Update on Opening for the 2021 Season

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PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION BELOW FOR AN IMPORTANT UPDATE ON THE 2021 SEASON

The CSA Board of Trustees has spent considerable time researching and discussing how to open safely this summer under the current Michigan COVID guidelines. We currently believe that some of our traditional activities & lessons can be held and the Board of Trustees has authorized the hiring of staff for the 2021 season.

Based on Michigan’s current guidelines for inside and outside gathering capacity, and strict mask wearing and social distancing requirements, we developed guidelines and processes to provide committees and activity organizers with guidance for setting up activities and lessons. Focus is on five areas: sanitation, social distancing, masks, and ventilation, as well as, capacity constraints. We strongly prefer that activities be outside and committee meetings virtual. Our Committees and Staff are putting together their Summer 2021 activity and lesson plans for review and approval by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees.

The COVID situation in Northwestern Lower Michigan has gotten far worse over the past month. Our region is currently experiencing the highest number of cases, hospitalizations and positivity rates since the start of the pandemic. We are monitoring CDC, Michigan and Benzie County health directives and developments continuously and are prepared to alter our plans as necessary.

By early this summer, nearly every U.S. adult who wants to be vaccinated will have had the opportunity, but most children will not have received a shot. (For now, no children under 16 are eligible.) This combination will create complex decisions for many families. After careful consideration some CSA activity organizers have decided to cancel certain activities out of caution. We wanted to let you know as soon as possible. Please see the announcements below. We will keep you posted on the status of all activities and lessons with email updates in May and June.

We will be open this summer, but that does not mean this will be a “normal” summer. The CSA will take steps to follow the Michigan and Benzie guidelines. But as has been the case since the start of this pandemic, you and your family are ultimately responsible for your safety. We will let you know the plans for CSA activities so that you can decide what you feel comfortable attending. We strongly encourage parents to bring their younger children to activities and stay to help organizers maintain safety precautions such as social distancing.

We recognize that people will be coming from states with different, and sometimes looser, safety requirements. We ask for your support and cooperation with the safety measures in place at each activity & lesson based on Michigan and Benzie COVID guidelines. We feel it is most important to continue to prioritize the safety and health of our members, families and staff – your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Together we can take safety precautions to protect us all, while still having a very enjoyable summer.

Holly Freeburg
CSA Board of Trustees President

Message from Managing Director Ken Cox - Some of the inside activities will not be held this summer. We will be keeping an eye on the state of the virus in Michigan as we make plans. It will be a dynamic situation, with possible changes as the summer progresses. Let's all put a premium on safety as we enjoy being with each other! ~Ken

Update on the Adult Operetta

After several meetings of the production team of Beauty and the Beast, we are sorry to let you know that we are canceling this summer's performance. With the State of Michigan guidelines, a concern for the health and safety of all who would be involved, and realizing that we cannot predict the status of COVID during this summer, we have made this difficult decision. We are planning to perform Beauty and the Beast in August 2022, and hope that you will "be our guest."

~Judy Rodes, Marilyn Winter, Molly Harrison

Update on the Children's Operetta

After multiple meetings and thoughtful consideration, the directors of the Children's Operetta regret to say that we will be unable to present a Children's Operetta this summer. With the strict coronavirus safety guidelines mandated by the State of Michigan regarding indoor rehearsals and performances, the constantly changing nature of positive case rates, and the inability for our children to yet be vaccinated, there did not appear to be any safe way to hold an operetta in the fun, relaxed and organic manner that is the hallmark of these special productions. This was a very difficult decision to make, but the possibility of an outbreak amongst the children and adults participating was simply too great a risk to take. Please mark your calendars for next summer's operetta, "One Cray Cray Day at the CSA - Another Operetta Odyssey," which is scheduled for Saturday, July 23, 2022 and will be open to any rising first through ninth graders (who missed their final 8th grade year of participating in the operetta this year).

Although a children's operetta cannot be offered this summer, there will be other performance opportunities (if it is determined they can be offered safely at the time) including:

Vocal and Instrumental special music for operetta-aged children/teens with performing experience at outdoor worship services. Please contact Ken Cox at kcpizza@aol.com or Shannon Wise at wise1shannon@gmail.com for more information.
A collaborative "CSA'S GOT TALENT" event offered in partnership with the operetta directors and the Arts Committee targeted for Friday, July 16 (rain date July 17). All ages will be welcome to participate, and special assistance will be available from the operetta directors upon request. Stay tuned for more information to be communicated in early July.

Thank you for your understanding and patience as we continue to navigate this ever-changing pandemic landscape.

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Congregational Summer Assembly · 2128 Pilgrim Highway · Frankfort, MI 49635 · USA