1. Q – When will in-person Sunday worship services resume?
A – Sunday services are expected to resume in-person on June 14th.
2. Q – What plans are in place to maintain social distancing?
A – Pews are clearly and strategically labeled to maximize distancing, and ushers will be available to assist with spacing and seating needs. Immediately following the service you will be asked to move outdoors to fellowship or return home.
3. Q – What other health and safety measures have been implemented?
A – For a brief description (though not a comprehensive list) of health and safety control measures, please refer to this document: URC’s Health and Safety Guidelines for Sunday Worship Services document.
4. Q – Will the nursery and children’s program be available?
A – Not initially. To support families and encourage children in worship, kids activity packets will be available in a protective baggie upon entering the building.
5. Q – Will cookies and coffee be available?
A – Not initially. In the future we expect refreshments to be available for special occasions. Coffee will not be available.
6. Q – Will the Sunday services continue to be streamed?
A – Yes, the 10am service will continue to be streamed for the foreseeable future.
7. Q – Will the congregation continue to sing?
A – Yes, but we will sing fewer songs for now to reduce risk of transmission.
8. Q – What changes will occur in how we’ll serve Communion, take the Offering, hand out Bulletins, use Hymnals and Bibles, etc.?
A – All materials will be removed from the pew racks. Communion will be served via self-contained packets of juice and wafers (gluten-free option available). Offering plates and friendship pads will be temporarily discontinued. Giving can be done via text or through our website; checks can be mailed to the church office or deposited in secure drop boxes in the rear of the Sanctuary.
9. Q – Will other churches in the area open at the same time?
A We are seeking to coordinate URC’s re-opening with other gospel-focused churches to communicate a consistent message to our community.
10. Q – Will PPE be provided by URC?
A – You are encouraged to bring your own PPE – there will also be face masks and gloves available at the door.
11. Q – Will everyone wear PPE during the service?
A Face masks or cloth face coverings are strongly encouraged upon entering the building and through the entirety of time in the building. Per CDC guidelines, children under age 2, or anyone who has trouble breathing, should not wear masks. The pastor and musicians on the platform will not wear a face mask during the service.
12. Q – Will we still have an opportunity to fellowship with others?
A – At the conclusion of the service the ushers will dismiss worshipers by row, and you’ll be asked to proceed outside for fellowship.
13. Q – Will restrooms be available?
A Yes, the restrooms on the main level are still available, but will have reduced capacity. When possible, for health and safety concerns, please try to use the bathroom at home.
14. Q – What time should our family plan to arrive on Sunday?
A – Please plan to come early. Upon arriving, you’ll be asked to review the content of several signs containing health and safety measures and new building guidelines. Hand sanitizer and other PPE is available. Ushers will be available to assist seating and spacing as needed.
15. Q – Will I be able to sit in my customary pew or preferred seat?
A – Spacing between households will be the priority, according to the designated pews for that service.
16.Q – Will everybody be returning to worship right away?
A – Several people will refrain from coming right away for various reasons, and we encourage everyone to follow their conscience, respect the consciences of others, and take responsibility for your own health needs. We encourage people not to attend in person services if they are fearful, elderly, immune compromised, or have a vulnerable pulmonary system.
17. Q – Should I attend services if I feel sick?
A – You should refrain from coming or entering the building if any of the following apply:
- You have had symptoms in the past 72 hours, including, but not limited to: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, and/or diarrhea
- You have had any close contact in the last 14 days with someone with a diagnosis of COVID-19
- You have traveled to a known COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days
18. Q – Will I need to confirm that our family is healthy prior to entering the building?
A – Signs will be in place upon entering the building to remind everyone of coronavirus symptoms and other protective measures. Congregants are asked to review this info and seriously consider whether or not they should attend in-person services.
19. Q What should be expected this summer with our air conditioning system?
A – We will adjust our air conditioning system to refresh used spaces several times per hour. This process, along with new hospital-grade air filters, will improve the indoor air quality, but will mean the inside feel will be closer to outside in both temperature and humidity. As a result, we suggest you dress accordingly.
20. Q – Is it really necessary to register for a specific Sunday worship service?
A – Yes. For health and safety reasons we plan to initially limit the attendance for each service to 75 people in the Sanctuary at one time, including children, pastors, musicians, techs, etc. Ushers will use the registration list to help manage the room limit and allow for any guests who may show up.
21. Q – Can I invite a friend to worship services?
A – Yes. We would ask that they register (if possible) but the plan is to have a few open spots for visitors.
22. Q – What happens if I start feeling sick and am diagnosed with COVID-19 after I’ve attended a URC service?
A – Please email reopening@urcstaff.org so the church can notify everyone who was involved in that service that they may have been exposed. We would ask that those people would refrain from attending in-person services for 14 days (see #16 Q&A).
23. Q – Will the number of 75 per service be increased during the summer?
A – Lord-willing, yes. The hope and plan would be to increase this number at a future date. The Session will continue to evaluate the circumstances and prayerfully consider how to best apply our six guiding principles.
24. Q – Are there ways that I can help with URC’s reopening?
A – Yes; as we implement multiple Sunday services, we may need additional help with various tasks. Please refer to the Reopening Volunteer link for additional info and to sign-up.
25. Q – Who can I contact if I have other questions?
A – You can email reopening@urcstaff.org for other questions.
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