As you can imagine, there are many new guidelines for all of us to be aware of—we encourage you to read through the entire safety plan. Here are some of the main points:
We are open but at a limited capacity. To make sure we can safely accommodate everyone, we ask that you register online for worship each week. The registration link will open every Monday for that coming Sunday, or you can call the church office. (Registration for August 9 will open on August 3.) You will be checked in as you arrive for the service.
We care about your health and safety. If you are in a high-risk group, feeling sick, have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or have been in contact with anyone who has had COVID-19 in the past 14 days, we encourage you to worship with us online.
All staff and volunteers will be screened as they enter the building. We want to keep the building as safe as possible for everyone attending a service.
At this time, we will only offer Sunday worship. We welcome all children and teens to attend the service with their families. A room for new mothers will be available when a quiet place is needed. Nursery care will not be provided.
We will all wear a mask while in the building. If you forget yours, one will be provided for you at the Welcome Center. Children three and under will not be required to wear a mask. If you don’t feel comfortable wearing a mask, we ask that you worship with us online!
Hand sanitizing stations will be posted throughout the building for your use. We encourage you to use them often.
We will practice social distancing at all times. Instead of hugs, handshakes, and high fives, we encourage air hugs and waves!
How we enter and exit the lobby and Sanctuary will be different. “In” and “Out” sides will be clearly marked in the lobby and Sanctuary. Signs will be posted throughout the building for your assistance. Pews will be roped off to allow for social distancing. An usher will seat you, filling in front to back and release you after the service, back to front.
We will offer a touchless service to minimize the spread of the virus through commonly touched surfaces. Doors will be propped open, we have removed hymnals and Bibles from the pews, and offering plates won’t be passed through the pews. We encourage you to continue giving online. The offering will be received in boxes near the Sanctuary doors on Sunday mornings or you can use the dropbox just outside the cafe entrance of the building.
At this time, corporate singing is considered a high-risk activity by health officials. Our worship team will continue to sing and provide worship music and will invite the congregation to reflect and meditate on the words.
After the service is dismissed, remember to continue to social distance. If you’d like to talk with someone, we ask that you do that in the parking lot.
All of these guidelines will be re-evaluated on a regular basis and updated as needed. It is our hope that these guidelines are “for now,” not forever. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the church office.
As we anticipate our first in-person service, we’re inviting our staff, Official Board, Sunday morning volunteers, and their families to a “practice” service in the building on August 2. We want to make sure everything runs smoothly and that we’re ready to welcome you back! Please pray for the staff and volunteers as we prepare for meeting in-person again. Along with the excitement, there is also a great responsibility to ensure your safety. We know that God is faithful, and He’ll be with us every step of the way.
