COVID-19 Plan 2020

 

As our church is now open, it is still very important to follow Starrsville COVID-19 guidelines. Please know we have been diligently thinking through our preparations. We have tried to consider the entire scope of our congregation, but especially those most affected by the virus. Thank you for helping us follow the plans laid out below.  

 

Our goal here at Starrsville UMC is to keep everyone safe while worshipping God as one family. 

 

HOW HAVE WE PREPARED? – PREPAREDNESS/CLEANLINESS

 

We have completed thorough cleanings of our entire building. Special attention has been given to high touch points, such as surfaces, light switches, doorknobs, etc. Our buildings will continue to be cleaned each week.

2.      In our Sanctuary we have removed the Hymnals, Bibles, attendance books, writing utensils, giving envelopes, and prayer request cards. We encourage you to bring your own Bible, writing utensils, or note sheets in the weeks to come.

3.      When you arrive on campus, you will hear announcements and ushers encouraging you to: 

a.       Follow governmental and social distancing guidelines – please try to maintain a 6ft distance at all times. 

b.      Patiently and orderly await being seated. Kevin Marks will be at the front door of the sanctuary letting one family or person in at a time and Michael Young will be there to help you find an area to sit within social distancing guidelines.

c.       Please wear face masks. If you do not own one, Kevin Marks will provide you with one as you enter the sanctuary.  

d.      Abstain from physical contact, especially hugging and shaking hands. 

e.       Use bathrooms only if absolutely necessary. 

f.     Wash hands thoroughly before and after being on Starrsville’s Campus. 

 

SERVICE TIMES / LOCATION

 

Worship starts at 11:00 a.m. in our Sanctuary.  Because seating will take some time, we would ask all our members/visitors to try to be 10-15 minutes early so that we can start the services on time.   

2.      We advise anyone who is uncomfortable coming to in-person gatherings at this time to stay at home.  We will continue offering online, streaming services for members who cannot attend, or are not yet comfortable doing so. We plan to offer worship on Facebook live at 11:00 a.m.  You can access it by going to facebook.com/StarrsvilleUMC at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. 

 


WHAT WILL WORSHIP LOOK LIKE? - WORSHIP SERVICES

 

We will provide a service of approximately 45 minutes to an hour, focusing on preaching, congregational prayer, Scripture reading, and special music. For now, we will abstain from congregational singing as it greatly increases the risk of spreading COVID-19.  

2.      Plans are being made so that we can begin taking communion again - starting in August.

3.      There will be no printed materials during our gatherings; for example, no bulletins, announcement sheets, prayer guides, etc.  Everything necessary for worship or communication purposes will be communicated through other means. 

4.      We will continue to worship together through the giving of physical tithes and offerings, but we will do so in drop-off boxes or plates that will be placed in the narthex.  We will continue to encourage our newly set up online giving, www.starrsvilleumc.org. We will not pass the offering plate during the service, but will have a time at the end of the service to pray over our offering. 

5.      The Benediction and dismissal of services will occur in an orderly fashion to try to ensure social distancing. Michael Young or another usher will direct you out pew by pew beginning in the back until everyone is reached. Please be patient when this time comes. 

 

WHAT OTHER CHANGES CAN YOU EXPECT? – AMENITIES & VOLUNTEERS  

 

We urge all people, especially leadership & volunteers, to self-monitor their temperature each week.

2.       For the time being, we will discontinue our morning breakfast and fellowship.  


3.      Touchless hand sanitizing stations will be available in multiple locations of the church building soon, we are still awaiting delivery and installation. However, hand sanitizer stations will be available at multiple locations of the church until then.   


4.      We will strive to have greeters/ushers who can assist our people in any way possible, while trying to maintain social distancing and physical contact guidelines. If you would like to volunteer to help as an usher or in any way, please reach out to us at [email protected] or call us.  


5.      Doors will be propped open when and where possible. 

 

WHAT ABOUT SUNDAY SCHOOL? – SUNDAY SCHOOL/SMALL GROUPS

 

For now, we will continue asking our Sunday School classes and small groups to host online meetings, or should they desire to meet, do so off-campus and respecting guidelines. 


2.      We highly encourage our teachers to continue teaching and discipling using whatever methods are available. We will continue to provide guidance, curriculum, further training, as is necessary. Please reach out if you would like to start a group of your own! 


  

WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN? – NURSERY

 

We will not be providing any nursery, or childcare.  We still highly encourage families with young children to attend worship as they feel comfortable.  If you don’t feel comfortable joining us in person, then please join us on facebook.com/StarrsvilleUMC.   

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