Covid Guidelines

Caring for the Health and Well-being of all Faith Church Members

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you (because) of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love you have for all the saints, (Col. 1:3-4).  We thank you for complying with church leadership by wearing a mask that covers your nose and mouth. We understand there is a diversity of beliefs about mask wearing.  We do not ask that you agree with the session’s views on wearing masks (session’s rationale soon to appear on the church website). We are asking you to comply with church guidelines while you are in the building.  

You have heard us express concern for the safety of our seniors and others with underlying health conditions. We have not often enough invited feedback or often enough offered options to those who may have health issues that make mask wearing  difficult. We apologize for our inadequate care for those we have overlooked or who may have concluded they have no choice but to stay home. We wish to enable everyone to be able to be in person for worship. Please speak to us if you are not able to wear a mask covering your nose and mouth. 

Please read revised guidelines on the back of your bulletin in order to understand what we have adopted as safe practices. Our desire is to promote unity in the bond of peace. (See updates in #1, #5 and #6.)

Care for FOPC Members While in the Building

The Elders ask you to comply with the following policies. We do not ask that you adopt a particular view regarding masks; we are asking for cooperation with the leadership of the church. 

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Rationale for Masks:

We ask you to wear a mask to protect others (Philippians 2:4). We expect you will not come to church if ill, but if you’re infected and pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic, the air you breathe out is laden with viral particles. Masks trap those virus particles while still in the large water droplets you breathe out. When those viruses get out into the air everyone breathes, they can spread beyond 6 feet. Viruses are so small that they can easily penetrate the masks everyone else is wearing. 

No one enjoys wearing a mask, but combined with distancing, they are the next best thing to protecting our community other than staying home. Please wear a mask to protect our elderly and those with underlying health conditions. There are many church members who need this protection to continue coming to worship. “For in fact the body is not one member but many,” 1 Cor. 12:14. 

If you are not able to comply due to a health condition, please let an elder or pastor know.

Please maintain the unity of our church and enable all who possibly can to obey the command not to forsake “the assembling of ourselves together,” Hebrews 10:25. Thank you for inconveniencing yourselves out of love for Christ and your family at Faith Church. It is highly valued by those who benefit from your sacrifice. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to speak to an elder or a pastor. 

1. Please maintain physical distance of at least 6 feet and wear face masks over the nose and mouth when in the building. Extra masks are available at the church. Please wear a mask at all times, even if physically distanced. We ask anyone who cannot wear a mask for medical reasons to speak with an elder so we can understand your concerns and discuss various options.  Children age 5 and under are exempt from the mask requirement. 

1. Every other row of pews in the 2 center columns is blocked off with red yarn. To maintain physical distancing, please do not sit in the blocked off rows.

1. Both the left and right wings of pews are distanced by two pews instead of one. These are reserved for seniors or those with underlying medical conditions and their families. 

1. Ushers will monitor attendance. When attendance reaches 76 in the sanctuary and balcony, ushers will direct people to the choir room or to the Training chapel (where there are closed circuit TV).

1. The nursery is not available at this time, although we are working toward its re-opening. Families are welcome to use the balcony and the training chapel. There is a changing table and a rocking chair in a private room at the back of the training chapel.

1. Pastors and pianists may remove masks when preaching or piano playing because they have been distanced more than 15 feet. Please do not sit directly behind or near the orchestral area. 

1. Please refrain from physical forms of greeting such as handshakes and hugging.

1. Hand sanitizer is available at all entrances and throughout the building. Disinfecting wipes are available in the bathrooms.

1. Those who set up for worship will be masked. Disinfection occurs between services. 

1. If you are sick or if a family member has COVID, please do not come to church. Please notify Faith Church if you become symptomatic or test positive after attending a service. 

We cannot prevent infection outside the building; our goal is to prevent spread within. Thank you.