We are looking forward to the time when we can worship together again as we used to. We understand that these COVID-19 conditions and restrictions will change, and we will be able to meet once it is safe to do so. We are extremely concerned about the safety of our members, and we will only open-up when we believe that the conditions are reasonably safe.
To be clear, we have not set a date for opening-up. But what follows are the conditions, and manner in which we will start the opening-up process.
Criteria
To start the phased approach to opening up we want:
The Florida Conference of SDA and
The Federal Government and
State Government and
County Commissioners to agree that churches can start reopening
AND
Two full weeks must elapse between the permission to open and us restarting.
The Disaster Committee will give final approval for phased reopening to commence.
Phased Reopening
Phase 1
Once all the above criteria are met we will start reopening by:
Three Sabbath services: 8 AM, 11 AM & 5 PM. All services will be identical.
The 11 AM will be live-streamed
Maximum occupancy will be 100 audience members. (Or whatever lower number is mandated) Admission will be first-come, first-served. We will turn people away and reserve their entry for the next service.
Seating will be restricted to every third row. Deacons/ushers will direct people to their seats. Family groups must sit together.
Entry to the church will ONLY be via the North entrance carport.
Temperatures will be taken prior to admission. Anyone with a raised temperature will not be admitted.
If, within the past two weeks, you have travelled to an infection hotspot then you are asked not to attend church, but self-isolate.
Those who consider themselves at risk are advised to stay at home and participate via our online programming.
A mask has to be worn at all times whilst on church premises. No mask – no admission. An exception is made for those speaking from the pulpit as a part of worship, they do not have to wear their mask while speaking from the pulpit. Please bring your own mask.
Exiting from the building will be via the Fellowship Hall exit doors. Occupants will be ushered out of the sanctuary after service.
The bathrooms will be restricted to two persons per bathroom. This will be monitored by the deacons/deaconesses.
There will be no socializing after church, no fellowship lunch.
The deacons and deaconesses will sanitize surfaces between services.
There will be no attendance at the 9:45 -10:45 AM Sabbath School. Members are encouraged to go home (stay at home) and participate with their Sabbath School online.
Prayer Meeting will recommence the Wednesday after our first phased reopening, with just one service at 6 PM in the sanctuary. It will be live-streamed. The restrictions for Prayer Meeting are the same as for Sabbath worship services.
Phase 2
Information regarding this and subsequent phases will be released at a later date.
Tighter restrictions may be reimposed if deemed necessary.
Different or additional restrictions may be implemented than what has been outlined. The most accurate information will be posted on the website www.discoverjesus.org
No date has been set for our phased reopening to commence.
Thank you for your patience. Let us continue to pray for God’s continued protection and mercy.