The Preparedness Plan will be posted in common areas of the building and the office.

Staff will be in verbal or written contact with groups using the building regarding policies and will coordinate reopening with them.

WORSHIP PROTOCOLS

Before you come to worship

If you are not feeling well or experiencing symptoms of Covid 19 STAY HOME

If some in your home is experiencing symptoms of Covid 19 STAY HOME

Seniors can attend if they are comfortable with the protocols

Children can attend but mustsit with parents. At this time there are not separate activities for children during worship

Please choose to attend the 10:30 or 12:30 service but not both

The sanctuary will be open a half an hour before each service

When you come to Worship

EVERYONE IS TO WEAR MASKS (one-time use masks will be available for those without masks)

Use the Ninth Street doors only (handicapped accessible entrance is available at the courtyard entrance).

Use hand sanitizer at the door as you enter the sanctuary

Observe physical distancing of six feet between people who are not from your household

Sit only with family members in the same household in the same pew

Please fill in the registration sheets in the pew (pencils and registrations sheets will be picked up following worship)

Because singing is a higher risk activity there will not be congregational singing during services

We do encourage closed-mouth humming clapping and reciting the Lord’s Prayer

Services will be live-streamed for those unable to physically attend (planning stage)

Please use sign in sheets provided in pews (this information would be made available if the need for contact tracing would become necessary)

Worship leaders, pastors and musicians will use the upper platform and designate music area and will observe social distancing guidelines

After Worship

Following worship, participants will be excused by ushers row by row as they exit by the Wacouta Street doors only.

A retiring offering will be received, and hand sanitizer made available

We discourage unnecessary conversations in the sanctuary but encourage conversations outside the building observing physical distancing.

Restrooms may be used on main floor

Please avoid using areas in the building other than the sanctuary No one is to use the gym.

Karen and America-born ushers will be available at the entrance and exit doors to assist congregants and answer questions

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

Prior to worship in the sanctuary

Bibles and hymnbooks are to be removed from pews and stored in the balcony

Safe physical distancing indicators on pews

Signs with reminders about safe physical distancing, wearing masks and Covid symptoms will be posted at entrances and exits and throughout the building

All touchable surfaces, light switches, microphones, pulpits, music stands, and instruments, doorknobs, railings and handles are to be cleaned and sanitized. 

Bathrooms, narthexes and main floor public areas are to be sanitized following worship.

No one is to use the gym

One half hour before services

Any announcements are posted

Signs posted at the 9th St door – “Are you feeling well today? Is anyone in your home experiencing Covid 19 symptoms?”

A no-touch thermometer is available if there is any question regarding and individual’s health

Everyone is to wear a mask (masks will be made available at the door)

Everyone is to use hand sanitizer at the door

No food or water in the sanctuary

Sit only with household family members in the same pew

At the close of each service ushers will excuse people to exit using the Wacouta St doors

Following worship 

Assigned people will clean up, sanitize all touchable surface, sanitize all light switches, microphones, pulpits, music stands and instruments, door handles and railings. Clean bathrooms, narthexes and main floor public areas if needed

Possible Sunday schedules

10:00 am 9th Street doors open – Ushers available (see protocols above)

10:20 am Prelude

10:30 am Worship

11:15 am Benediction/Postlude/ushers excuse congregants 11:30 am Clean and sanitize

12:00 pm 9th St doors open

12:30 pm Worship

1:15 pm  Benediction/ushers excuse congregants 1:30 pm Clean and sanitize. 

WEDDINGS

ALL ACTIVITIES CONFINED TO THE SANCTUARY. NO RECEIVING LINES FOOD, DRINK OR MEALS IN THE CHURCH BUILDING

ALL GUESTS – Wear masks (wedding party should provide masks for guests arriving without them).

Everyone is to use the 9th Street doors to enter and exit

All are to sit in indicated pews – families only sit in same row

Observe six-foot physical distancing

No congregational singing

Ushers will excuse the congregation members row by row

Please have conversations before and afterward on the sidewalk or the courtyard

WEDDING PARTICIPANTS

Use upper platform

Nonspeaking persons should use masks

Only wedding party is allowed outside of sanctuary space

12 foot distancing for special music performances

THE AREAS USED FOR THE WEDDING NEED TO BE CLEANED AND SANITIZED THE DAY OF THE WEDDING AND FOLLOWING THE SERVICE.

WEDDING PARTY MUST ARRANGE DECORATING SCHEDULE WITH STAFF PRIOR TO WEDDING

BAPTISMS

For the foreseeable future baptisms need to take place outside.

STAFF PROTOCOLS

All leadership and staff will be informed of protocols, procedures and policies as groups begin to use the building.

Stay home if you are sick or you or family members have symptoms of Covid 19.

Check in with other staff upon entering office – How are you feeling?

If there are any health concerns – go home.

Inform all staff if you have come in contact with someone with symptoms. Stay home until a proper quarantine period has elapsed

Be clear about dates and times of contact and return to work

Use a touchless thermometer if there is any question regarding fever

PHYSICAL DISTANCING

Work from home when possible

Stagger working hours with staff in office

Observe 6 foot distancing

HYGIENE CONTROLS

Ensure that staff regularly wash hands.

Ensure that hand sanitizers are available in office and work room.

Wear face masks when working in shared spaces

Ensure that facial tissue is available

Ensure that bathrooms are regularly cleaned and sanitized

BUILDING AND VENTILATION

Our building mechanical engineer has said that we are “good to go”

Vents and been power washed and AC checked. Fans have been positioned in gym for adequate circulation

Health and safety signage will be displayed in public areas

DELIVERIES

Deliveries are received in the mail slot at the Wacouta St door.

Larger deliveries are discussed in advance with vendors and appointments made

Some deliveries are made to the Project Home door. FBC staff is in contact with Project Home CLEANING PROTOCOLS

Always have adequate cleaning and sanitizing supplies on-hand

Hand sanitizer

Disinfectant

Sanitizing wipes

Paper towels

Facial tissue

Deep cleaning in all areas of church that are used on Fridays

All touchable surfaces, light switches, microphones, pulpits, music stands, and instruments, doorknobs, railings and handles are to be cleaned and sanitized.

Bathrooms, narthexes and main floor public areas are to be cleaned and sanitized daily   and before and after events

QUESTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED

What circumstances and conditions constitute a safe time to reopen? What conditions would require a reclosing?