Guidelines for Coming to worship

As you will already be aware, we opened the church for corporate worship on May 24. We did not expect everyone would return immediately.  In fact, we encourage those who have weakened-immune systems and our elderly to stay home until you feel comfortable about getting out.  And just so you will know, we have established the following guidelines for church attendance.  Please try to maintain these guidelines, if not for your own concern, then for the concern of others.

All of the information below is to be used as guidelines for keeping everyone safe. This is not a mandate telling you how to live your life, but it is the best we have to offer so as to allow everyone to know that we are doing our best to keep you safe.

We highly encourage each family to bring your own masks and gloves (if your desire to use them), along with your own sanitizer and wipes so as to wipe the pew around you before you leave.  Yes, we will have sanitizing stations, and we will be wiping the pews between each Service, but your help would be very much appreciated.

1)      We will follow all guidelines presented to us by the Governor, and the CDC.

2)      Masks and gloves will be allowed but will not be mandatory.

3)      We have produced a lot of signage about washing hands, keeping safe distances, reserving vacant pews as empty space, as well as providing several sanitizing stations, etc.

4)      We will be open Sunday mornings (7:30, 8:45, 11:00 and 1:15 (Spanish)) and on Wednesday evenings for Eucharist only at 6:00pm.

5)      We will not start ‘on-location’ classes, dinners, receptions, groups, or special events until further notice is given.  No Youth Group Meetings at the church until further notice.

6)      No Nursery or Children’s Chapel will be available until further notice. We will continue to host weekly on-line classes for adults and children, as well as the youth group.

7)      With the normal four Services on Sunday (7:30, 8:45 & 11:00am, & 1:00pm Spanish Service) our regular attendance will allow us to

a.       Sit every other pew (with vacate signs and chords on the empty pews, and with ‘caution space-distance’ signs on the allowable pews.

b.       We will remove all pens and pencils, all hymnals and Bibles from the pews until further notice and will post hymns on the screen at 8:45, and as normal at 11:00am.

c.       We will have ushers place designated Service Bulletins for each Service on the allowable pews at 8:45 and 11:00am. However, at the 7:30 and 1:00 Services congregants may pick up their own bulletins in the front entrance of the church nave.

d.       We will encourage the older and more vulnerable members (those who choose to come at this time) to come to 7:30am Service where we normally have from 40-50 congregants.

e.       We will set aside the middle Epistle-side pews (up-front) for the older and more vulnerable members at 8:45 and 11:00am Services.

f.        During the offering we will have people walk down the middle aisle single file, or by family, so as to present their offerings into a plate at the altar rail. It is also a sign of offering ourselves before the Lord.

g.       When distributing the Sacrament of Holy Communion, we will have congregants come down the middle aisle individually, or as a family, at safe distances to receive the consecrated hosts from either of two clergy standing on either side of the middle aisle. (please, no kneeling at the rail at this time).

h.       The Canterbury Choir (8:45 Service) and Joyful Noise (11:00am) will be reduced into smaller ensembles for the meantime so as to maintain safe distancing practices. The choir will not process until further notice. Words for the hymns will be displayed on the screen at 8:45 until further notice, because hymnals have been removed.

i.        Ushers, greeters, and other designated groups will wipe the pews and other surfaces (door knobs, handrails, etc.) that may have been used at a previous service.

j.        Clergy, Vergers, LEM’s and acolytes will sit in every other chair inside the sanctuary. Acolytes handling any cross or torch or Gospel Book will wear fabric acolyte gloves.

k.       Clergy will sanitize hands before the Service and before distributing Communion.

l.         Greeters will open the available doors while standing on the back-side of the door for all people so that the people will not have to handle the doors.

8)      Much of the building will remain ‘closed’ so as to avoid spreading the virus.

9)      Coffee hour between Services will not be available (no refreshments) – but coffee will be available for workers and volunteers (out of our coffee machine) with signs at the coffee station stating the need to be clean and cautious.

Cleaning and sanitizing the church

1)     Our sextons will be more vigilant about wiping and cleaning all surfaces during the week and in preparation for Sunday and Wednesday.

2)     Different groups will be vigilant in-between Services about cleaning and wiping.

3)     If people decide to visit at a table or somewhere for conversation, we will advertise for them to wipe down the space after usage.