We are excited to begin re-opening our church facilities for Worship on Sundays.
We will continue to have LIVE streaming for both our 9AM and 11AM services on Facebook Live and then uploading it to this site afterward.
In order to love our neighbor and keep persons who enter our facilities safe, we ask that you help us implement the following guidelines when you return:
Goals of Re-Opening Davie UMC for Worship on 6/21/20
Church and staff are in compliance with state/local orders regarding distancing, gathering & sanitation including the ability to sanitize common areas before, during, and after worship.
The church is properly staffed with the trained volunteers/lay people necessary to regulate and enforce state/local orders regarding distancing, gathering & sanitation including: seating, mask wearing, bathroom occupancy, opening/closing doors, parking.
The church can provide reasonable accommodation to allow for comfortable worship while still complying to social distancing requirements.
The church has a clear, proactive communication strategy to ensure congregants are aware of current practices and safety/wellness protocols using email, website, social media and signage at the church.
The church has a dedicated team which reviews the church’s compliance to state/local protocols and agrees upon any necessary exceptions.
The church will have multiple services to reduce the number congregants in each service. We will also offer drive in and online services for those that do not feel safe to come inside the church.
Who Should Attend In-Person Worship Services?
People who are well (no recent contact with infected persons, not exhibiting flu-like symptoms).
Clergy, worship team (technical and performing), ushers/lay leaders.
People who cannot attend online.
People who feel it is the right time for their family and feel comfortable inside the church.
Guidlines for Safe In-Person Worship
Attendance Register
Goal: Prevent sharing germs via physical items passed from person to person
No physical attendance pads will be used.
Have usher/greeter fill out attendance register as people enter through verbal conversation.
Pew Paraphernalia
Goal: Prevent germ sharing and germs that stay on surfaces for longer
We will remove all individual items in pews (Bibles, hymnal, pens/pencils, offering envelopes, attendance registers)
All liturgy, announcements and lyrics will be on our existing video screens.
We will encourage the congregation to bringing personal bibles/hymnals.
We will discontinue bulletins at this time.
A/V Equipment
Goal: Prevent germ sharing and germs that stay on surfaces for longer
Sanitize all microphones and musical instruments/stands before and after each service
Identify microphones to be used by single individuals, no shared microphones, music stands, etc.
Keep all musicians/liturgists/clergy 6 feet apart during all moments of the service.
Ceremonies
Goal: Honor traditions while keeping everyone safe
Baptisms, weddings, funerals, should all be postponed during this time.
Communion
Goal: Prevent spread of germs through food, passed elements, etc.
We will use individual pre-packaged elements handed out as people enter worship venue passed out by individual who are wearing gloves and using tongs.
We will offer a blessing/prayer for those who do not choose to receive communion during this time.
Entry & Exit
Goal: Control pathways, prevent traffic jams, ensure everyone entering worship space has used precautions
We will have entry to the church organized by 6 ft line up ques with the doors open.
All attendees and those serving in the worship will have their temperature checked as they enter.
We will then sit family units together every other pew 6 feet apart.
We will have hand sanitizer at entries and exits.
Single entry point, with clearly marked exits: The Narthex will be the entry point at the beginning of worship with no exit. The side doors at the front of the Sanctuary will be the only exits until the end of worship.
At the end of the service we will dismiss the congregation by row so that there will be no bottlenecks at exits.
Food & Beverage
Goal: Prevent germ sharing and germs that stay on surfaces for longer
All food and beverages will be discontinued until further notice.
Interpersonal Interaction
Goal: Prevent airborne droplets of potential germs
We will discontinue any hand holding, passing of the peace, hand shaking, etc. Instead, encourage another way to greet each other at a distance through waving and saying hello.
Offering
Goal: Prevent sharing germs via physical items passed from person to person
We will have centrally-located collection units at exits.
We will offer prayers and announcements that specifically mentions online offering to honor & encourage online giving
Singing/Spoken Liturgy
Goal: Prevent airborne droplets of potential germs that linger in the air
The Choir will on hiatus until at least the fall.
Masks will be mandatory for everyone.
We will limit congregational singing by not putting up words to the music. Songs will be sung but as anthems not as Hymns.
Surfaces
Goal: Prevent germ sharing and germs that stay on surfaces for longer
All surfaces people come into contact with -seating, doors, etc. will be sanitized and wiped down before and after each service.
Bathrooms
Goal: Prevent germ sharing and germs that stay on surfaces for longer
There will be bathroom attendants at each bathroom with the office bathroom locked.
There will be a controlled line with only one person able to enter the bathroom at time. The line will have 6 ft separation.
All surfaces people come into contact with such as toilets, sinks, doors, etc. will be sanitized and wiped down between each person.
Nursery
Goal: Prevent germ sharing and germs that stay on surfaces for longer
The nursery attendant will wear a mask at all times.
All surfaces people come into contact with such as toilets, sinks, doors, etc. will be sanitized and wiped down before and after each service.
Volunteer Roles
Goal: Show volunteers they are valued while you are keeping them safe
We will create new roles and change roles for those ushers and greeters who may be in higher-risk category.
There will be a sanitation team to keep things clean.
We will do temperature checks for all staff and volunteers.
Contact List
Goal: Keep a list of all attendees so that if someone infected after the service we can notify everyone else
Ask all attendees to notify us if they get infected after the event