available for BRUU member memorial services.
4. The Fellowship Hall will be available should the family request it.