The Ontario government announced that the masking requirement for vulnerable settings would be extended to June 11th. Listening to many concerns in our congregation as well as this extension of the masking requirements, we want to assure you that we are extending our own masking requirement for worship and singing as well.
Please note that our expanded distancing section is also still in place. We encourage you to sit in the part of the sanctuary where every other pew is roped off if you wish to distance – and not to sit near anyone else who is seated in this section.
The Covid response team held its final meeting on Thursday, March 17 – just over two years after it was first formed by Council. We know that many people in our congregation are in different places with covid. Some are ready for no restrictions, others wish restrictions would ease out more gradually, while others still remain very cautious. As a community of faith we are invited to care for one another, and to make our physical space as welcoming to everyone as possible at the same time that we recognize we are entering a new phase of this pandemic.
NEW SUNDAY MARCH 20TH: Singing during worship begins Distancing encouraged but no longer required – we will have a distancing section Signing in no longer required
Continued guidance: Vaccination and boosting encouraged Distancing encouraged Please worship from home if you feel unwell We encourage individual responsibility: do what is needed to feel safe
Masking Update: Masking required in the building until April 4th (2 weeks after March Break ends) Masking required for worship and singing indoors until April 27th (when all mask requirements are lifted) Once requirements are lifted, masks are strongly recommended
Church Building Hours: The church building will be open from 9-11am on Tuesdays and Fridays Once our internet is more reliable, we will increase the hours
Here is a little more on what it will be like attending worship in-person in the coming weeks:
When you arrive, you will not need to show proof of vaccination or sign in when you enter – but please remember to don your mask before stepping into the building. You can choose to hang up your coat or to keep it with you – we will continue to try to keep some windows open to increase air circulation.
For those who want to continue distancing, you will see a section of the sanctuary has pews with ribbons marking off every other pew. If you sit in this section, you will signal that you would like to continue distancing and will not have to repeat this to anyone. If you have been looking forward to sitting near friends, please sit in pews that do not have ribbons marking off every other pew.
During our worship service, you are invited to stand (as you are able) and sing for our hymns.
Following the service, you are invited to move around and chat with people in the pews while remaining masked, or to exit and chat outside the church, with or without masks.
A note for choir members and those who look forward to hearing our choir in person: our choir is also looking forward to returning to church. At present, choir members are invited to sit with the congregation for hymns, and then after the Easter anthems are recorded, the choir will begin rehearsing for live congregational singing in mid-April.
Thank You for your support!
Any questions? Please ask Emily Gordon if you would like more details about the decisions of the final Covid response team meeting.
Our monthly In the Wild gathering will be at 9am on February 20th on the church lawn. Wear a mask and come dressed and ready to Celebrate Snow!
On February 20th at 10:30am our theme is “Love my enemy?” Our music will include the anthem “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and our piano prelude will be Oscar Peterson’s Hymn to Freedom.
We look forward to worshiping with you, in-person, on Zoom, or on YouTube starting this Sunday.
Important COVID Team NEWS:
Many restrictions are being lifted in Ontario. The Covid-19 team has met this week to review these as they apply to our Church.The decision was made to commence In-person worship on Sunday, February 20th.Please note the following:
Proof of vaccination is required
Masking is required (Please note that the use of N95 masks is encouraged)
Socially distanced at all times
More details about In-Person Worship:
It’s been a couple of months since we had an in-person worship option, so here is a more detailed reminder of our guidelines.
Please follow these guidelines for in-person worship in order to keep the experience as COVID safe as possible:
· If you are attending in-person worship and 12-years-old or older, you must show proof of vaccination at the door every time or have a medical exemption (you must speak to Emily Gordon in advance about a medical exemption).
· If you have any COVID symptoms, have had contact with a known COVID case, or are waiting for the results of a COVID test you must stay and worship at home. If you are not well for any reason, please stay and join us virtually.
· Wear a mask at all times while in the church.
· Please arrive 10-15 minutes before the service to show proof of vaccination, complete Sign-in/Wellness form and find your seat.
· Use provided hand sanitizer.
· If needed, pick up a headset at the Sign-in table.
· Maintain social distancing from those not in your bubble, whenever possible. You may use coats placed on the pews to help maintain distancing. Please do not sit in the front rows, since there must be at least 2 metres from our choir leads.
· To provide one-way directional movement everyone: Use Main Millwood Rd ramp/entrance to enter, then exit pew by pew via the McRae Dr doors (unless an elevator is required located at the Millwood Rd Entrance).
· During in-person worship, please remain seated during hymns and do not sing, but if you would like please hum.
· If you wish to speak to other attendees, you are invited to exit the building first, and do so on the lawn.
· Children and youth are welcome to attend and stay with their family during the service. Children may borrow books or colouring materials to use during the service from the children’s area, and one family may choose to use the children’s area rather than being seated in the pews. We encourage full vaccination for all children ages 5-11.
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