First Baptist Church’s Five-Stage COVID-19 Response Plan
STAGE THREE
FBC’s Stage 3 is ahead of us, tentatively May 22, 2020 to June 11, 2020. Only very minor changes to FBC’s Stage 2 and the emphasis is still on keeping everyone safe as we take steps toward the next stage.
DURING STAGE THREE:
- Building closed to all activities except for essential leadership & staff functioning and community partnership to bring thriving to our community. Additional exception is that use of building is now available by appointment only and for limited usage by FBC ministries, events, and activities. Any leader or member who would like to do anything in the building must coordinate with the pastors before any planning or advertising of the event. CDC protocols are to be followed. No outside group usage unless approved by the staff and in continued partnership to bring thriving to our community in the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Staff can still work remotely, but are invited to come back to the office following all CDC protocols. Volunteers who work in office space to assist with day to day operations must be approved by the Office Director in conjunction with general guidelines.
- Online services are still recommended as the preferred way to gather on Sunday morning. In this stage, we ask the following requests and restraints, in conjunction with general guidelines:
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- If you consider attending, please meet all recommended health requirements to do so. Please do not come if you are sick or have been exposed to a person who has been recently sick. According to the CDC, a person must be fever-free for 72 hours and be 10 days past the first appearance of symptoms to no longer be considered contagious.
- Those who attend are required to wear a mask. You will be directly asked to put one on when you arrive. Our only exception is when someone is up front leading, singing, or communicating, but even those people will wear one during other parts of the service. CDC states that singing produces the same projection of germs as coughing. Families with children who are age 2 and under should consider whether to attend or not since the CDC says it is not safe for children under the age of 2 to wear a mask.
- All people are asked to use the hand sanitizing station upon walking in.
- Those who attend will be asked and directed to sit every other pew with 6’ between any non-household member. Please do not put someone in an awkward situation by sitting next to them, even if that is where you “always” sit. Be flexible and find a safe place to sit and respect people’s boundaries. Please don’t put us in the awkward situation of having to ask you to move.
- Those who attend are invited to drop their offering in a basket in the back. No passing of plate.
- If a communion service arises during Stage 3, those who attend will be provided a self-contained communion packet upon entering (a table set up in back of worship center with them laid out).
- Bulletins will be provided in service and set on a table set up in the back of the worship center for people to pick up. Still no ushers to hand them out in this stage.
- There will be no neighborhood time and people are asked to respect one another’s personal space regardless of how they personally feel about the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Indoor playground is closed and we ask people to respect one another’s space.
- Friendly faces and greeters are invited in the Gathering Area again, but still no handshaking or hugs. Still no one at doors to allow people to have space to walk through.
- A volunteer at the “Start Here” and Children’s Area sign in desk to answer questions.
- Doors open at 10 am, no Sunday School classes, no youth or children programs, no coffee or refreshments, no water fountain usage, no access to other areas, and no valet car services.
- The main and family bathrooms are available.
- The church doors will be closing 15 minutes following dismissal of the service.