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ELDER'S GATHERING PLAN
We continue to follow guidance from the CDC, WHO, and the government and will continue to monitor the situation. If the number of cases begins to go up in Hanover county, we will reevaluate our in person worship plans and contact the congregation via the phone to let everyone know.
CHURCH STAFF TIME AT THE CHURCH
Our church administrator is working in the office. Rev. Michael is at the church regularly during the week from Monday to Thursday.
ENCOURAGE AT-RISK INDIVIDUALS AND THOSE WITH SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESS TO STAY AT HOME OR CONSIDER LISTENING TO THE SERVICE IN THE PARKING LOT ON FM RADIO
People in high-risk demographics should know that we will be streaming or providing online worship services so that our older members and people with certain underlying medical conditions can remain sheltered in place. We want to suggest that you strongly consider worshiping from home if you are in that category. We also want you to know that we provide an FM Audio signal to our parking lot. People who are not comfortable coming inside or those with underlying conditions can come and listen during worship. We will have a person gloved and masked who can greet them and hand out communion to people worshiping outside. Members of the church can also greet them as they remain safely in their vehicles.
DEEP CLEAN THE SANCTUARY
Our cleaning staff has been cleaning each week. We plan to have a thorough cleaning each time the sanctuary is in use.
PLANS FOR WORSHIP IN THE SANCTUARY
These plans can and will be modified according to the conditions at the time of re-opening for worship. Most are based on VA guidelines for houses of worship and best practices.
We continue to follow guidance from the CDC, WHO, and the government and will continue to monitor the situation. If the number of cases begins to go up in Hanover county, we will reevaluate our in person worship plans and contact the congregation via the phone to let everyone know.
CHURCH STAFF TIME AT THE CHURCH
Our church administrator is working in the office. Rev. Michael is at the church regularly during the week from Monday to Thursday.
ENCOURAGE AT-RISK INDIVIDUALS AND THOSE WITH SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESS TO STAY AT HOME OR CONSIDER LISTENING TO THE SERVICE IN THE PARKING LOT ON FM RADIO
People in high-risk demographics should know that we will be streaming or providing online worship services so that our older members and people with certain underlying medical conditions can remain sheltered in place. We want to suggest that you strongly consider worshiping from home if you are in that category. We also want you to know that we provide an FM Audio signal to our parking lot. People who are not comfortable coming inside or those with underlying conditions can come and listen during worship. We will have a person gloved and masked who can greet them and hand out communion to people worshiping outside. Members of the church can also greet them as they remain safely in their vehicles.
DEEP CLEAN THE SANCTUARY
Our cleaning staff has been cleaning each week. We plan to have a thorough cleaning each time the sanctuary is in use.
PLANS FOR WORSHIP IN THE SANCTUARY
These plans can and will be modified according to the conditions at the time of re-opening for worship. Most are based on VA guidelines for houses of worship and best practices.
- Social distancing guidelines will prevent us from having small group Sunday school classes in our small rooms, Children Worship & Wonder or the nursery right now. When we can we will use larger rooms for Small Groups to meet. We continue to evaluate as conditions change.
- Summer/ Fall / Early Winter we will offer one worship service on Sundays in the sanctuary at 9:00 a.m. because we are limited to 50% capacity according to VA guidelines. Outdoor/Drive In Worship will be at 11:00 a.m.
- All worshipers will be required to maintain social distancing. 6 feet apart.
- All worshipers will be required to wear face masks. If you forget yours, the church will provide one for you. We will also have hand sanitizer available.
- Worshipers will not touch one another.
- A greeter with gloves and mask will greet you at the door when you come in. You will be given a premade communion cup and wafer. The offering box or plate will be set up for you so that you can place your offering in it as you come into the sanctuary. Another volunteer will clean the offering box after people touch it.
- We will ask that following the service you bring your empty communion cup and place it in the trash as you exit the building.
- There will be no bulletins. All information about worship will be sent to you via email or will appear on the screen.
- Every other pew in the sanctuary will be closed.
- All hymnals and paper will be removed from the pews to cut down on spreading germs.
- You can sit with your family or be seated 6 feet apart on the pews.
- The choir will not sit in the loft. This space will be reserved for worship participants who will also maintain a 6-foot social distance. One elder will serve at the table at a time and assist the minister. Rev. Michael will stay in the pulpit or on the chancel.
- Speakers and singers can remove their masks but must stay far away from other worshipers.
- At this time, there will be no congregational singing in the sanctuary. We will modify this as we can.
- We will also ask that each person who uses the restroom please use cleaning supplies to clean all surfaces.
- We will ask the willing elders, diaconate and other volunteers to serve as greeters opening doors, handing out communion and receiving the offering. These volunteers would also spray down and clean the pews used following each worship service.