Gathering Together Again

Gathering Together Again

The governor released the new guidelines for houses of worship May 29 at 3:30 pm. We have been discussing how best to proceed wisely and well and maintain our witness in our community during such a difficult time. Having met with your leadership we are in complete agreement that meeting on the 14th will be the best move for our church.

We are planning to gathering together every Sunday at 10:30am.

We have room for our entire congregation even with social distancing. When Kids Worship Too begins this will open up more space as well.

Please consider this, if you are uncomfortable joining us in person, worshiping online will always be available. If you are ill, compromised, just not ready, or have another reason, worshiping at home online is an option that we will not remove and you will receive no judgement. 

Please be aware of the following... 

1. Those who are immune compromised will be asked to continue to worship at home. That would be elderly, cardiac issues, diabetes etc.
2. No close personal contact - handshaking, hugging or kissing is discouraged.
3. We ask that you use masks as you enter and exit the building when social distancing may not be possible. You may remove your masks when at your seats.
4. We must not exceed 40% of occupancy capacity. We are doing our best to arrange the chairs in our sanctuary. PLEASE DO NOT MOVE THE CHAIRS. See a staff member if you would like to alter the seating to suit your needs. We need to be flexible and understanding and extend grace to one another. Family units may stay together but must be 6 feet from other families/individuals.
5. The lobby (Gathering Place) will not be available during the service.
6. There will be no childcare or Kids Worship. Please be aware, as always, we will be understanding of kids being kids during the service. We do ask that everyone do their best to keep their kids respectful during the service. We understand that this may place too much of a demand on some families. Whether it's young children who may be too difficult to contain, or older kids who may not be able to help themselves from crossing the social distance boundaries, staying home and worshiping online may be the option you desire. If that is the case, you will receive no judgement. 
7. We will disinfect between services with a CDC approved disinfectant (We are already doing this)
8. Please follow the directions when coming on the property. We will have someone in the parking lot to give directions. Those with disabilities or other serious reasons for not walking for long distances are asked to park up front. Those without those difficulties are asked to park out back and enter through the side door of the sanctuary.

Those with the following symptoms should worship from home:

1. Fever (feeling feverish or a document temperature of 100.4 degrees fahrenheit or higher)
2. Respiratory symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, or shortness of breath
3. Whole body symptoms such as muscle aches, chills, and severe fatigue
4. Changes in the person’s sense of taste or smell?
5. Person has been in close contact with someone who is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 in the past 14 days? (note: healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients while wearing appropriate personal protective equipment can attend)

Now, I understand that there are varying opinions on whether or not this virus requires the type of response it has been given. Some believe that we needed more action and it needs to remain in place until the virus is eradicated. Others believe that the entire response has been an overreaction. Still others think we are where we ought to be.

Because of this, I call you to unity in the spirit. Understanding that these are opinions and are subject to information at hand, misinformation, predisposition and other factors. Remember, we all need grace, our government needs grace, our church leaders need grace. Please leave judgement and condemnation in the trash heap where it belongs.

“Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
(Philippians 2:1–4, NKJV)