FELLOWSHIP UMC RE-OPENING PLAN

Our sanctuary will re-open on Sunday, October 4th for worship. We will initially only have in-person worship the first Sunday of each month, which is communion Sunday.

With much thought and prayer, the reopening committee at Fellowship UMC has compiled the protocols necessary to resume worship within the Fellowship Church building. The guidelines from Governor Murphy’s directive and those of our GNJ Conference have been researched and incorporated into the following plan.

THIS PLAN IS NOT DESIGNED TO MAKE ANYONE FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE.

IF YOU DO NOT FEEL SAFE WITH LEAVING YOUR HOME TO WORSHIP,

IT IS OKAY TO STAY AT HOME.

OPTIONS FOR ONLINE WORSHIP WILL CONTINUE.

IF ANYONE IN THE CONGREGATIONS GETS COVID-19, INFORM PASTORS AYN OR SHELLIE.

Gathering size

100 People, as directed by CDC and State Guidelines

Entering

A designated person will meet you at the entrance to the church. We will be using only one door (entrance to Sanctuary) which will remain open. Your name will be taken (for tracing purposes, if needed). Your temperature will be taken. There will be multiple sanitizing stations for you to use before you are directed to your seat.

Social Distance

1. Masks must be worn by the congregation at ALL TIMES. Exceptions are made for Pastors Ayn, Shellie, Sandy, & Jeff Wienand while they are distanced on the altar area.

2. Social Distancing Signs are posted.

3. 6 feet of distance between each person (and family unit) must be maintained while entering and exiting the building; while sitting/standing within the building; this includes no hugging, no handshakes, or physical passing of the peace.

Human Contact

1. No Bulletins/paper, hymnals or bibles are to come into the Sanctuary. Everything will be posted on screen.

2. Offering plates will not be passed. There will be jars in the back to drop your offerings into.

3. On Communion Sunday, prepackaged elements will be placed on a table. In the communion line, parishioners will wait 6ft apart and approach the table when the previous person has left.

4. There will be 2 trash cans at the back of the church. As you are leaving, please drop your trash in the can.

Bathroom

Only the handicapped bathroom will be used. There will be sanitizing wipes for touching the handles of toilet and sink. Each person must adhere to as little touching of surfaces as possible.

Music

The choir will not be able to gather and sing. The congregation will not sing (humming along would be lovely). Jeff, our worship leader, will sing solo from the altar area.

Cleaning

Surfaces and common areas will be maintained to include door handles, light switches, and rails.

Please Note the following

1. No nursery or Children’s church. If children attend, they will stay with their parents. Mr. Steve will lead the children with a videotaped message.

2. No social hour, no coffee, no flowers.

3. One person will be responsible for opening and closing the building. (Rich W.)

4. One person will sanitize after each service. (Steve M.)

5. No one is to enter the administrative offices.

Updates will occur as COVID-19 ebbs and flows