Good News!
We have great news! The state government has released churches to restart in-person services with some guidelines on how to keep us safe as we do so. We will have one service this Sunday at 10am both in-person in the sanctuary and online through our streaming platforms.
Based on the recommendations of the CDC and the California Department of Public Health, we have created some procedures by which we will operate for now with modifications coming down the road as the situation changes.
We recognize that some of our body is not comfortable meeting in person or due to their health situation should not meet in person, so we will continue to offer our streaming options each week including the ability to interact with each other over Zoom. In fact, this Sunday we will spend some time celebrating God’s faithfulness by allowing individuals and families to share their stories from this time, and we will hear from both those who meet in person and those who join us digitally through the Zoom platform.
The following are the guidelines that we will be operating by for all services moving forward, including when we return to two services. Likely, some will say that they are too lenient and others will say they are too restrictive. Just know that we did quite a bit of research and tried to strike a balance between safety and practicality. If you have questions or concerns, let us know.
GCF COVID-19 Safety Procedures
ATTENDANCE
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We request that those with serious underlying medical conditions who are at higher risk of hospitalization and serious complications and those who have had a fever or been sick recently to please stay home and enjoy the online stream of our service. Please refer to these guidelines as you consider your attendance: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html
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We will limit services in the main sanctuary to no more than 62 participants. Overflow options will be available.
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We will limit services in Grace Hall to no more than 30 participants.
SERVICE
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Every other pew will be marked off as a no seating area, and we ask that family units sit together at one end of a pew.
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The meeting spaces will be disinfected before and after services each week.
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We will not have Sunday School or nursery until further notice, but we encourage families to bring kids into the service with them. We will be trying to keep the services to an hour to help families with children and to more closely align with recommendations.
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Due to the many recommendations by experts concerning corporate singing, if you would like to vocalize during our singing times, we ask that you wear a mask at least for that portion. The mask is not for your protection but for the protection of others.
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In Grace Hall, we ask that pods consist of members of the same family. We will have a couple of socially distanced seating options for those coming on their own to be able to participate in a pod discussion.
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Bulletins will be prepared prior to service with gloves and placed into the seats.
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Offering boxes will be available for giving with envelopes next to them.
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Bathroom use will be limited to one at a time.
ARRIVAL
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Per health department guidelines, all those coming for in service will receive a quick temperature screening as they come in.
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To help in the event of someone testing positive for Covid-19 who has attended our services, we will be keeping a record of attendees. We will not release this list unless someone who has attended tests positive.
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We will have an area outside for socializing before and after service. We ask that you practice social distancing boundaries during this time.
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Out of love and respect for each other and knowing that some may not want physical contact, we ask that all refrain from the normal hugs and handshakes that we give each other. Please practice and maintain social distancing boundaries at all times.
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Hand sanitizer, gloves, and masks will be available for anyone wishing to use them.
OTHER
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For the time being, we will be closing the west end of the building to focus our sanitizing efforts.
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Elder meetings will continue by internet conference, as possible, and our office hours will continue to be limited.
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The offering of food and/or drinks will be discontinued during this time.
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Any groups using the building must disinfect any sound equipment, including microphones they use and all door handles that were touched.
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All uses of the building will need to follow the above guidelines.
Last few things for this Sunday:
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Please park in the back parking lot.
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There will be an area for socializing outside in the back. If you come early to socialize, we will announce when service is about to start, so that you can make your way in and to your seat.
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We will enter before service and exit after the service through the northeast entrance.
The Elders
SUNDAY @ 10AM
STREAMING IN THREE PLACES SIMULTANEOUSLY
Choose your platform:
ONE
BIG
FAMILY
The church from the earliest days viewed itself as a family. That is what we strive to live and be at Grace Community Fellowship. We want to be about loving each other in a self-sacrificial way with Christ as the head of the family.
