July 2020 Peace-Tohickon Evangelical Lutheran Church 100 Old Bethlehem Road, Perkasie, Pa 18944
(215) 257-3294 Website: www.peace-tohickon.org
Email: [email protected]
Dear Members of Peace: This morning I led worship, and preached from my kitchen table for the sixteenth week. It has been an interesting, and on occasion, difficult experience. But, one that we navigated together. We learned and grew and discovered that church isn’t a place we go to, but rather an experience we live. Sixteen weeks on Zoom, plus the first week when we hadn’t figured Zoom out. It really doesn’t seem possible does it? And now, here we are on the brink of gathering together in person again. Oh, for sure, things will be different. Masks will be required. Hand sanitizer will be in generous supply and should be used unsparingly. We will be social distancing in marked pews, so your view may be a bit different than usual. There won’t be any communal singing (and that may be the hardest change for most of us). No coffee hour and indoor fellowship. And we will be live-streaming the service for those who are unable, or unwilling, to join us at this time. We will not be returning to ‘normal’ but we will be returning to our worship space. There have been so many disciples who have gone above and beyond to help our community feel connected. I can’t possibly name them all with running the risk of accidently leaving someone out. But, you all know who you are. The Zoom gurus who helped me find my way through that new technology. Those who provided music to enhance our worship. The team who digested the guidelines and requirements we needed to meet so we could open as safely as possible. Those who stepped up every week to help lead worship by adding their voices so worship wouldn’t be a monologue of, and by, one. Those who ventured out to work in the garden, and to keep our sanctuary safe and clean. To the team that has taken on the care of the labyrinth. I have received several texts and emails from people who have been using that space and found it to be calming and spiritually renewing. To those who changed our paraments and ordered supplies. And to those who made sure that folks who didn’t have access to a computer or the internet were able to receive copies of the bulletin and sermons. There are so many more who stepped up to fill a need when they saw it. No one could ever have predicted what the last five months were going to be like. And, not one of us could have possibly been prepared for that journey. And yet, we made it. We worshiped, studied God’s word. Held meetings. Gathered socially. And carried on in the name of our Savior. Next week, July 12th, we’ll begin the next leg of the journey. We will be following all guidelines set forth by the CDC and the State of Pennsylvania. And we’ll be learning as we go. Not one of us has ever done any of this before, so bear with us. We will learn together. Many aspects of our worship time together will be different and may even feel a bit foreign to us. But, one thing has not, and never will, change. We worship in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. No matter where, or how, or when. Thanks be to God. Let’s go forth in his name as a confessing community. No longer from our kitchen tables and family room sofas, but gathered in our worship space again. Pastor Dayle Malloy
Good day to all of Peace-Tohickon Church.
July is upon us and there is much to do. At the June meeting, Council has voted and approved, upon entering the green phase in Bucks county to re-open our church on July 12th.
With this re-opening, we are taking a step to return and move forward in our mission to share and spread the word of God with each other and those in our community. At times of uncertainty the church is a source of comfort and support to those who are in need. This role is something we cannot forget is an essential service.
What does our re-opened church look like? To help all in our congregation be informed, a copy of safety protocols has been sent by email (or by USPS regular mail in some cases) and attached at the end of this newsletter to reach all members listed in our directory. If you know of someone who does not have email or has not received a copy by mail, please print and deliver a copy to them. It would also help to update their information in the church office, so they can be reached when needed. The protocols outline how service will be run. How social distancing will be handled. How cleaning will be handled. And what is expected of each of us as we enter, worship, and leave the building. Council understands we will not all like the rules or how things are done. The protocols were developed with great thought and care. We ask for your kindness and understanding, that everything done is for the safety of all and to attempt to hold the best worship service we can under the circumstances.
Another new aspect of our church will be live service internet streaming. Council is working diligently to have the system up and running in short order and we hope to be live as we hold our first worship service back on July 12th. The streaming will enable those that are not yet ready or are not able to come in person to still join our family. The system will be linked directly to our website home page at www.Peace-Tohickon.org, greatly simplifying connecting to the service. We will be posting signs at our church that indicate live streaming will be in progress and entering the building is your understanding and consent to participate in the live stream event.
It is a time of great responsibility by each of us to be safe while making efforts to bring the joy and fellowship to all in need now and every day.
May God bless you & Peace in all of our efforts.
Doug Erney, Church Council President
Summer Worship Services at Peace
Our summer service will begin at 9:00 a.m. and include weekly communion, similar to what our early service does now. There will be an occasional special worship song or instrumental number. Sunday school and confirmation classes will take a break for the summer months and resume again in September, as well as our New Spirit worship services.
This schedule will run from July 12th through Labor Day Weekend. Worship will be on-site and via live stream from our website at www.peace-tohickon.org Please invite family, friends and neighbors to join us when they are ready. All are welcome at Peace.
Thank You For Your Support A special thank you to the Peace congregation for your recent donations to the ELCA: $85 - Designated ‘Where Needed Most’ $20 - Designated ‘Where Needed Most’ $46.50 - Lutheran Disaster Response $29.75 - ELCA Global Mission Your support is appreciated. (Thank you letters dated 6/2/20 & 6/23/20)
Congratulations 2020 Graduate James Dages
James Dages – ACS Certified Degree in Chemistry & Concentration in Material Science, a Minor in Physics, a Certificate in Nanoengineering & related areas in Math & Music From the University of Pittsburgh on April 26th, 2020 with Honors WOW, James! Very Impressive … Way to go!
Congratulations to Jillian Dages our 2020 Peace Scholarship Fund Recipient
Jillian Dages was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Peace-Tohickon Lutheran Church’s Scholarship Fund to further her pursuit of a double degree in special education and early childhood education (PreK-4) at West Chester University. Jillian wants to be a teacher. Best of luck to you, Jillian! We’re proud of all of your accomplishments thus far, including your participation in the Golden Rams Marching Band. Keep up the good work!
Happy Birthday! to our Senior Member over the age of 80: Grace Nicolino - July 8th
Wishing you a joyous birthday and well wishes for all of 2020!
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Hope you all had a festive July 4th holiday helping our nation to celebrate its Independence Day.
May God Bless America!
Peace & Pennridge Little League: Play Ball ! Peace Lutheran Church has sponsored a Perkasie Little League AAA baseball team this year. We are the Florida Gators and Peace’s name is on the back of the kids’ jerseys and visible for all to see. Go Gators, play ball!
Below is a game schedule for anyone who would like to cheer on our sponsored youth team. Since we are practicing social distancing, spectators must bring their own chairs or blanket and sit along the outside of the outfield fence at the PLL Majors Baseball Complex on South Walnut Street in Perkasie, PA. Bring suntan lotion & a drink. 6/29 @ 6 pm -AAA Field (Field closest to Lenape Park) 7/1 @ 6 pm - AAA Field 7/6 = Rained Out; May be Rescheduled for 7/12 (TBD) 7/10 @ 8 pm - Majors Field (Field closest to Walnut St.) 7/22 @ 6 pm - AAA Field 7/25 @ 8 pm - Majors Field 7/27 @ 6 pm - AAA Field 8/1 @ 9 am AAA Field 8/4 @ 6 pm - AAA Field 8/6 @ 6 pm - AAA Field Playoff Games TBD
Floral Sponsors to Resume Betty Gabel 408 Grandview Ave. If you are interested in sponsoring Perkasie, PA 18944 altar flowers in honor of a loved one
or special celebration date, please Lois Hafler JULY BIRTHDAYS sign up on the flower chart near the 1611 Park Ave., #201 coat room or call Julia in the church 4 Jensen Vieczorek Quakertown, PA 18951 office at 215-257-3294. 6 Elaine Miller Molly Putnick The cost is $25 for one bouquet of Grace Nicolino 7 Lillian Benner flowers & $50 for two. Checks can 1611 Park Ave., #112 8 Bonnie Beck be made out to Peace Lutheran Quakertown, PA 18951 Grace Nicolino Church, then mailed to us or 9 Garry Engelmann dropped in the offertory plate Helen Poust Laura Sipes during worship services. 200 S 9th Street 10 Courtney Heverly Cottage #7 12 Kelly Marascio Perkasie, PA 18944 Kelsey Schott 13 Elizabeth Anders Winter: 4596 CR#305 William Scheetz Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538 14 Michele Pester 15 Grace Lloyd Wanda Renshaw 16 Matthew Engelmann 1131 Arbour Lane Graham Vieczorek Quakertown, PA 18951 18 Gale Bryde 19 Lauren Hockel JULY Bulletin & Floral Jean Scholl Patricia Scheetz Sponsors: 2301 North Fifth Street
21 Melissa Yates Perkasie, PA 18944 24 Ellen Shelly th 5 - N/A 25 Elva Groff Gloria Shannon Nathan Ritter 12th – Nate Gabel Rm 57, 108 S. Main St. 26 Blake Eisenhart 19th – Kathy Mitman 27 Gordon Benner Richlandtown, PA 18955
28 Lori Harris 26th - Judy Hamilton Marlene Shilling Sophia Hughes 31 Jennifer Engelmann Our Home Bound Members: The Birches 691 Main Street, Room 28 Jennifer Flodin Sandra Horning Harleysville, PA 19438 Alice Brad Meadow Glen at Phoebe Shirley Slozer 108 S. Main St., Apt. 124 Hidden Meadows on the Ridge Richlandtown, PA 18955 The Laurels Room D1A 340 Farmers Lane Mary Dunlap JULY ANNIVERSARIES Sellersville, PA 18960 Cedarbrook Nursing Home st 1 – Julia & Thomas Wisler 350 S Cedarbrook Rd. Luther (Luke) Stever Carrie & Mike Tyburski Rm #614A Hidden Meadows on the Ridge 2nd – Herman & Shirley Slozer Allentown, PA 18104 The Laurels, Room D6 Amanda & James McKenzie th 340 Farmers Lane 5 – Michael & Natalie Marion Engelmann Sellersville, PA 18960 Bartosiewicz Meadow Glen at Phoebe 7th – Lauren & Corey Hockel 108 S. Main St., Apt. 130 18th - Deb & Glen Finicle, Jr. 27th Eric & Susan French Richlandtown, PA 18955
Our Prayer List -- Please Pray for … Our Members Carol Correll Joe Kramer Marion Engelmann Luke Stever Tom Smith Joyce Burkett Yvonne Thomas Bruce Bachman Shirley Slozer Charlene Fisher Jessica Kramer Sherry Dulsky Nicole Wilfong
Our Military Brian Hilinski Kyle Likens Dylan Lloyd Dan Frasch Eric French Flint Engelmann Gillian Lloyd
Our Friends Lorraine - Sister of Donna Donelon Dennis Brennan – Brother of Marcia Kramer Charles Mitman – Brother of Grace Grim Deana Murray – Sister-in-Law of Corinne Penn Diane – Daughter of Shirley Scearce Barry Stoneback – Friend of Debbie & John Schoch Joyce Frazier – Friend of Carole & Bill Brackman Rodney Allebach – Son of Agnes & Joseph Allebach Robert Skinner – Friend of Ellen & John Shelly Janice Young – Gary Schaeffer’s Cousin Luke Bender – Dorothy Kasper’s Friend’s Grandson Tony Swede – Brother of Ellen Shelly Christopher Malloy – Son of Pastor Dayle Malloy Caitlyn – Daughter of Elaine Keckiessen Michael & Angel Miller – Grandson & Daughter of Sue Keen Gloria Anderson – Mother of Peni Bottorf Doris Bohanak – Shelley DePinto’s Mother Winnie Klopper – Friend of Pete Moyer Jamie Kruse – Sister-in-Law of Dawn Lutz Neil Rapawy – Friends of Randi & Gary Schaeffer Barbara Sacks – Sister of Robert Beck Mary Glover – Mother-in-Law of Corinne Penn Susanne Wright – Relative of Pete and Cheryl Moyer Dylan Willis – Dave Thomas’ Cousin Dorothy/Don Armstrong – Sister/Brother-in-Law of Nancy Grace Stephanie Salewski – Julia Erney’s Mother Fred Heitzenroder – Friend of the Groffs Mike Maurer, Wife & Daughter – Friends of Larry Schenk Maureen Gildea – Friend of Jayne Kramer & Beth Kramer Maloney Edward Brous – Friend & Arbours Community Neighbor Stacy Block – Brother-in-Law of Peter & Cheryl Moyer Ken & Lynn Swift – Friends of the Groffs Jean Schmidt Gruen – Friend of the Groffs Barbara Staats - Neighbor of The Erneys & Groffs
Peace-Tohickon Evangelical Lutheran Church 100 Old Bethlehem Road, Perkasie, Pa 18944 (215) 257-3294 Website: www.peace-tohickon.org
Church Staff and Council Members
Staff: Contacts: Phone Numbers: e-mail Addresses: Bridge Pastor Dayle Malloy 215-932-9533 [email protected] Church Admin. Asst. Julia Erney 215-257-3294 adminassistant@peace- tohickon.org Bookkeeper Carol Ward 215-257-3294 [email protected] Organist/Sr. Choir Linda Beck 215-723-5356 [email protected] New Spirit, Bells, Youth Jen Bara 267-307-4061 [email protected] Choirs Sexton Curt Gerth 267-474-4212 [email protected] Nursery Elaine Miller 215-536-9271 N/A
Council Members: Contacts: Phone Numbers: e-mail Addresses: President Douglas Erney 267-410-7644 [email protected] Vice-President Mike Cygan 215-872-4490 [email protected] Treasurer Ellen Shelly 215-257-9061 [email protected] Secretary Melissa Yates 215-257-6735 [email protected] Financial Secretary Dottie Ritter 215-257-4587 financialsecretary@peace- tohickon.org Council Member Mary Snyder 215-538-2835 [email protected] Council Member Donna Donelon 908-627-1952 [email protected] Council Member Heidi Gerth 267-424-4893 [email protected] Council Member Bill Groff 215-453-9005 [email protected] Council Member Gary Schaeffer 484-894-3030 [email protected] Council Member - Youth Courtney Steiner Representative Council Member Dianne Steiner 215-453-7917 [email protected] Council Member Available: You? Yours! Yours! Council Member Available: You? Yours! Yours!
Thank You For Your Willingness to Serve!
THIS MONTH AT-A-GLANCE ….
DATES GREETERS ACOLYTES CRUCIFERS LECTORS/ASSISTING MINISTERS
7/5/19 N/A N/A N/A During the 7/12/19 Ushers Summer Months Nancy Cygan
Volunteers & Attendees 7/19/19 Ushers may again be requested TBD in the Fall or Winter Months (TBD) 7/26/19 Ushers Cheryl Saint-Pol
HEAD USHER Mike Cygan
JULY ALTAR GUILD Nancy Frank & Judy Hamilton
PARISH NURSE/Blood Pressure Screenings Linda Gonet & Dianne Steiner
If you are interested in … Contact … Greeting members Judy Hamilton [email protected] Being an Usher Mike Cygan [email protected] Serving on Altar Guild Elva Groff [email protected] Serving as an Acolyte or Crucifer Carole Brackman [email protected] Serving as a Lector or Assisting Minister Nancy Cygan [email protected] Joining Youth or Bell Choir Jen Bara [email protected] Joining our New Spirit Ensemble Jen Bara [email protected] Joining our Senior Choir Linda Beck [email protected] Joining WELCA Nancy Grace [email protected] Joining the Adult Bible Study Group Randi Schaeffer [email protected] Joining the Men’s Bible Study Group Bruce Bachman [email protected] Joining the Peace Youth Group (PYG) Heidi Gerth [email protected] Joining the Senior Lunch Bunch Grace Lloyd [email protected] Promoting Peace Out in the Community Cheryl Saint-Pol [email protected] Helping with Vacation Bible School Yvonne Thomas [email protected] Teaching/Helping with Sunday School Dottie Ritter [email protected] Joining/Starting a Committee Julia Erney [email protected] Meals on Wheels Cheryl Saint-Pol [email protected] Joining the Finance Committee Garry Engelmann [email protected] Helping with the Peace Garden Dottie Ritter [email protected] If You Have Something to add here Julia Erney [email protected]
What’s Happening at Peace?
Peace Gardens Are Lookin’ Good! Thank you to all who helped plant & care for the items in our garden. We will continue to need volunteers to water & weed throughout
the summer. See Dottie Ritter, call her at 215-896-3095 or email [email protected] to help. All efforts are appreciated. Our produce benefits our local food pantry, Pennridge FISH (Pennridge Fellowship in Serving Humanity).
When’s Lunch? **Please Note: The Lunch Bunch will NOT meet in July or August.
Questions? Contact Grace Lloyd at 610-972-3172 or e-mail [email protected].
The “New Lunch Bunch” meets on the first Wednesday of the Month at noon, September - June. Anyone 55 and over is welcome!
Even when you are on vacation, our ministry continues. Please remember to send your offering before you go. May God bless you with safe travels & fun times to look back on.
Note From Altar Guild: Thank you to those members who have signed up to sponsor altar flowers over the summer months. There are a couple of dates open if anyone would like to participate: August 16th, September 6th, & October 11th
Please sign the flower chart outside the coat room if you would like to sponsor flowers in honor of or in memory of a loved one. You can drop the $50 for 2 bouquets (or $25 for one bouquet) in the offertory plate during worship services or mail your check to the church office. Thank you for helping to beautify our church & our worship services.
CALL COMMITTEE UPDATE:
The call process has continued despite the pandemic. We look forward to reporting more about our progress to the congregation in the coming weeks. Keep praying!
Hunger Does Not Take a Vacation
The Pennridge FISH Food Pantry is looking for your help to keep their shelves stocked to help those in need within the community.
Pennridge FISH accepts donations of all “in date” non-perishable food items, paper products, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and laundry items.
At this time they are in specific need of: Boxed Mashed Potatoes Dried Potato Flakes Ramen Noodles Cream Soups (Mushroom, Chicken, etc.) Canned Pasta Canned Meat (Beef Stew, Canned Ham, Spam®) Meal Helpers (Hamburger, Tuna, Rice, or Pasta Helpers) Canned Vegetables Canned Fruit Raisins Pancake Mix Cooking Oil Sugar Flour Cake Icing Mayonnaise Ketchup Mustard Hot Chocolate Powdered Chocolate Mix (NESTLÉ® Nesquik®) Diapers sizes 5, 6, 7, Pullups, Trainers Diaper Wipes Detergent ("Dollar Tree" has it for $1) Dish Washing Soap
For more information, please call FISH at 215-257-7616. You can drop off donations to FISH during their drop off hours or add them to Peace’s grocery cart for Pennridge FISH on weekday mornings or during our worship time on Sundays. Call the church office at 215-257-3294 for additional times to drop off your donations.
In addition, throughout the summer months, someone will be onsite at Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church every Thursday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to accept donations as well. Thanks for your support!
Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church 733 Ridge Road Sellersville, PA 18960 `
Call the Church Office When … What Talents Can You Share? • A member becomes hospitalized or shut-in, Stewardship Committee • A member needs prayer, is having a baby, Information Technology Committee getting married, wants to be baptized or OutReach Committee Faith & Fellowship Committee confirmed, or is moving. Finance Committee • You want to become a member of Peace. Worship & Music Formation Gardening Club • You have spiritual questions to explore. Altar Guild, Youth Groups Sunday School, Vacation Bible School • You are curious about God’s call to you. Peace is always looking for volunteers. Peace Church Office: 215-257-3294 Call the church office at 215-257-3294 to learn how to get involved at Peace. Be at Peace.
Please keep our Prayer List Up-To-Date If you have a friend or relative on our prayer list who has recovered from an illness, please call the Church Office at 215-257-3294, so we can update our weekly prayer list. Our prayers do work! Thank you!
Our Mission @ Peace:
Trusting in God's love, we grow in faith,
celebrate His Word,
care for His gifts and serve others.
Peace-Tohickon Lutheran Church
100 Old Bethlehem Road Perkasie, PA 18944 215-257-3294 www.peace-tohickon.org ______
Minutes of the Congregation Council May 19, 2020 via Zoom
2021 Term 2022 Term 2023 Term Doug Erney (1st)* Mike Cygan (1st)* Bill Groff (2nd)* Donna Donelon (1st)* Dianne Steiner (1st)* Melissa Yates (2nd)* Gary Schaeffer (1st)* Heidi Gerth (1st)* Mary Snyder (1st)* Courtney Steiner (1st)* vacant vacant
Pastor Dayle Malloy, Dottie Ritter, financial secretary, and Ellen Shelly, treasurer, also in attendance. An * indicates attendance. All votes are unanimous unless otherwise noted.
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:15 by President Doug Erney. Dianne Steiner led us in devotions. 2. Secretary’s Report A motion to accept the secretary’s report was made by Donna Donelon and seconded by Courtney Steiner. 3. Pastor’s Report A motion to accept the Pastor’s report was made by Heidi Gerth and seconded by Dianne Steiner. 4. Committee reports a. Faith and Fellowship. A motion to cancel VBS for the summer of 2020 with the intention to reinstate it in the summer of 2021 was made by Courtney Steiner and seconded by Mary Snyder. b. Worship. Worship provided three action items for Council to consider. Council made the following motions in response. i. Recording of Zoom Sunday services. A decision was made to record the Sunday Zoom service so that it can be distributed either by email or via social media. The recording will be controlled and edited by Randi Schaeffer. Only the speaker view will be shown, and only the service itself. Pastor will send out an email notifying the congregation that attendance signifies acceptance of the recording, and that anyone who does not want to be recorded should shut off their video. A motion to approve the recording of the Sunday Zoom service to be distributed to members and/or posted on social media was made by Donna Donelon and seconded by Courtney Steiner. ii. Location of the Altar during the Pandemic There is concern that many will not be ready to return to church when it opens. Worship feels that it is necessary to live stream the services for those who are not comfortable attending in person. To make the live streaming as easy as possible, it is thought that the participants [pastor and reader] should be on the same level. Therefore, the committee requested that the altar be temporarily moved to be closer to the congregation. This configuration would remain until the choir is reinstated. A motion to move the altar closer to the congregation for the purpose of live streaming was made by Dianne Steiner and seconded by Mary Snyder. The move, which provides the best environment for all attending and watching, will stay until the choir is reinstated. iii. Purchase of an additional music license. The church has a license to use music within the building. In order to use music in a broadcast setting, we will need an additional streaming license. The estimated cost is $77.00 per year. A motion to approve the purchase of an additional streaming license to allow for the use of music during our services was made by Heidi Gerth and seconded by Courtney Steiner. A motion to accept the committee reports was made by Dianne Steiner and seconded by Courtney Steiner. 5. Financial Secretary. Dottie provided reports for February, March, and April. A motion to accept the reports of the Financial Secretary was made by Dianne Steiner and seconded by Mike Cygan. 6. April Financial Reports Carol is still working on a revision of accounts. It is hoped that reports will be available for our next meeting. 7. Reminders. Next meeting: June 16, 2020 Counter 1: Melissa Yates Devotions: Donna Donelon Counter 2: Mary Snyder 8. New Business. a. Council is working on guidelines for the reopening of our building when in-person services are permitted. We are addressing the facility itself, and the structure and format of the service. We hope to learn the technical aspects of live streaming, and would like to encourage members to consider electronic giving. b. Ellen Shelly, our Treasurer, has submitted her resignation, to take effect in August. We thank her for all that she has been doing, and are interested in locating a new Treasurer so that Ellen can train that person. c. Laptops. A number of our computers are very old. In particular, the Bookkeeper’s computer is very slow and difficult. We are using members’ computers for door codes, and for the Treasurer. We will need to purchase a computer to use for door codes, and also for use in streaming. The next Treasurer will need a computer. A motion to allocate a sum, not to exceed $4500.00, from current funds, for the purpose of purchasing three new laptops for church use, was made by Gary Schaeffer and seconded by Melissa Yates. 9. A motion to adjourn was made at 9:25 by Heidi Gerth and seconded by Courtney Steiner. Respectfully submitted, Melissa Yates
Motions
A motion to cancel VBS for the summer of 2020 with the intention to reinstate it in the summer of 2021 was made by Courtney Steiner and seconded by Mary Snyder.
A motion to approve the recording of the Sunday Zoom service to be distributed to members and/or posted on social media was made by Donna Donelon and seconded by Courtney Steiner.
A motion to move the altar closer to the congregation for the purpose of live streaming was made by Dianne Steiner and seconded by Mary Snyder. The move, which provides the best environment for all attending and watching, will stay until the choir is reinstated.
A motion to approve the purchase of an additional streaming license to allow for the use of music during our services was made by Heidi Gerth and seconded by Courtney Steiner.
A motion to allocate a sum, not to exceed $4500.00, from current funds, for the purpose of purchasing three new laptops for church use, was made by Gary Schaeffer and seconded by Melissa Yates. ______
Peace Covid-19 protocols for the resumption of services at the church building These procedures have been developed to provide a safe environment for all who worship in our sanctuary, work in our offices and meet in our facility. Preparation of the building The intention is to limit our movement within the building to the areas leading to the nave and to the handicapped bathroom. This will assist us in limiting our exposure to potentially wider areas of contamination and allow us to concentrate the cleaning in the areas that are actually used.
• Remove literature racks and any excess tables. No food or coffee will be shared. • Remove hymnals, bibles and any other printed materials from the pews. The entire service will be printed in the bulletin. • Keep the doors locked on the side entrances. All worshippers must enter the church at the front entrance • Provide hand sanitizer station at main entrance • Restrict movement to the second-floor offices of the pastor and the admin assistant. • Restrict movement through the corridor leading to the cloak room and the cloak room itself. • Manage the traffic flow from the nave to the fellowship hall to enter and exit • Isolate the overflow area from the nave • Install ribbons (or other markers) on the pews to maintain a 6’ space in the center of the pews • Place 4 bulletins in the pews in every third row to maintain two empty pews between worshippers. • Place the shopping cart outside at the entrance so that worshippers may contribute items for FISH • Provide signs (as needed) to direct people o All enter at the front door o Provide a sign-in sheet for all participants to acknowledge medical condition and provide a means for tracing if necessary o Notification for live video taping of the service which may include the worshippers as we stream and tape the service o Maintain 6’ distance as you enter the church o Use the hand sanitizer station upon entering the building o Do not use the upstairs bathrooms unless it is an emergency o Sit only in the pews with bulletins o Directional sign to handicapped bathroom o Place offering in the plate provided at the back of the church o Provide a place for worshippers to dispose of their bulletins and used communion packets • Provide direction to the worshippers to leave the building promptly after the service. Gatherings with appropriate social distancing can take place outside of the building. • Wipe down the contact areas of the worship area immediately after the service. Prior to Worship Please assess your health condition before joining other worshippers at the church, by asking yourself the following questions
• Have you tested positive for Covide-19? • Have you been in contact with anyone who has a laboratory diagnosis of Covid-19 within the past two weeks? • Do you have any of the following symptoms? o Fever exceeding 100 degrees or chills o Cough o Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing o Body aches o Headaches o Recent loss of taste or smell o Sore throat If you need to answer “Yes” to any of the questions, please do not attend worship until you are sure that you are not positive for the virus. Worship We will protect each other and our families by observing these guidelines
• All participants will be required to wear a mask to enter the building. The mask must be properly in place before entering. • An usher will be stationed outside of the church at the entry doors to greet the members and to ensure that worshippers are wearing masks and maintaining physical distance. • A second usher/attendant will meet people as they enter and remind them to use the hand sanitizer • No choir or group processional. No congregational singing. • Pastor and assisting minister will maintain social distance during the service. • We will not use handshakes or hugs to share the peace of God during our service. Instead, please nod, wave, or cross your arms over your heart to share the peace at the appropriate time during the service • Communion will be shared in the pews. Prior to the service, Pastor will wash her hands thoroughly and then set the communion packets on a tray. The packets will be spaced apart so that there is ample space between them. Each person receiving communion should take their own packet, being careful to not touch any adjacent packets. Pastor will go down each vacant row with the tray and serve the packets to the worshippers. When the packets have been distributed, she will return to the altar and then all communicants will take the bread and wine at her direction. • At the end of the service, an usher will direct the members to exit by pew starting at the rear of the church • Worshippers will dispose of communion packet wrappers and bulletins as they leave. • Worshippers will be encouraged to leave the building directly after the service. • Those who wish to continue to meet with each other should meet outside of the building so that they can maintain the appropriate physical distance. 6/25/20