September 23, 2021 version

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Cross Roads Be in Christ Church
COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan

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In-person gatherings for prayer, worship and social connection are permitted within certain conditions, as described by the Government of Ontario and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.  Cross Roads Be in Christ Church desires to prioritize the safety of our congregation and community by respecting government and public health guidelines while gathering for times of in-person worship and small groups.

Attendance Limits for worship services:
Worship service attendance will be limited to permit 2 metres physical distancing between individuals / household units.
Screening
All individuals, including children, will be asked to self-screen for COVID-19 like symptoms prior to arrival.
Attendance at worship gatherings or other events will be recorded for contact tracing purposes.
 

We will deny entry to any individual who:
*Has COVID-19 like symptoms
*Has come in close contact with a person with symptoms of COVID-19 or who has come in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, in the past 14 days.
*Has travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days
A COVID-19 self-screening poster will be posted at the entrance door.

 

Registration
We will require pre-registration for services and events to ensure gathering limits are maintained.  
If guests arrive who have not pre-registered, we will allow entry only if pre-registration has not surpassed our registration capacity and they screen for COVID-19 symptoms. 
We will keep attendance lists for contact tracing purposes.   These lists may be destroyed after 30 days.

 

Pre-and Post-service Socialization:
The preferred location for socialization will be outside the building in a way that respects physical distancing (2 meters apart).  
Socialization in the church will be permitted but physical distancing should be maintained.
Signs will be posted requiring physical distancing

Flow and physical distancing while in the building
Both the main entrance and the accessible entrance will be available to enter and exit the building.  
The coat racks will not be used.  People will be encouraged to bring their personal belongings with them to their seat in the sanctuary or leave them in their vehicles.
 

Entry and exit procedures and timing
Those involved in service leadership may enter prior to the service for rehearsal / set up while adhering to all health and safety requirements
Service or event attendees are encouraged to arrive no more than 15 minutes prior to the start of the event.
 

Hand Hygiene
Hand sanitizer will be provided at the entrance with a sign requiring each person to use it upon entry
Soap and water and signage instructing about proper hand washing will be in the washrooms.
 

Masks
By order of Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health non-medical face masks will be required during indoor worship services and public gatherings inside the church (unless where someone is exempt from wearing a mask under public health regulations).
When the church building is not open to the public and is being used in the capacity of a workplace, masks are not required when 2 metres physical distancing can be maintained as per government of Ontario masks in the workplace regulations. (Examples include: staff working in separate offices / work spaces, physically distanced staff or volunteer leadership meetings).
Masks are not mandatory outdoors when 2 metres physical distancing can be maintained.
Face shields are not a substitute for a mask, but may be used in addition to a mask if desired
Disposable masks will be provided for those who have forgotten to bring their own
People are encouraged to launder their masks regularly and bring a clean mask for use at the service.

 

Vaccination
Full COVID-19 vaccination will be required for staff and volunteers working with children and youth.
The personal space of our home church hosts will be respected.  In their homes, hosts will be free to request that all in person attendees are vaccinated.  Whether vaccination is required or not for group participation will be clearly communicated to group participants so they will be aware and can make informed personal decisions about attendance.
Full COVID-19 vaccination is encouraged (but at this time not required) for attendance at worship services.
 

Seating arrangements in the sanctuary
Seating for Sunday worship will be individual or in small family / household clusters physically distanced by 2 meters from other clusters
Seating may be assigned based on pre-registration.  Or if registration is lower people may choose their own seats.
The number of individuals per-service will vary based on household cluster numbers and physical distancing requirements.

 

Addressing capacity limitations
The foyer and basement offer secondary seating locations that may be utilized if need arises.
Tech team / sound booth protocols
Tech team members will be physically distanced as much as possible
Masks will be required at all times especially if physical distancing is not possible
Equipment should not be shared in one service and should be disinfected after / before use or left to quarantine for a minimum of 72 hours.
 

Worship Team / on stage protocols
Those involved in indoor, on-stage elements of a live service are required to wear a mask unless they are actively speaking / singing (as permitted by public health regulations)
The stage should be set up in a way that respects 2 meters physical distancing between non-family / household members
Microphones should not be shared in one service and should be disinfected after use or left to quarantine for a minimum of 72 hours.
 

Baptism / Dedications
Baptisms and dedications may proceed but will be modified to comply with physical distancing and mask requirements
 

Weddings / Funerals
Cross Roads’ pastors will officiate at weddings and funerals providing attendance limitations are respected and public health guidelines are followed
Cross Roads facility may be used for weddings and funerals if attendance limitations are maintained, support is provided to maintain physical distancing among guests, and cleaning costs are covered.  
 

Singing
Indoor singing is permitted by the worship team and congregation.  Worship team members are not required to wear a mask when singing but must maintain a minimum of 2 metres physical distance from others when doing so.  Congregational participants must wear a mask when singing.
Outdoor singing will be permitted if participants practice physical distancing.
 

Communion and Worship Aids
Communion will only be participated in if people bring their own elements from home or with individual pre-packaged communion elements.
Worship aids such as hymn books will not be used.  Readings, song lyrics etc. will be either projected or printed on a song sheet that is for individual use only and will be discarded after the service
 

Offering
Passing of the offering plate will be suspended.  An offering box or basket will be available for cash or cheque donations.
We will encourage online giving yet still accept physical donations of cash and cheques in the offering box / basket or by mail.
Tellers will practice good hand hygiene during the counting of the offering and must wear a mask if they are counting with a second teller.  Disposable gloves will be available if desired.
 

Coffee / Refreshments, and meals
Before service coffee and potlucks will be on hold until further notice
Outdoor events with shared food are permitted with the following guidelines:
-food is to be purchased, pre-packaged, or prepared by a pre-approved individual or team (no potlucks)
-food is to be served by approved volunteers whenever possible
-masks are to be worn in the food line and by food servers
-when shared serving utensils, condiments, beverage containers etc. are used people are to sanitize their hands before use
-physical distancing is to be maintained while in line to get food and when eating
People may bring their own food or beverage that is not shared with others outside their household and may temporarily remove / lower their masks to consume indoors

 

Online Worship Option
Online Sunday worship will continue to be made available.  We want all people to feel included and have the opportunity to worship with us.  Returning to in-person gathering is a personal decision that should only be made when each person is ready.

 

Children’s Ministry
We anticipate our regular, Sunday morning, in-person children’s ministry will be on hold until at least January 2021.
Full COVID-19 vaccination will be required for staff and volunteers.
Parents are encouraged to bring children to worship services and events if they are able to maintain physical distancing and follow other health and safety protocols.
Special children’s / family events may occur with church approval and adherence to public health protocols.
 

Youth Ministry
Youth may meet online or in person outdoors or indoors adhering to social gatherings limits and regulations.
Meeting plans must be reviewed and approved by the lead pastor.  
Masks are required for all youth in person gatherings indoors and outdoors when there is the possibility that 2 metres physical distancing may not be maintained.  
Pre-Registration and self-screening for COVID-19 like symptoms will be required for in person gatherings.
Full COVID-19 vaccination will be required for staff and volunteers.
 

Small Groups and Social Gatherings
Small groups and social gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 25 participants indoors or 100 people outdoors provided physical distancing can be maintained.  
Small group participants will pre-register for the group (once) and will agree to self-screen for COVID-19 like symptoms before attending any meeting
Groups may meet indoors or outdoors at the church or in private homes.  Meeting location and arrangement must be approved by the pastor.
A meeting attendance list will be maintained
Food and beverages may be served if done so in compliance to public health and Cross Roads policies
Participants should not attend a small group if they:
*Have COVID-19 symptoms
*Have come in close contact with a person with symptoms of COVID-19 or who has come in close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19, in the past 14 days.
*Have travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days
The personal space of our home church hosts will be respected.  In their homes, hosts will be free to request that all in person attendees are vaccinated.  Whether vaccination is required or not for group participation will be clearly communicated to group participants so they will be aware and can make informed personal decisions about attendance.
 

Access to additional Rooms
The nursery will only be available to parents / caregivers of young children for diaper changing and feeding only

 

Washroom usage
The washrooms will be available for use
Signage about public health requirements and hand hygiene will be posted
Washroom facilities will be disinfected between services / events and not after each individual use. 

 

Cleaning of church surfaces
The church will be deep cleaned weekly by the custodian using cleaners with an 8-digit Drug Identification Number recommended by the Ontario government and public health
If a small group meets before or after the weekly deep cleaning of the church, they will be responsible to appoint a cleaning volunteer(s) to disinfect high touch surfaces after the event.
Cleaning volunteers must follow the written instructions provided and if they are unclear ask for direction from the custodian or pastor.
Chairs that have been used will be left to quarantine for at least 72 hours before being used again.
The sanctuary chairs will be marked with coloured tape to allow them to be quarantined and rotated between groups using the church building.  Chairs will be rotated if less than 72 hours separates group use of the building.
 

Rental / Non-Church Use of the Church Facility
The church may be rented / used by non-church groups provided COVID-19 health and safety regulations are followed, supervision arrangements are in place, and a cleaning plan has been approved.
All rentals / facility use bookings must be approved by the Lead Pastor.
People are able to meet outdoors on the grounds
 

Should someone develop COVID-19 like symptoms while at the Church
If anyone develops even one symptom of COVID-19 during the service or meeting they should leave the church immediately and self-isolate.  It is also advised they visit an assessment centre to be tested for COVID-19 and follow all guidance and direction from their local public health department.