January 28, 2021
To our church family,
We are excited to welcome our church family into our new church building this coming Sunday, January 31, 2021! It was been a long and difficult journey to get to this point, but God has been ever faithful! As we move forward with opening our church building we are forced to deal with the topic Covid-19 restrictions. The topic of social distancing and mandatory masks is a controversial topic for many, but needed to be fully evaluated by the church board and decisions made for the initial opening on the church building.
Decisions on how to safely open the church have not been made lightly or in an effort to divide the church. Before making any decisions, the church board discussed all sides of the matter at length, sought out the opinions within the church body and church leadership, contacted the Free Methodist Church HQ, and reviewed the CDC and state guidelines.
When we held our services outdoors there was less concern for spreading germs, since will now be conducting our church services indoors, in confined spaces, we must take these concerns seriously. Along with the risk of spreading the virus among attendees we must also consider that many in our congregation cannot afford the time away from work and loved ones if they are exposed to Covid and need to quarantine. We want to be a place where as many people as possible can meet to seek fellowship and deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
These are unique times we are navigating through, and we as a board are working to the best of our ability to bring our church family together in as safe of a way as possible. The church will have hand sanitizer stations throughout the church building and the building will be fogged prior to the 9am service by an EPA-approved disinfectant for killing the Covid-19 Virus which resides on surfaces. Masks will be required inside the church building for:
The 9am service will observe additional Covid safety precautions that will be enforced. The sanctuary will have 50% reduced capacity, social distancing will be encouraged, and there will be no Wally Kids children's ministry.
We understand that everyone in the church will not agree with the decisions the board has made or will make moving forward. We will not be able to appease everyone. We do, however ask for your grace and understanding during this time. So instead of taking sides or creating division, let us all coming together as one family and praise God for this opportunity to worship him in our new church building. The church will lessen the restrictions in time as the situation permits. Focus on the joy that is before us, and allow time to sort out the details on the restrictions and operations of the church services.
We so look forward to celebrating with you! Please join this Sunday, and the ones following, to celebrate God’s faithfulness to our church!
In God’s Peace,
The Wallenpaupack Church Board
To our church family,
We are excited to welcome our church family into our new church building this coming Sunday, January 31, 2021! It was been a long and difficult journey to get to this point, but God has been ever faithful! As we move forward with opening our church building we are forced to deal with the topic Covid-19 restrictions. The topic of social distancing and mandatory masks is a controversial topic for many, but needed to be fully evaluated by the church board and decisions made for the initial opening on the church building.
Decisions on how to safely open the church have not been made lightly or in an effort to divide the church. Before making any decisions, the church board discussed all sides of the matter at length, sought out the opinions within the church body and church leadership, contacted the Free Methodist Church HQ, and reviewed the CDC and state guidelines.
When we held our services outdoors there was less concern for spreading germs, since will now be conducting our church services indoors, in confined spaces, we must take these concerns seriously. Along with the risk of spreading the virus among attendees we must also consider that many in our congregation cannot afford the time away from work and loved ones if they are exposed to Covid and need to quarantine. We want to be a place where as many people as possible can meet to seek fellowship and deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
These are unique times we are navigating through, and we as a board are working to the best of our ability to bring our church family together in as safe of a way as possible. The church will have hand sanitizer stations throughout the church building and the building will be fogged prior to the 9am service by an EPA-approved disinfectant for killing the Covid-19 Virus which resides on surfaces. Masks will be required inside the church building for:
- All adults
- Children (attending church service or a children’s ministry program)
- Newborn to 2-year-olds, masks not required
- 3- to 4-year-olds, masks recommended but not required
- Pre-K to teenager, masks required
The 9am service will observe additional Covid safety precautions that will be enforced. The sanctuary will have 50% reduced capacity, social distancing will be encouraged, and there will be no Wally Kids children's ministry.
We understand that everyone in the church will not agree with the decisions the board has made or will make moving forward. We will not be able to appease everyone. We do, however ask for your grace and understanding during this time. So instead of taking sides or creating division, let us all coming together as one family and praise God for this opportunity to worship him in our new church building. The church will lessen the restrictions in time as the situation permits. Focus on the joy that is before us, and allow time to sort out the details on the restrictions and operations of the church services.
We so look forward to celebrating with you! Please join this Sunday, and the ones following, to celebrate God’s faithfulness to our church!
In God’s Peace,
The Wallenpaupack Church Board