COVID-19 and the Church
The steps we’re taking to keep your safe and how you can do the same.
What we are doing to keep our community safe.
Limiting Capacity
Our services will have limited seating capacity to enable safe physical distancing. For children 5 and under, we have limited childcare available at the 9am Sunday services.
Safe Seating
Seats will be set up in safely spaced pods of 1, 2, 3, or 4. Groups who wish to sit together will need to arrive together. We will try to seat groups larger than six in proximity to one another.
Controlled Entry/Exit
Before services, we will ask you to wait outside to limit the number of people in the building. At the end of service, please maintain safe distance from others, and exit the building to allow us to clean between services.
Wearing Masks
Masks will be required for all volunteers and attendees ages 3 and up. Acceptable masks include cloth or disposable face coverings that cover the nose and mouth completely. A face shield alone is not sufficient and requires that a mask be worn as well.
Sanitization
The Sanctuary is sanitized between services. Commonly touched areas, such as door handles, are wiped down between services. Hand sanitizer is available at check in and around the building.
Limited Amenities
Refreshments will not be offered during this time. Water fountains are closed. Restrooms are available and sanitized before and after services, with doors propped open where privacy allows. Capacity in the restrooms will be limited.
Contact-Free Greetings
We encourage a warm welcome, but discourage physical contact including hugs and handshaking. Doors are propped open. We will not distribute bulletins or handouts, and we do not offer a stand and greet time during worship.
Healthy Hospitality
Touch free attendance will be taken at check-in. Offering / donations can be given online or at the giving table near the exit. Prayer requests and celebrations can be shared electronically.
Communion
Communion will be served in pre-packaged containers and will be distributed before the service begins. Worshippers will be invited to remove their masks to receive communion and asked to put them back on.
What you can do
If you don’t feel well or have been around someone who has been exposed to or diagnosed with COVID-19, please stay home and worship with us online.
Maintain a six-foot distance between you and others. Remain in your chair unless absolutely necessary.
Masks that completely cover your nose and mouth are required at all times while inside our buildings or while outside waiting for worship.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water isn’t available, use hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth and mask. Quickly dispose of anything that has come in contact with your face.
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze in your upper sleeve, not your hands.