Church Reopening!

Greetings RCC Family,

I wanted to provide you with a brief overview of how the church will “reopen” on May 31st. We are all looking forward to gathering again as a church family. If you are older, in poor health, or have a comprised immune system, please know that we will understand and support your decision if you decide to continue worshipping from home for an additional season. Just know that you are loved and remain a vital part of our faith community.

The following plans and guidelines are designed to allow us to resume in-person services as safely and comfortably as possible. These guidelines are temporary and will be eased as state and local health indicators improve.

Beginning May 31st, worship services will be offered at 8:45 AM and 11:00 AM. Services will also be streamed to the fellowship hall to serve as an overflow area if needed. The 11:00 AM service will be streamed to Facebook Live and the church’s website. We have also been in discussion about making the service available on the radio. Let us know if you, or someone you know, would benefit from a radio broadcast.

For the near future, no other Sunday AM programming will be offered, including Sunday school, coffee fellowship, and nursery. There will be a temporary cry room available to parents.

Our aim is to make the worship experience as safe as possible. To accomplish this goal, several measures will be in place. Hand sanitizer will be available at multiple stations. Every other row of pews will be marked off to allow for social distancing. Everyone is asked to use common sense and courtesy toward others in selecting a seat. For the time being, the balcony will be closed off and the foyer area simplified. Please bring your own Bible, pen, coffee, or anything else you may need.

Continuing from the previous point, as you enter the worship area you will pick up your own “double-cupped” communion emblems. If you need help carrying your communion cups, church leaders will be available to assist you. Communion is going to be prepared by deacons wearing medical masks and gloves. Offering boxes will be mounted on the walls next to the various doors in the worship area. Facial masks will be optional for those in attendance. In between services, bathrooms, busy areas, and “high touch” surfaces will be sanitized and disinfected. Let us know if you would be willing to serve on a cleaning team.

At the end of the service, we will dismiss those in attendance by rows, beginning with the back rows. Everyone is asked to exit the building upon conclusion of the service. Please enjoy fellowship outside.

We are all anxious to assemble again as a spiritual family. These temporary plans and procedures are designed to facilitate a safe and joyous return. Though things will feel a little different for a while, the values of our church—commitment to God’s Word, loving community, transforming grace, lifelong discipleship, devoted service, and God-honoring excellence—remain the same.

As we anticipate reassembling as a family of faith, let’s keep the Apostle Paul’s admonition in Ephesians 4:2-3 in mind – “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Greg