PROTOCOLS
PROTOCOL FOR REOPENING
HALL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
As we continue to create an atmosphere in our church that is responsible and that protects the health and welfare of our members as well as our guests, the task force is continuing the work on the reopening protocols. The Task Force has agreed to loosen restrictions at this time.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Our church facility will be set up to ensure that people can easily maintain social distancing from the time they enter church property until they leave.
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We will modify our parking lot so that only every other parking space is available. This may be accomplished by strategically blocking the spaces with cones or by marking closed spaces with chalk or tape.
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Entrance of the building will be limited to the front doors only.
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The fellowship hall will now be utilized for overflow worship and church school.
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Ushers will control the flow of traffic entering and exiting the sanctuary as well as the fellowship hall. Upon entering the sanctuary, the middle aisle will be blocked off and guests should enter the pews from the left or right side of the sanctuary. Exiting the sanctuary will be done via the center aisle one row at a time.
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All hymnal, Bibles and personal fans will be removed from the sanctuary.
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We will utilize every other pew for family seating with no more than eight (8) persons per pew.
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At the completion of worship, ushers will instruct guests to exit by rows instead of all at once. Six feet of social distancing will be maintained, and ushers will be on-hand to ensure that there is no “bottle-necking” while exiting. Members in the fellowship hall will exit through the double doors leading to the parking lot.
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Only the restrooms outside of the Pastor’s office will be utilized and will be limited to two (2) persons per gender restroom.
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We will create bathroom spacing by “closing” every other urinal or stall and sink by taping stall doors and placing “closed” signs on sinks or urinals.
INGRESS AND EGRESS OF BUILDING
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The Trustees will acquire a supply of disposable masks and hand sanitizer.
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ALL members and guests that are FULLY VACCINATED AND NOT VACCINATED will have to wear a mask. Masks will be provided for those who do not have one. NO EXCEPTIONS. Rev. Smith will not be wearing a mask while preaching.
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Greeters will continue to take temperatures.
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The six foot distancing, the bathroom and water fountains will remain as is until further notice.
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Sanitizing stations will be positioned at the entrance of the church and the sanctuary.
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Guests will be required to utilize sanitizer upon entering and exiting the building.
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Members of every ministry of the church will work together and synchronize schedules to ensure that the entrance to the sanctuary and the fellowship hall are covered. They will serve to instruct the flow of guests and maintain safety standards.
WORSHIP
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Until further notice the total occupancy is 80 persons; 48 in the sanctuary, 25 in the Fellowship Hall for worship overflow and 7 additional located between the narthex and upstairs.
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Temperatures 100.2 and above will not be able to enter.
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We will modify our worship experience to last no longer than 90 minutes until further notice.
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The music ministry will limit choir participation to 4-5 persons including the Minister of Music.
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There will be no sharing of microphones. Each mic will have a colored wind guard which will be removed and cleaned each Sunday.
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Greeters, ushers and communion stewards will all wear masks during worship.
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We will utilize individual communion kits until further notice and communion stewards will also wear disposable gloves while serving. Holy Communion will be limited to the first (1st) Sunday only until further notice.
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Worship will be edited in a manner that will allow both the collection of tithes and offerings as well as disposal of empty communion kits while exiting the church or the fellowship hall.
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Upon the conclusion of each worship service, the sanctuary will be sanitized.