As we prepare to regather as one group for our Sunday Morning worship service starting February 7, 2021, we need to share some adjustments that we have made to help this happen. We will be having one service each Sunday in the auditorium at 10:30am. This will allow for us to be all together for the first time in over 10 months. At this time, we are still not ready to offer Sunday School/Bible Classes, Nursery or Children’s Church. We welcome your entire family to attend the service together as our seating will be family-style, and all ages are welcome.
We are looking forward to being able to see one another and fellowship together before and after the service in a socially distanced manner. As a church, we are still committed to creating an environment that minimizes the risk of COVID19 transmission. To make that possible our auditorium/building has been redesigned to allow for physical distancing in a sanitary, touchless environment using the State/CDC guidelines.
We ask you to be patient with us as there will probably be more bumps along the way as we make the necessary adjustments to safely return to a combined onsite service. At this point we are joining two groups that approached the guidelines differently—the 9:30am service was more cautious (more closely adhering to the protocols for the at-risk population) while the 10:30am service was a bit more relaxed (i.e. masks off when seated). To protect the most vulnerable among us, we will need to follow our guidelines more strictly. Therefore these adjustments have been made to our previous protocol so that we can join together for one service.
- Moving forward we must ask that everyone wear their masks to protect the most vulnerable (with the exception of the persons speaking or singing on the stage).
- Sign-ups will be required. Attendance in the auditorium will be limited to 55* persons to allow for adequate distancing. As we regather for in-person worship services, we need you to let us know how many people are coming so that we can make sure we are following the appropriate guidelines. We ask that you sign up each week for the foreseeable future.
*If we reach the limit, we are preparing for overflow areas (i.e. the library, teen room, loft, and/or gym). Also if a person/family is not comfortable being in the auditorium but would like to be in one of these private areas, please let Pastor Mark know so that we can try to accommodate you.
If you are still not comfortable with attending in person, we will continue to livestream the service on Facebook, YouTube, and our website. Each person/family must determine their own response to the virus as everyone’s situation and comfort levels are different and we respect that. We encourage you to make the best choice for your family and situation.
Working Together/How You Can Help:
- Wear a mask*–Please bring your own (we will have a limited number available for those who don’t have one) *following the State/CDC requirement for persons over the age of 2 entering public places unless medically prohibited
- Cover your coughs &/or sneezes
- Please remember to wash hands often with soap and water (20 sec)
- If you are sick, have a temperature, or have symptoms of Covid-19—Please stay home.
- If you have been exposed to COVID-19—Please stay home.
Working Together/Precautions We Are Taking
Cleaning/Sanitizing
- The building will be thoroughly cleaned before each service
- 24-hour disinfectant used to clean bathrooms, countertops, door handles, etc.
Providing a Touchless Environment
- Greeter/Usher(s) at the doors wearing mask and gloves opening the doors and dispensing hand sanitizer to everyone as they enter
- Kitchens will be closed: Bring your own water bottle/drinks
- No Church Bulletins or Handouts
- No use of “Pew” Bibles or Hymnals
- No offering plates—an Offering Box will be available at each service
Physical Distancing (6 ft apart)
- No Greeting Time
- No Hugs or Handshakes
- Seating placed in groups of 2 or more with space around them
- Maintain six feet between yourself and others
- Children need to stay with their parents (No running around inside please)
Looking back at the past year, we cannot thank you enough for your support as we have navigated the changes that this pandemic has brought our way. It has been a journey and we have learned new skills throughout this process. More importantly we have found new ways to worship together while apart. As we regather, our desire is to err on the side of caution and hopefully, in the months to come, we will be able to lift some of these precautions. In the meantime, let’s continue to connect, grow and serve together to fulfill our mission as a church.