Dear Friends in Christ,
At our meeting on December 14, the Church Council approved to reopen our sanctuary, starting on December 20th, for those members who wish to sit in our sanctuary while watching the Online Zoom Worship. Those members who choose to watch the zoom worship in our sanctuary will need to follow the in-person worship guidelines listed below.
Below are guidelines to help us worship together while maintaining safe social distancing and following CDC recommended sanitization guidelines.
Things to know prior to December 20:
- No nursery services will be available.
- All worshippers age 5 and older are required to wear face masks unless medical conditions prohibit. Face masks are required as a health courtesy when in the building to protect all in attendance, especially the potentially compromised attendees. We have face masks available if you need one.
- Bottles of sanitizers will be placed at each entrance and in each pew.
- We will limit attendance to 50 people.
- The church building, including all touch points will be sanitized prior to every worship service. This includes, but is not limited to, door handles, pews, bathrooms, Sunday School classrooms, hallways, stairwells, and Fellowship Hall.
- High risk individuals (people over 60 and those with underlying conditions) are encouraged to continue sheltering in place.
- The service will be a virtual service that is projected on the screen at the front of the sanctuary so that the congregation can worship from home or in the sanctuary.
Arrival at Church and Worship Seating:
- Please use safe social distancing when entering the building. If you see someone entering church, remain outside until they have entered the building. Doors will be propped open as they can.
- An usher will assist those entering the building to help maintain social distancing.
- Every other pew will be cordoned off to maintain social distancing of 6 feet.
- Only families and persons who live in the same household will be allowed to sit together. Friends and family who do not live in the same household are asked to sit separately.
During Worship:
- Those who are feeling sick, unwell, or show any symptoms of COVID-19 must not enter the building.
- There will be no passing the peace during worship.
- There will be no choir or singing.
- Collection plates will be located at each of the entry doors to the Sanctuary. Please place your offering in the plate prior to or after service.
- Worshippers will receive prefilled communion cups and wafers prior to worship on Communion Sundays and dispose of them properly as they depart after worship.
After Worship:
- There will be no Coffee & Conversation following worship. Worshippers will be dismissed one pew at a time starting at the rear by an usher. Those seated in the back of the sanctuary are asked to exit through the front or side entrance and those seated in the front of the sanctuary are asked to exit through the rooster door entrance.
Sunday School:
- Sunday School teachers, students, and parents age 5 and older are required to wear face masks, use hand sanitizer, and practice social distancing.
- Sunday School classrooms will be cleaned prior to each gathering, but teachers are encouraged to use wipes to clean tables and other surfaces before and after each gathering.
Small Group Gatherings:
- Small group meetings are required to wear face masks, practice social distancing, and use wipes to clean their meeting space before and after gathering.
*Volunteers and Donations Needed (contact Adam Staus or any Church Council Member):
- Volunteers are needed to serve as Ushers/Greeters.
- Volunteers are needed to help with running zoom service on the big screen projector.
- Donations of hand sanitizer (8 oz. w/ pumps) and wipes are still needed and can be dropped off on the table outside the rooster door entrance.
We are grateful for your cooperation. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Adam Staus or any church council member.
Faithfully,
The Church Council & Reopening Task Force