When will in-person gatherings resume and what will the limited gatherings look like?
We currently plan to begin limited, registration-only in-person gatherings on June 14. While we expect our opening to line up with the phases that have been laid out by comminuty leaders, everything hinges on the health of our community and the CDC’s recommendations. We have to be cautious about how we reopen due to the size of our gatherings, so bare with us as we strive to make the best of the situation and remain safe in doing so.
During these limited gatherings, we will take every precaution according to guidance from the health department:
During these limited gatherings, we will take every precaution according to guidance from the health department:
- We will require pre-registration to attend services, and check-in will be required before you can enter the building. Doing this will allow us to contact you in case we receive reports of a COVID-19 patient who attended the same service.
- We will limit services to 120 capacity.
- Our seating will be marked so families can sit together, and these seating clusters will be distanced from others.
- Adult, college-age, youth, and child Bible classes will not meet.
- All attendees are required to wear masks. Unless on-stage, all volunteers and staff will wear masks.
- Bathroom access will be limited to 1-2 individuals at a time.
- We will not serve coffee or food.
- We will not pass offering baskets. Containers will be placed NEED INFO HERE
- We will ask attendees to self-screen (check tempertaure, assess symptoms, etc) before attending a service.
- Anyone experiencing fever, cough, or other COVID-19 symptoms should not attend.
- Vulnerable populations should not attend.
Why will you require registration for the limited gatherings?
Like many churches nation-wide, after consulting with health experts in our church and community, we’re starting our re-opening process with limited gatherings that will require pre-registration to attend. The services will begin at 8AM and 11AM. The 11AM will also be livestreamed. We know this isn’t ideal, but it provides an opportunity for those who want to attend in-person gatherings sooner with a chance to do that in a way that honors the health guidelines that are still in place. Pre-registration is required for two reasons:
- First, it allows us to limit the capacity of our worship centers so that we can properly distance those that come to worship with us. We’ve decided to temporarily limit the capacity of our service to 120 until we can to return to full gatherings, and we need to know in advance when we reach that limit.
- Second, pre-registering and using check-in allows us to contact attendees in the event that we learn of a COVID-19 case from someone else who attended the same day.
How can we gather together right now?
In-person gatherings may be on-hold or limited for a little while longer, but Home Church is another great step toward community. While we desperately desire to come together in-person, the West Side leaders want to make wise decisions that are safe, healthy, and spiritually fruitful for everyone. Because of this, we are recommending that, as a start to transitioning back into in-person gatherings, consider gathering as small groups in homes. We should lean into this season of home worship where small groups can gather of around 10-15 in size to watch the worship live-stream, fellowship, and encourage one another.