We look forward to the time when we can worship together. Please know that this will be a gradual reopening for the safety of all. We know that there are many different levels of comfort, and we will start out cautiously and gradually return to more normal operations.
When will worship happen? We will move into our hybrid model for worship on Sunday, July 18th at our usual time of 10:00 AM. You are invited to participate in worship either online or onsite. Online will work much the way it has since the beginning of our COVID distancing using the same Zoom access link. Onsite will be different than we’ve experienced in the past – please keep reading to find out more.
Can I come to worship? Yes! We are not going to monitor vaccination status and do not expect you to disclose your own vaccine status or health history. We ask that if you are sick or experiencing any symptoms of illness or if you have been in contact with someone at risk of having COVID, that you worship from home. Please be thoughtful of your own risk and the risk of others. We strongly urge all people who are eligible to choose vaccination.
What about masks? For now, we will ask that all worshippers wear masks. You may wonder why fully vaccinated people can’t attend without masks, or why we can’t have a section for fully vaccinated people. Those are fair questions – questions our staff, worship ministry team, and session have spent a lot of time considering. We have decided that it is in the best interests of the whole community if we all remain masked at this time. You will see worship leaders remove masks when speaking from the front and while distanced from other leaders. All worship leaders are fully vaccinated. Other than that, masks are always required during our worship service. Session will review this policy each month and will make changes to it as the safety of our community permits.
Where do I sit? People have different comfort levels in group settings regardless of their vaccination status, and we are committed to having a place for everyone in worship. The sanctuary will be divided into two sections. The right/north section will have every other pew closed to allow for at least 5 feet of physical distancing in that section. We ask that you carefully respect those who sit there and leave 5-6 feet of distance. Sitting on the outside edges of the pews will help maintain this distance. The left/south section will have no pews closed.
What are those colored labels? On tables in the narthex there will be color coded labels. You do not need to wear one, but as a way for you to easily indicate your physical distancing choices, please feel free to wear the label color that works for you. It’s meant to be an easy, non-verbal way for you communicate your distancing choice to others.
Red indicates that you prefer to maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance.
Yellow indicates you are staying cautious – elbow taps only.
Green means you are fully vaccinated and hugs and handshakes are welcome.
What about singing? Janet will continue to lead the hymns for us. At first, we will ask that those worshiping onsite hum along with her. As we learn more about the safety of congregational singing, we will return to singing hymns together.
Can I bring my offering? We will have an offering plate on the communion table and invite you to drop your offering in that at the end of the service. You may also continue to send your offering to the church in the mail.
What about children? As always, we welcome children in worship. At this time, we will not be offering childcare or worship center in the building. In the coming weeks, we hope to offer some outdoor activities for children led by staff and volunteers.
Will we have coffee hour? During these lovely summer days, coffee will be served on the patio for those who wish to stay for fellowship.
Can I hang out with my church family before and after worship? So that all worshippers can enter and exit while maintaining safe distance, please gather outside if you wish to greet people and reconnect. Please do not mingle in the narthex.
