June 21, 2020 – Return to Worship Guidelines

Jun 13, 2020 | news | 0 comments

We plan to return to in person, corporate worship on June 21, 2020. In order to protect one another’s health, we have developed the following guidelines as we join together and protect the most vulnerable among us.

Return to Church – Grace UMC

We are in an unprecedented time related to community health.  COVID-19 remains a significant health threat for all of us.  The health and safety of all who come to Grace is the primary concern of our leadership as we begin to gather as a congregation. 

For the foreseeable future, it will be necessary to incorporate changes into our cleaning and gathering practices.  We are asking that members and their guests incorporate the following changes:

  1. Special cleaning procedures have put into place to provide the safest environment possible for our worship to resume. 
  2. Facial coverings are recommended to be worn at all times while in the building.  Masks will be available upon request, but people are encouraged to wear their own.
  3. All doors to the sanctuary will stand open for 20 minutes before and at the conclusion of the service to decrease touching door handles.  For security reasons, all doors will continue to be locked and monitored during the service. 
  4. Everyone will be asked to clean hands upon entering and exiting the building.  Hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes will be easily accessible throughout the building.  Ushers will respectfully remind worshipers to clean their hands at entry and exit.
  5. No food or beverages will be served.  Functions involving eating are prohibited at this time.
  6. Worshipers are asked to be seated as quickly as possible and depart immediately at the conclusion of the service. 
  7. Worshipers are asked to practice social distancing or six feet or greater.  Pews will be clearly marked as “open or closed”.  Family units may sit together but should remain six feet apart from other families.
  8. Practices that encourage contact between people will be discouraged.  The Passing of the Peace and joining hands for the benediction will be omitted from the order of worship.  Handshaking, hugging, or clustering together before, during or after the service/meetings are discouraged.
  9. Items intended to be shared by multiple users will not be used.  Hymnals, pens and pew Bibles will be removed.  Offering plates will be placed at designated locations in the sanctuary to eliminate passing the plates from person to person.  We will not use paper bulletins.  The order of worship will be available on our website if you wish to print a copy to bring from home or follow on a personal device.  Access to the Altar area, including the chancel rail, will be restricted to those participating in the worship service. 
  10. Holy Communion will be observed using self-contained individually wrapped elements only.  These will be distributed to each person by a masked, gloved usher when entering the sanctuary.   There will be no gathering at the altar for communion.
  11. Because of the increased risk for respiratory transmission, there will be no congregational or choir singing.  Socially distanced praise teams. Soloists and musicians will provide music for worship.
  12. Nursery service and on-site Sunday School will not resume at this time.  Use of the building for weddings and funerals will not resume until further notice. If small groups can determine ways to meet safely, they are encouraged to do so.  Please let the church office know if you are planning to meet.
  13. All meetings at the church must be placed on the church calendar and are subject to review or cancellation as indicated.
  14. Anyone with any of the following conditions is asked not to attend functions at Grace United Methodist Church:
    1. close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19
    2. Coughing, shortness of breath or sore throat
    3. Fever >100 in the last 48 hours.
    4. New loss of taste or small
    5. Vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours

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While this list of changes may seem extensive, it provides the greatest chance that we are able to maintain an environment that is safe for all.  These small sacrifices will encourage people to return to church with confidence and without fear.  This reassurance will make all the inconveniences worthwhile.  Special thanks to each of you for practicing social distancing, for keeping up with friends as we have waited, and for your faithfulness to our ministries during this MOST unusual time and as we move forward.  Grace is an amazing group and I know that we will remain strong as we navigate changes over the next few weeks.