Messiah's Inclement Weather Policy: To view our policies on inclement weather, click here.
Messiah's Inclement Weather and Emergency Closing Guidelines
Your safety is our primary concern. Regardless of the weather conditions we encourage each person and family to use their best judgement when deciding to drive. We want everyone to be safe and use caution.
Purpose and Guidelines
The intent of this policy is to ensure the safety of Messiah Lutheran’s faith family, guests, volunteers and staff and to provide for effective communications regarding ministries and activities during severe or hazardous weather or other emergency situations such as power outages. Please use your best judgement when deciding whether to attend services. Unless otherwise noted, on-line services are available.
The Pastor in consultation with the church council President and the church staff will determine when the church cancels service or events at the church due to weather. Please note if Ralston Public Schools are closed due to weather conditions all day and evening, activities at Messiah will also be cancelled. We will communicate this information as quickly as possible to the congregation or affected individuals or groups.
Information Sources
Once the decision is made, the following will be updated:
- Website
- Church office voice mail
- KETV Channel 7 News
- Check your email, phone and text for updates
Sunday Severe Weather Schedule
If the weather stations in our area declare a Severe Weather Warning, due to temperatures, windchill, precipitation, or some combination of these we will cancel the 8:30am service and all programming between services will be cancelled. We will still hold the 11am service and encourage each person or family to use their judgment regarding travel.
- Worship service will begin at 11:00 am if possible. The 8:30am service will be cancelled for that day.
- All Sunday school, Bible studies and any other activities scheduled between services or during the day or evening would also be cancelled.
- Nursery will be available (self-staffed).
- Ministry leaders will contact staff and participants.
Cancellation of all services – in some situations bad weather conditions may necessitate cancelling all services based upon street conditions, sidewalks, parking lots and plowing schedules. Under these situations a decision will be made by 7am – please consult the information sources mentioned earlier.
Weekday Severe Weather Schedule
- Evening ministries will be cancelled by 4:00 pm if necessary.
- Information will be posted on our website and social media.
- If the Ralston Public Schools cancel school due to weather on any given day, then all day and evening events at the church will also be cancelled for that day.