For a Reason ~ For a Season

Otterbein United Methodist Church Policies and Procedures for Pandemic

Purpose:   To keep everyone as safe as possible in the midst of a highly contagious virus
and to ensure compliance with all applicable governmental and BWCUMC guidelines.

Safer at Home:

·         Stay home if you feel ill or have any symptoms of disease (cough, fever, etc.)

·         Those over 65 years of age and those with any pre-existing medical conditions that compromise their immunity are advised to not come to the church
 but to worship from home until the pandemic ends. 

·         Worship virtually from home at 11:00 a.m.

o   Facebook:  Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/otterbeinumcmartinsburg

o   Internet:  For those with internet but not on Facebook go to https://zoom.us/ and enter
Meeting ID: 886 6337 0629 and when prompted Password: 310715

o   Phone:  For those without internet you can call in from your telephone by dialing
1-301-715-8592 and entering Meeting ID: 886 6337 0629 followed by Password: 310715

o   Recorded services are available after Sunday on our YouTube channel: OUMCMARTINSBURG

Coming for Worship:

·         Come straight from home to church without stopping at other establishments to reduce possibility of bringing virus into church property.

·         Minimize the items you bring with you into church building (suggest that you do not bring printed material, no food or beverages, 
and ladies may wish to use a small washable handbag or bag that can be disinfected).

Arriving at Church:

·         Follow the direction of the safety team who will direct you to an available space. 

·         Park with a space between your vehicle and other vehicles to maintain social distance when exiting and entering your vehicle.

·         Put on face covering before you exit your vehicle. 

·         If you choose to wear gloves put them on before you leave your vehicle.  (Sanitizer is available inside the church for those not wearing gloves.)

·         Always maintain a minimum social distance of 6 feet between yourself and others.

Entering the Church:

·         Enter only through the portico entrance at the rear of the church.

·         Always maintain a minimum social distance of 6 feet

·         Face coverings are required.  If you are not wearing a face covering you will receive one from the safety team before you enter the building.

·         Wear face coverings over nose and mouth at all times while on church property including parking lot, hallways, common areas (Assembly Room, Sanctuary, Classrooms, Restrooms, etc.) and office spaces.

·         Hand sanitizing is required immediately upon entry into the building and hand washing or sanitizing after using restroom facilities or touching any common-use surfaces (door handles, handrails, light switches, etc.)

·         Check-in with our safety team who will ensure we have your name and phone number for contact tracing (this information will be used in the event you contract COVID 19 to contact all who had contact with you and will be used if anyone in worship contracts COVID 19 to let you know you’ve been exposed).

Restrooms 

·      Limited to one person at a time to maintain appropriate distance.  (Young children may be accompanied by parent or guardian.)

·      Hand washing for minimum of 20 seconds with soap and water following use of the facilities.

·      Use a clean paper towel to open door upon exiting.

In the Sanctuary

·         Maintain social distance of six feet. 

·         You will be guided to your seat by a member of the safety team.

·         People living in the same house may sit together without six feet of separation between household members.

·         No seating in the balcony.

·         No printed materials in the sanctuary.

·         No singing or unison speaking during the pandemic to reduce the amount of exhaled aerosol that could contain virus.

·         Remain seated until dismissal by rows to avoid congestion in hallways. 

·         Offering received upon exit from the sanctuary in designated box

Exiting the Church:

·         Altar Guild will remove flowers before congregation exits and take them outside for pick-up by donors.

·         Follow the direction of the safety team to the exit.

·         Maintain safe social distance of six feet between yourself and others.

·         Exit immediately upon conclusion of the service.

·         Exit only through the portico entrance at the rear of the church.

·         Wear face covering (and disposable gloves if you choose to wear them) until you are in your vehicle and dispose of these in a proper waste receptacle at home.

·         Exit the parking lot promptly to clear the way for others to safely get to their vehicles.

Discontinued until further notice are the following:

·         No Bulletins

·         No Greeters at Sanctuary entrance

·         No Lay Readers

·         No Coffee Hour:  No food or beverage in the building

·         No Sunday School for children, youth, and adults.

·         No Nursery or Children’s Church

·         No Small Group gatherings

·         No Renting to outside groups

·         No Card ministry table

·         No Prayer Request Sheet (Contact pastor by phone, text, or e-mail with requests)

·         No Registration Pads or Connection Cards

Remember It Is All
For a Reason ~ For a Season