Dear Grace Lutheran Church members:

Provincial and local Health Unit directives have recently announced that churches are now permitted to conduct services with 30% occupancy and the wearing of facial masks are now mandatory. The reduced capacity would allow us to continue with our average attendance for regular Sunday Services. We also must continue to maintain physical distancing of two metres or six feet as much as possible. Extra precaution will also be carried out in the cleaning and disinfecting of high traffic surfaces such as door handles, hand rails, and washroom areas.

It is also important to note that the Huron Perth Health Unit has cautioned that our older adults especially over 70 years of age are at a greater risk of severe illness from the Covid-19 virus and are cautioned to avoid other groups of people. The Health Unit’s main message is to maintain the 6 feet physical distancing as the best precaution. As you can see from the partial list of changes below, we have your well being first and foremost in mind. We also understand that despite all our efforts we cannot be 100% sure of a 0% spread of the virus. Please keep this in mind when deciding to attend.

Council is asking for your help in keeping us all safe by reviewing the following points for attending Services:

Protective Masks

It is mandatory that all persons attending a service wear a protective mask over mouth and nose. We encourage you to bring your own cloth mask or covering, however a limited supply of masks will be available at the church. (small children and persons with medical reason preventing the wearing of a mask are exempt-please respect all others)

Feeling Ill

Do not attend service if you are not feeling well or have had flu like symptoms in the past week.

Hand Sanitizer

It is mandatory that you make use of the provided hand sanitizer as you enter the church and avoid touching surfaces as much as possible.

Seating

Follow the directions of the ushers for seating. We have every second row of pews blocked off and ask that household members or expanded social members sit together and then maintain a safe physical distance to persons not in your group. We will be using both ends of the pews for seating and working towards the middle.

Hymnals and Singing

Hymnals and Bibles and other items have been removed from the pews. Please follow along on the TV screen. We have been instructed to avoid the singing of hymns, however reciting of verse and prayer is encouraged and the hymn music will still be played. The supply of seat cushions and children supplies have also been removed but feel free to bring your own.

Elevators and Washrooms

The elevator will be in operation as usual and the family washroom will be available downstairs for emergency use. The rest of the downstairs area will be closed.

Dismissal

To ensure an orderly dismissal after service, the Pastor will direct each row to exit. Please follow his instructions and we ask that you vacate the area in front of the church so we all can maintain physical distancing. We also ask that you avoid shaking hands with others.

Service Length

The length of the service will be approximately 40 minutes. This will lessen the time together and hopefully the need for washroom usage.

Collection of Tithes and Offerings

The collection plate will not be passed around as was previous practice. The collection plate will be placed near the back of the church for that purpose. We encourage you to use the other methods to make your financial contribution to the church include mailing a cheque, drop off cheque in locked box at church office entry way, electronic transfer, or automatic weekly/ monthly withdraws.

Alternatives for those not attending services

The pastor will still record the sermon and it will be available online each Sunday morning. CD copies are also available by request. We are making provisions to also record the service and have that available from our website. If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to contact the pastor or the church office. Together, with God’s help and love, we will get through these troubling and trying times.

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