In- Church worship begins Sunday, October 24

On October 24, we will re-open for In-Church worship again with limited capacity and some restrictions. We are excited to see our family gathering in the sanctuary again! If you wish to attend, there is a form that will need to be filled out before you can enter so give yourself some extra time. Also remember to bring your masks. Since we’re now starting the service at 1030, the audio and video services will be available later in the day than they have been.

Return to In-Church Worship Plan

Team Members

Ken Pebesma, Simone Narasa, Bev Thacker, Sander Fleming, Rev. Jeff Bacon and Lorraine Boomhour

Background

This plan has been created to manage the safe and orderly return to regular worship, resumption of church group meetings and to enable access to church facilities by third party renters. It uses the local restrictions based on the current provincial regulations. 

Requirements

Although we are not required to check vaccine passports, all eligible attendees MUST be fully vaccinated. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of Covid-19, you should get tested and only attend church in person after receiving medical clearance. Anyone who tests positive within a week of attending a service in person should inform the Church office so we can inform everyone else who attended that week. Appropriate masks MUST be worn at all times in the church building. Physical distancing of 2 metres MUST be maintained between people who are not part of your regular contacts.

Worship Plan

In order to allow us to worship safely, we will need to make changes to the service as covered below. Wearing of masks is mandatory during the service.

Lighting the Christ Candle

The Christ Candle will be lit by the Scripture Reader. The reader will sit in one of the front rows of the pews to eliminate passing by other people.

Responsive Reading

The congregation will participate in responsive readings but will wear their masks while doing so.  

Passing the Peace

This will be done in a non-contact manner without leaving your pew.

Hymns

Singing will not be allowed but hymn books will be kept in the pews so people can follow along.  We will either listen to live music or play a pre-recorded version of the hymn.

Offering

No offering will be collected during service. Offerings may continue to be submitted as they were before or if you attend in person, a single drop off point will be created at the back of the Sanctuary.  

Communion

When we celebrate Communion, members will bring their own elements to use. Masks may be removed to consume the elements but then will be put back on.

Ushers

When we first open, there will be no ushers. As attendance rises, we will bring them back into service. Ushering will be done on a voluntary basis. The ushers primary activity will be to distribute bulletins and monitor pedestrian traffic to keep people moving and spaced out.

Traffic & Seating

Seating

In order to maintain spacing, the number of available seats is determined by the seating plan in Appendix A. Seats will be physically blocked off to show which ones are open and which ones are closed. At first, people will be allowed to find their own seat as we are expecting a fairly small turnout. If we approach the limits of the seating plan, we may need to move to a reservation type system. Only sit with those who are from your immediate family or from your contact “bubble”. Click on the seating plan below. We are using only the green seats.

Traffic

Given the limited space we have in our corridors and the location of our entrance and exit doors, we will not be able to separate directional traffic. Attendees will be expected to keep moving and maintain appropriate spacing from others. There will be lines on the floor to assist people in judging their distance. Members will proceed to their seat using the shortest route possible and maintain appropriate spacing. Ushers will not be present, but there will be someone available to answer questions and provide guidance.  

Once service is complete, the congregation will exit similar to exiting an airplane. The rearmost pews will leave first and then successively towards the front of the Sanctuary. People should exit as quickly as possible, stopping only to put on any coats or boots. Any social gathering should be done outside the building.

Washrooms

All washrooms will be open but should only be occupied by one person at a time. Disinfecting wipes will be placed in each washroom, after people have washed their hands they will wipe down any taps and handles they have touched as they exit the washroom. Outside of each washroom there is a garbage can and a hand sanitizer station.

September Dove

We can receive donations through other channels. Some options for your consideration. Click on Givings