St. Mark COVID-19
Strategy & Guidelines
Beginning July 2020
1. Though
the individual hours of our staff remain flexible, the church office hours will
increase to every weekday from 9:00am to 1:00pm.
2. Small
groups are allowed to meet on-site beginning July 1st. Leaders and attendees
must follow the Small Group Guidelines outlined in this document.
3. Anyone
who participates in activities, programs, or services must complete the waiver
form, Participation During a Pandemic, available in the church office.
4. At
this time, Sunday worship remains exclusively online. However, beginning on
July 22nd we will provide an in-person worship service on Wednesday nights at
6:30p.m. This service will be recorded and used for the following Sunday’s
online worship video.
a. For
safety reasons, this service will be treated as a small group and must adhere
to the Small Group Guidelines, which prohibit physical contact and require a
face mask at all times.
b. Singing
and spoken corporate prayers will not occur. Participants may whisper prayers,
or speak from their heart.
c. At
this time, there will be no communion on Wednesday evenings, or fellowship time
afterward.
d. Hymns
and other musical elements that require voices or breath will be edited
afterward for the Sunday worship video.
e. Attendance
on Wednesday nights will be limited to 50 people or fewer, and all who wish to
attend must sign up in advance. Registration will be available by calling the
office or by using the online form available on the website and the smartphone
app. Repeat attendance will be limited based on the number of people who are
waiting to attend the first time.
5. Certain
precautions have been put in place to ensure the safety of all who enter.
a. Though
everyone is encouraged to bring their own mask, the church will provide disposable
facemasks to anyone who may need one.
b. Hand
sanitation stations will be placed throughout the building.
c. A
professional zoom account will be available for use in the conference room to
any small group leader who requests access.
d. Rooms
that are not in use will be off-limits unless authorized by a member of staff.
e. After
a space has been used by a small group, it will be thoroughly disinfected.
f. Attendance
will be recorded at all gatherings.
6. The
council is aiming for an outdoor, in-person worship service on Rally Sunday,
September 13th, provided that Rockford is in Restore Illinois Phase 4 or
higher. This remains only a possibility for now.
7. The
current pastoral transition process will continue, following our congregation’s
constitution and bylaws. If a congregational meeting is required, the council
will devise a clear and accommodating plan so that no one is excluded due to
the pandemic.
Guidelines for Small Groups
St. Mark Lutheran Church
Rockford, IL
As St. Mark resumes some Small Group activities during the
COVID-19 pandemic, the council has certain requirements for anyone who meets on
church property. For the safety of all our members, and in keeping with our
calling as Christians to love our neighbors, groups that meet on-site must
follow these guidelines. Groups that meet off-site are strongly encouraged to
follow these to the best of their ability. The health and welfare of our
members and visitors is our number one priority in resuming all activities at
St. Mark Lutheran Church. As it is determined to be safe enough, we will
continue to gradually resume more of our “normal” church activities.
Small Group Leaders:
• Complete
and submit the Participation During a Pandemic waiver.
• Schedule
and coordinate gatherings through the office to ensure that there are no
overlapping meetings during this time. Stay only in designated areas, and
adhere to capacity limits. Though the state allows groups of 50 or fewer, our
capacity limits vary based on room size.
• Provide
a virtual meeting option for those unable to attend in person. The church’s
Zoom account is available when using the conference room, and the office staff
can assist you in setting up and coordinating a Zoom meeting. (other options
include phone conference calls and other video calling services you are
familiar with). Due to limitations, musical groups are exempt from this
requirement and encouraged to come up with other creative means to include
at-home participants.
• Take
the temperature of all attendees upon arrival, or assign a volunteer to do so.
Kindly, but firmly, ask anyone with a fever greater than 100°F to return home.
A thermometer will be provided by the church office.
• Ensure
that they and all attendees adhere to social distancing guidelines, as listed
below.
• Keep
an attendance record of all attendees and submit it to the church office.
Attendees:
• Complete
and submit the Participation During a Pandemic waiver.
• Wear
a face mask at all times. If a medical condition keeps you from doing so,
please stay home for your own safety and take advantage of the virtual meeting
option provided by the small group leader.
• Allow
your temperature to be taken upon arrival. If you are experiencing any symptoms
of illness, including a fever of 100°F or higher, you will be asked to return
home.
• Refrain
from handshakes, hugs, and all physical contact.
• Regularly
wash or sanitize hands, especially after using the restroom or touching your
face.
• Limit
restroom capacity to one person at a time, unless with a family member or
another individual under your care.
• Maintain
a distance of 6 feet between yourself and others.
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