Guidelines for Re-Opening

Beloved of Christ,
 
Philippians 2:4-5 reads, “Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interest of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” Friends, we have this opportunity to live into these words as a family of faith. The Session recognizes that many of us miss our communal worship, the time of fellowship, and sharing together. We also know the Covid-19 is still a very real and present threat. We have already seen numerous accounts of infections traced back to worship services. Roxboro Presbyterian does not seek to be the next report. We do however seek to honor God and each other as plans are enacted to restart worship within the walls of the building. The measures outlined are compiled after much prayer and considerable reading and researching. Most of what is outlined follows the recommendations from the CDC, Person County Health Department, and Denominational recommendations.
 
Roxboro Presbyterian Church has never been closed or cancelled. We have simply had to be physically apart and worship in alternative ways. I have heard so many stories of love and care for each other and was overwhelmed at the response to the Mission Committee to serve our community. Indeed, the Spirit is alive and well within the church and you, the church, are serving God in amazing ways.
 
Before all things – the Session encourages all who for whatever reason wish to continue to worship remotely to do so, particularly those in the high-risk categories. All online offerings will continue so please join via Facebook Live. Also, the Session requires that any who are currently sick or who are being tested for Covid-19 to refrain from worshipping within the sanctuary until he/she tests negative or is cleared by the health department.
 
The details for resuming worship now follow and will detail all the steps being taken to maintain the safest environment possible for us to worship together.. This was approved by the Session at the June 16 meeting and will remain in place until the Session determines conditions have changed. Worship will be vastly different for a little while. The Session acks for your patience and understanding. The goal is always to glorify God and to love each other.
 
PRIOR TO REOPENING

• All high traffic areas and mass touched items will be cleaned and disinfected.
• Hand sanitizer will be placed at Entrance and Exit doors.
• The main sanctuary doors will be Entrance only. The side door next to the lift will be exit only. Exceptions will be made for those needing mobility assistance (i.e. the ramp and the lift)
• Every other pew will be blocked off and left empty during worship to maintain proper social distancing.
• Seating will be allowed on the ends of the open pews. Maximum of two family members will be allowed to sit with each other to maintain social distancing across the pew. The middle of the pew will be blocked off.
• Hymnals and Bibles will be removed from the pews.
• Restrooms will be restricted to one person at a time. Please wash your hands thoroughly to protect each other and those who come after you.
• Unused common areas will be blocked off to limit the amount of cleaning that needs to be done after each service.

 
DAY OF WORSHIP

• Facemasks are required to be worn at all times while inside the building. Please provide your own mask.
• Six feet will be marked on the sidewalk as you wait to enter the sanctuary.
• An Outside Usher, properly wearing a facemask and gloves, will meet every person outside before entering. All worshippers must vocally answer the following questions in the negative to enter the sanctuary:
  • Have you had a fever over 100.4 in the last week?
  • Have you been in any large gatherings (over 50 people) in the last week?
  • Have you been in contact with anyone currently being tested or who has tested positive for Covid-19 in the last week?
  • Have you been tested for Covid-19 in the last week?
• The Outside Usher will then provide a facemask to those without one.
• The Outside Usher will then allow entrance to the sanctuary. The doors will be propped open.
• If you arrive after 11:10, the front doors will be shut. Please gently knock on the doors and the Outside Usher will come out to greet you. The Outside Usher will be seated at the door during the worship service.
• Upon entering, a second usher, the Inside Usher, will greet you inside. Again he/she will be properly wearing a facemask and gloves. The Inside Usher will record the names of every person worshipping that Sunday. This list will be kept in a secure place for two weeks in case someone later test positive for Covid-19 and must retrace his or her movements and interactions. This list will be destroyed after two weeks.
• The Inside Usher will provide hand sanitizer to every person who enters. ALL must use the hand sanitizer upon entering.
• The Inside Usher will also remind everyone of the social distancing protocols.
• The Inside Usher will then lead you to your seat. Seating will be from the front to the back to restrict cross contamination. This does mean we will not be sitting in our normal seats.

 
DURING WORSHIP

• Worship services will be vastly different for a while. Major modifications to the service include:
  • The passing of the peace will be removed from the service.
  • There will be no choral or congregational singing
  • Offering plates will not be passed through the congregation. Ushers will be trained on the new protocols for the tithes and offerings.
  • A bulletin will be preplaced on available seating.
  • Please refrain from social gatherings inside the building. We all miss each other and miss seeing each other, but we want to respect and keep each other safe.
  • Musicians and pastor will follow the recommendations for safe distancing via CDC guidelines of at least 15 feet. The pastor is allowed to remove the facemask during the sermon provided at least 15 feet of social distance is maintained.

 
AFTER WORSHIP

• When worship concludes, ushers will direct worshippers to exit via the side front door of the sanctuary and out the door into the garden. Please do not congregate by those doors. Ushers will dismiss by rows from the front to the back of the sanctuary. Again, accommodations will be made for those who require them.
• Please use the hand sanitizer by the door as you exit.
• The worshipper list shall be safely secured by the ushers.
• Session members and ushers will clean and disinfect all high traffic high and mass touched items.

 
The Session thanks you for understanding and following the recommendations to care for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
 
To the glory of God,
Rev. Evan Walker