Reopening Sunday Worship Service 

After prayerful consideration and consultation with our deacons, we are making plans for reopening our sanctuary for worship on June 7, at 11 a.m. No other meetings or activities will be held during the month, but we will be gathering for worship each Sunday morning at 11 a.m.

Like many other churches across the state, we will be phasing in other activities over time. We’ve chosen to reopen Sunday School at this time. 

Over the past several weeks, your pastor has participated in Zoom calls with Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Attorney General Ken Paxton, and with leaders of our Texas Baptist Convention. 

Churches are asked to follow a number of guidelines when reopening for services. Reopening carefully is important for our congregation because the majority of our membership falls within the 65 and older age group. The guidelines we are implementing will be put in place to make our time together as safe as possible. 

There are a variety of opinions concerning the best approach to dealing with the Corona virus. We hope you understand that gathering for worship means we must do our best to protect our whole congregation. The wellbeing of our people is our only motivation for implementing the following guidelines. 

Guidelines for reopening:

1. Persons who are not well should stay home and watch the service remotely. The symptoms of COVID-19 are: cough, shortness of breath or having trouble breathing, chills, fever greater or equal to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea. If you are not feeling well, have fever, or any of the symptoms listed above, please stay home and watch the service online.
2. At-risk persons are encouraged to watch the service remotely. At-risk persons are identified as those who are 65 years or older – especially those with chronic lung disease, moderate to severe asthma, chronic heart disease, severe obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis, liver disease, or weakened immune system.
3. We will practice social distancing at all times by: 
   • Maintaining 6 feet of separation on the left and the right between family groups (groups of people living in the same household). 
   • Maintaining 6 feet of separation on the left and the right between individuals who are not part of the same household. 
   • Refraining from traditional forms of greeting that require bodily contact.
4. Attendees are strongly encouraged to wear face masks. If you have a face mask please bring it with you. We will have masks available for those who do not have one. Even if you are not concerned about your own protection, wearing a mask will allow others to worship with greater confidence.
5. Attendees will use hand sanitizer provided in the foyer before entering the worship service.
6. A sign will be posted reminding you of best hygiene practices.
7. The sanctuary will be disinfected after each service.

Disinfection practices include:

1. Regularly and frequently clean and disinfect any regularly touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, tables, chairs, and restrooms. 
2. Disinfect seats between services. 
3. Disinfect any items that come into contact with attendees. 
4. Make hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, soap and water, or similar disinfectant readily available.
5. Place readily visible signage to remind everyone of best hygiene practices. 
6. If a church or place of worship provides meals for employees, volunteers, or attendees, they are recommended to have the meals individually packed for each employee, volunteer, or attendee. 
7. Maintain rigorous sanitation practices like disinfection, handwashing, and cleanliness when preparing or serving anything edible.