Re-Launch Update

Hey, Y’all! It is time to inform everybody of the logistics for physically gathering on July 5th.

Before I give y’all those things, here is the Session’s previous call and reminder for flexibility:

“The July 5th ‘go date’ is the strong desire of the Session, but it doesn't mean we'll meet it. Health information, technical difficulties, and a myriad amount of other things could arise that hinders this date. Will you commit to be flexible, that we might have the best reentry possible when the time comes?”

With the above (and very important) flexibility principle in mind, here are the basic logistics for physically gathering at Centennial ARP Church.

• Sanctuary doors open to general membership at 10:30 (no other doors will be unlocked)

• Deacons/Elders will escort families/individuals to be seated. Initially, there will be two empty pews in between “used” pews, and the used pews will have families/individuals appropriately distanced

• Individual pews will be dismissed one at a time by deacons/elders at the end of a service

• The general ask will be for everyone to wear masks at all times, but they will not be required except when singing. This will be frustrating for some (glasses fogging!), but overwhelming evidence points to singing without a mask as “high-risk.” If your desire is to not wear a mask but still attend, the Session and Diaconate would ask that you refrain from singing at this time.

• Offering plates will be placed in the back at exit doors

• Bulletins will be “pre-placed” on Thursday

• Bibles, hymnals, and psalters may remain in place (CDC guidelines allow us to keep them, showing the virus’ lifespan on cloth is far less than 7 days). Leadership asks that if you take these out, you replace them, too.

• No nursery or children’s church at this time

• No physical Sunday School gatherings at this time

• There will be one male/one female assigned to “keep an eye out” for any individual heading for the bathrooms (to wipe down with Clorox handles of faucets and doors)

• This set up is meant to create a “handsfree” and “safe” worship service. In other words, if you abide by what the Session and Diaconate are asking of you, you can come and worship at Centennial in as safe a way as possible.

And there you have it! That is the bird’s eye view on the logistics for gathering again. By no means do we want to quench sweet fellowship of the saints, but at the same time, we must be careful not to grow lax in our safety measures. Stay and talk with fellow believers after the worship, but do it masked up, outside, and spaced apart! May it never be that our laxity got one of our own sick!

There is so much happening behind the scenes on these things, and I would ask that each of you continue to pray for our leaders in the coming days and weeks. These are not light decisions being made! God’s blessings on each of you this week,

Jeremiah

P.S.-For those not ready to come back to a physical gathering, remember the Session’s desire from the very beginning of this—no sheep left behind. Our strong desire is to make sure you still have opportunity to worship with Centennial via live stream. We know it’s not a perfect solution, but you are no less a part of Centennial if you are not ready to physically gather yet. Let the Session’s thoughts be known!