Safety Instructions for Gathering

To view and print the seating layout for gathered worship please click below.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW SEATING MAP

Please abide by the following safety protocols if you plan to participate in Sunday morning worship in the sanctuary:

1. Our service begins at 10:00 AM. It is held online and also streamed on our website. Social distancing is required for the service (please refrain from shaking hands, hugging, etc.).  Families can sit together and will be seated so that everyone is at least 6 feet from a non-family member, as shown in the attached diagram. The capacity of the sanctuary will depend on the number of people in each family unit, but 26 units can be accommodated using the layout in the diagram. Portions of pews will be blocked off clearly so that people know where they may and may not sit.  Only 1 side of each pew will be used with larger families using the large left-side section and couples/singles using the middle section. The small right-side section will be a blend.
2. Those who are fully vaccinated (meaning that 2 weeks have passed since the last dose of the vaccine) do not need to wear masks in our church service. There may be those who, though fully vaccinated, will choose to continue wearing a mask, and that's fine.
3. We remind those who are not fully vaccinated of your responsibility to continue to be "subject to the governing authorities" and wear a mask at church.
4. Small children need to be kept with their parents at all times while in the building so as to maintain social distancing. We understand this may be challenging especially for those children who are used to running around and playing together after the service. Parents will need to leave the sanctuary immediately after the service if their children are not able to stay with them at all times. Parents with very fussy children during the service can exit by the fastest route and do not need to follow normal flow.
   
5. Bulletins will be emailed for printing at home and available in the sanctuary and will include everything needed for worship so that pew bibles and hymnals can be removed - basic protocols will also be printed in the bulletin for reference.
6. Initially, there will be no singing, no nursery, and no passing of the offering plate. An offering box will be located at the back of the sanctuary for those who want to give an offering on their way into the service. Online giving also continues to be available.
7. Use of the annex will be limited to using the bathrooms.
8. Greeters will be outside (weather permitting) or in the back of the church. Deacons will also be available to remind members and instruct visitors on the new procedures, answer questions, and help with seating.
9. There will be hand sanitizer available in multiple locations and everyone will be asked to use hand sanitizer as they enter the building. The sanctuary and bathrooms will be sanitized between worship services.
10. Communion – we will use prepackaged disposable communion packs. The elements will be placed on one or more tables at the front of the sanctuary before the service, spaced far enough apart so that people will only touch the cups they are picking up and not those around them. After the introduction of the Supper and prayer, participants will be invited either to come up to the appropriate table, or to have a family member go and get the elements for the rest of the family.
11. If you attend a service and later in the week exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 please notify anyone you feel you had more than passing contact with during the previous 14 days. If you test positive for COVID-19 please notify Bonnie. In either case, please do not return to church until cleared by a physician.

As many have noted, this is a complicated situation and we realize that there will be a variety of opinions regarding how best to proceed. We have sought the Lord in prayer and been governed by principles we find in the Word.

• We are called to love, and love seeks the welfare of others and does not insist on its own way. John 15:12-17; 1 Cor 13
• We are called to prudence and wisdom. Prov. 3:13; 13:16; 27:12
• We are called not to be overcome with fear regardless of the decision we each make. Phil 4:6-7; Ps 46
• We are called to respect and obey governing authorities. Rom 13:1-7
• We are called to worship and gather for worship. Ps 122; Heb 10:24-25; Acts 2:42-47
• In areas where convictions are different in areas of practice with the community of faith, we are called to understanding, peace, and mutual upbuilding. Rom 14