Reopening Plan

What is contained in this plan is subject to change based on extensions of, or new stay-at-home orders and the direction of our bishop in Missouri. It is unlikely that the timeframe will be shortened. If changes are made it will be because we are needing to increase social distancing and/or stay-at-home orders

The video above is from our Facebook live session where we talked about this plan.
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Timeline
May 4: Current Stay-at-home order is lifted (Phase 1 of Governor’s plan starts)
The church will remained closed at the start of this time.
 Online and mailed worship services will continue
 Online giving setup and “How To’s” developed
 
May 11: By this date we will have surveys out for families to choose a service
Have info about services and activities out to church through many formats
 
May 24: First worship services to be held
Online and mailed worship services will continue
Worship services at 9am & 10:30am (outside as weather permits)
No other groups will be meeting, and no in person Sunday School
The church will remain closed to other activities
 
June 7??: Return to normal worship services and groups that are meeting
Online worship will continue through the Summer
Mailed worship services will continue for those who request it
 
Guiding Philosophy
This is not a race where we want to be first out of the starting blocks. We want to make sure that we are providing a safe and healthy worshiping environment. We want to be an example of what it means to love our neighbor.
 
This means that it will be a while before things return to “normal.” At this point we don’t yet know what our new normal will be like. This plan gives us more time to figure that out. The thought behind doing two services is to keep our numbers below 50 at each service, and to allow for more distance between individuals and families.

Complete Reopening
How will we know when it is okay to completely reopen?
For this we will be watching 1) State, County, and City guidelines, 2) advice we receive from the Conference, and 3) our own needs and concerns.
An announcement will be made when we are ready take a next step beyond this plan

​New Procedures
When we begin the reopening process, there are a few things that we will need to change, and/or begin doing.
 
What we can’t do

• No handshakes, hugs, or other physical contact between individuals not in the same household
• No passing of the peace
• No meals served in the church
• No coffee and water offered by the church (you can bring your own)
• No Communion
• No Sunday School part 2 during worship
• No passing attendance pads, offering plates, hymnals, bulletins, etc.
• No activities at church except for food pantry and necessary meetings

 
What needs to change

• Offering collected in back of the church, by mail, or online
• Rather than showing announcements before the service starts, the screens will give instructions on where to sit.
• Every other row of pews to be blocked off
• Minimum six feet of distance between individuals and households in pews
• Necessary meetings will all have in person and zoom offerings
• Use the restroom before leaving home
• Kids don’t come forward for the children’s message

 
What will be different

• Minimize time spent in the Sanctuary before and after worship (10 min or less)
• You must wear a mask for the entirety of your time in the building
• Greeters will be outside the main entrances to regulate the flow into and out of the sanctuary
• Hand sanitizing stations at each entrance to the sanctuary
• Pews and other public spaces to be wiped down between services and after necessary meetings
• If you are in an “at-risk” category, please continue to worship from home

We are still in the beginning stages of a time of transition which will require both patience and grace. Thankfully, God is bigger than the troubles we face. We know that we will come through this on the other side. We will be changed, but we will still be gathering as God has called us to be a part of this community of faith.