January 5, 2022 version

 

Cross Roads Be in Christ Church

COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan

 

 

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 Indoor worship services:

• Worship service attendance will be limited to those directly involved in the worship service plus an additional 10 attendees.  Physical distancing between non-household members must be maintained.   As per Ontario regulations, religious service attendance will not exceed 50% of room capacity. 

 

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.

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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 will be retained for at least 30 days.

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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

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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. 

 

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).

• 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

• People are asked to sit with their family / household unit and physically distance from others.

• 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 numbers and physical distancing requirements.

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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

• 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

• The Cross Roads’ facility may be used for weddings and funerals if attendance regulations 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, potlucks, and serving of food or beverages will be on hold until further notice

• 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.

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Children’s Ministry

• In-person children’s ministry or activities will be paused until further notice.

• Online ministry or connecting with at home lessons, projects, or materials is encouraged.

• Full COVID-19 vaccination will be required for staff and volunteers participating with in person children’s ministry or activities.

 

Youth Ministry

• Youth group will meet online only until further notice.

• Full COVID-19 vaccination is required for staff and volunteers working with in person youth ministry.

 

Small Groups and Social Gatherings

• In-person small groups and social gatherings are paused until further notice. 

• Individuals and groups are encouraged to meet online.

 

Access to additional Rooms

• The nursery will 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.

 

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.

• If the church building is rented for a non-faith-based purpose the renters must adhere to all Government of Ontario COVID-19 regulations including applicable vaccine requirements.  When proof of vaccination is required, the renters must also provide evidence that proper validation of vaccination is being practiced.

• All rentals / facility use bookings must be approved by the Lead Pastor and or the church board.

• 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 follow all guidance and direction from their local public health department.

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