Plan of Action to Resume in-person meetings
"We need to have grace and love for each other. May all of our conversations be done with love. Not everyone in the church shares the same views on the crises. Instead of coming together looking to educate others on why we stand where we do, can we come with an open heart to hear the place our brothers and sisters in Christ are at in this situation?"
SUMMARY OF PRECAUTIONS AND OTHER MEASURES
- High Risk members and any person that is ill are strongly encouraged to stay home
- Those that have signs or have tested positive for COVID-19 are asked to remain home until they have been tested.
- We ask all attenders to social distance to the extent possible.
- Non-stage members are strongly asked to follow mask regulations unless health prohibits. We recognize this is a controversial issue for some. We are asking all adults to follow current regulations on masks in public places.
- Services will be held in the Fellowship Hall.
- Doors will be propped open to limit touch.
- Non-essential areas of building will be restricted
- There will not be coffee or donuts available
- There will not be a bulletin or handouts
- There will not be a staffed nursery available for now. Mothers are allowed to use the room as needed.
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Detailed Precautions and Other Measures
Riverwood Family,
Greetings in the Lord. It is with great enthusiasm and excitement that I write to you with our plans to return to in person services starting on June 7. In this letter, I will detail out the precautions we will start with as we return. But first, I wish to share a couple heart things for you to consider.
First and most importantly we need to have grace and love for each other. May all of our conversations be done with love. Not everyone in the church shares the same views on the crises. Instead of coming together looking to educate others on why we stand where we do, can we come with an open heart to hear the place our brothers and sisters in Christ are at in this situation?
Some verses that the elders and I considered as we made decisions were the following:
1 Corinthians 10:23 “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.”·
Romans 14:13 “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.”
Romans 14:19 “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
Each and every precaution was weighed before God. We recognize there are many varied opinions of how best to respond to this virus and what precautions should be taken. The elders and I are asking the attenders of Riverwood to join us in the following precautions, even if you disagree with them. We each should be considerate of others in our body. For those who think our precautions are too stringent, we ask that you be considerate of those who, for their own reasons, believe them to be necessary. For those who think our precautions are lacking, we ask for grace as well. We are doing what we think we reasonably can manage while maintaining the ability to still hold services.
For any individual who feels uncomfortable returning, we want to assure you that the livestream will not stop. We will continue to reach out with calls, communion elements, and Facebook devotions. We also plan to make provisions for hybrid versions of our Bible studies. As studies begin to meet in person again, we are working toward having zoom available to join remotely for those who choose to remain at home.
The following are the precautions that we will follow at our initial return to Riverwood. We do not currently know a time frame for when we will begin to relax any of these. The elders and I will be evaluating the situation on a weekly basis.
Greetings in the Lord. It is with great enthusiasm and excitement that I write to you with our plans to return to in person services starting on June 7. In this letter, I will detail out the precautions we will start with as we return. But first, I wish to share a couple heart things for you to consider.
First and most importantly we need to have grace and love for each other. May all of our conversations be done with love. Not everyone in the church shares the same views on the crises. Instead of coming together looking to educate others on why we stand where we do, can we come with an open heart to hear the place our brothers and sisters in Christ are at in this situation?
Some verses that the elders and I considered as we made decisions were the following:
1 Corinthians 10:23 “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.”·
Romans 14:13 “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.”
Romans 14:19 “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
Each and every precaution was weighed before God. We recognize there are many varied opinions of how best to respond to this virus and what precautions should be taken. The elders and I are asking the attenders of Riverwood to join us in the following precautions, even if you disagree with them. We each should be considerate of others in our body. For those who think our precautions are too stringent, we ask that you be considerate of those who, for their own reasons, believe them to be necessary. For those who think our precautions are lacking, we ask for grace as well. We are doing what we think we reasonably can manage while maintaining the ability to still hold services.
For any individual who feels uncomfortable returning, we want to assure you that the livestream will not stop. We will continue to reach out with calls, communion elements, and Facebook devotions. We also plan to make provisions for hybrid versions of our Bible studies. As studies begin to meet in person again, we are working toward having zoom available to join remotely for those who choose to remain at home.
The following are the precautions that we will follow at our initial return to Riverwood. We do not currently know a time frame for when we will begin to relax any of these. The elders and I will be evaluating the situation on a weekly basis.
- High Risk members and any person that is ill are strongly encouraged to stay home
- If you have shown signs of COVID-19, have been tested and are awaiting results or plan to be tested due to exposure or symptoms, we ask that you not attend.
- If an attender tests positive for COVID-19 or develops symptoms consistent with the virus, it is important that they notify the leadership of the church so that we may notify members in attendance of a possible exposure.
- Non-stage members are strongly asked to follow mask regulations unless health prohibits. We recognize this is a controversial issue for some. We are asking all adults to follow current regulations on masks in public places.
- Stage members will social distance as much as possible.
- We ask all attenders to social distance to the extent possible.
- There will continue to be limited staff office hours at the church building, phones continue to be redirected to Pastor’s home. While I may not be at the building, I am available anytime I’m not with another Riverwood attender.
- Checklists for disinfecting are being developed, including chairs and worship equipment in addition to normal cleaning.
- Doors will be propped open to limit touch. Restroom doors will remain closed with sanitizer nearby.
- Greeters will open entry doors, or they will be propped open.
- Ventilation will be increased as much as possible. We will likely have windows and doors open. Those with allergies please let us know if it causes a problem.
- Non-essential areas of building will be restricted
- There will not be coffee or donuts available
- There will not be a bulletin or handouts
- Communion / offering will be low contact
- Prepackaged communion will be dropped in people’s hands by a volunteer with gloves as they enter
- Onsite giving will be placed in stationary offering plates or the drop safe in Pastor’s office door.
- Services will be held in the Fellowship Hall. The chairs will allow for easier social distancing. The chairs are also much easier to disinfect.
- Non-essential or non-Riverwood use of building will be limited or prohibited
- There will not be Sunday School for any age initially
- There will not be a nursery available for now. Mothers are allowed to use the room as needed.
- Children’s church will be available for those parents who are comfortable sending their children.
- Small Group Activities (Youth, Rkids, Bible Studies) will occur in person if participants are willing. Hybrid options (joining via zoom) will be available.
- Board Meetings and Elder Meetings will be in person if participants willing. Hybrid options will remain available.
We greatly appreciate your grace and understanding in these times. I will do my best to communicate regularly any changes that will be coming. I am so appreciative of the many of you who have given extra time and dedication in this season.
For those who would like to continue to come alongside us in this journey, we are also looking for some help in a few areas.
I hope this finds you well. It is truly an honor to serve this church family. I love you all and am praying for you.
Pastor Matt
For those who would like to continue to come alongside us in this journey, we are also looking for some help in a few areas.
- We are looking for volunteers to assist our janitor in the disinfecting process. Please let me or an elder know if you can help.
- We are unsure of which volunteers will be returning immediately. If you are on our approved children’s workers list and would be available to help with children’s church, please let me or Zach Tinker know.
- We will be continuing to deliver communion to those who remain home each month. If you would like to volunteer to deliver those, let me know.
I hope this finds you well. It is truly an honor to serve this church family. I love you all and am praying for you.
Pastor Matt
