Coming Back to Church: Target Date September 2020

Posted by Union Chapel Communications Team on

UNION CHAPEL INDY'S
"COMING BACK TO CHURCH" PLAN

...is guided by the following principles:

  • Governor Holcomb’s direction for Indiana, as well as directives from Indianapolis and Marion County leadership.
  • The advice and direction from Bishop Trimble, the Indiana Conference UMC leader
  • Information from the Centers for Disease Control and the Indiana State Department of Health. 
  • Union Chapel Indy's own capacity to safely open and host in-person worship and activities.

Though we deeply desire to return to in-person worship, we know we must do so in the safest manner possible. Each stage outlined by the Governor is dependent on evidence that we have successfully blunted the spread of the virus and accomplished the goal of each of the 5 stages outlined. Union Chapel Indy will be using Indiana's Stage Plan as a reference for the church's reopening plan. (Learn more about Indiana's Back on Track plan at backontrack.in.gov/.)

At present, Union Chapel Indy is working toward opening in-person worship in the month of September. The public health emergency is dynamic and requirements change from day to day. Please note that the safety of a September opening will be continually evaluated and may be adjusted as real-time infection rates fluctuate. Check the church's website (unionchapelindy.org), social media sites, or call the office ( 317.846.3429) for last-minute information.

Union Chapel Indy will continue to follow CDC recommendations for appropriate workplace safety policies which include:

  • Social distancing and use of masks when moving about the building
  • Testing, isolating, and contact tracing; if a member of staff or volunteers test positive for COVID-19
  • Sanitation and cleaning procedures
  • Disinfection of common and high-traffic areas

During the current stage of reopening:

  • Union Chapel Indy requires persons to wear face masks while in the church. Governor Holcomb mandated that face masks must be worn while in public, including inside. Please be prepared to wear a mask when in the church.
  • The East door and handicapped entrance will be used for entry and exit of the building.
  • The staff has the option to return to work in the building. However, many are still working remotely or in staggered time slots. Please call, text, or email ahead before coming to the church to meet with staff.
  • The Northeast Cooperative Preschool and Kindergarten will operate in the lower level, exclusively. Please avoid the lower level -- and especially the classrooms and lower level restrooms -- as they are sanitized for the next day after each class. Your entering into these rooms will break the sanitary seal.
  • Church groups may schedule meetings on the church property now, for September. Contact hello@unionchapelindy.org for space and time slot availability. Outside groups, ministry partners, and community partners: please see meeting requirements at the end of this article.

COMING BACK TO WORSHIP

September 6, 2020

Construction concerns and the health emergency present complications that limit our activities and seating capacity. COVID-19 is still impacting our community and we will continue recommended health protocols for places of worship as published by the Indiana State Department of Health to protect members and guests.  In addition to onsite worship, we will continue to offer online worship.

Attending Worship:

  • You must call the church office for a reservation since social distancing limits our capacity: 317.846.3429. Please release your reservation in a timely manner if you choose not to attend. Every unused reservation is a seat that someone else would have enjoyed. Arrive by 10:00 a.m. Late arrivals might not be seated.
  • Our custodial staff is sanitizing thoroughly and frequently.
  • If you are 65 and above or have an underlying at-risk health condition, please prayerfully consider staying home to worship online as advised by the CDC.
  • Check yourself for the following COVID-19 symptoms. You must refrain from entering the building if you have any of them:
    • A fever of 100º F or greater
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Chills
    • Muscle pain
    • Headache
    • Sore throat
    • New loss of taste or smell

What to Expect When You Arrive for Worship

  • Please observe social distancing (minimum 6' distance).
  • Wearing face masks is mandated by Governor Holcomb.
  • For worship, enter the building from the east door, by 10:00 a.m. Late arrivals might not be seated.
  • Ushers will dismiss the congregation in an orderly fashion. Please exit the building immediately, as directed by our ushers, through the east door.
  • Do not linger to visit inside the building. Outside visits are encouraged within social distancing guidelines.
  • In September, there will be no separate children's worship or infant/toddler care.
  • You may bring your own donuts & coffee! Please dispose of any refuse in the proper trash receptacles. Leave nothing behind in the pews.
  • There will be no congregational singing -- but there will be music! Hum, clap, and tap toes, as inspired.
  • We will observe "touchless worship" with no hymnals, or worship folder. 
  • A "touchless offering" will be received in boxes/plates at the entrance and exit of the Sanctuary. Tithes and offerings are always accepted online and on the Union Chapel App.
  • On Communion Sundays, Union Chapel Indy will provide sealed, sanitary packets. Please deposit any refuse into a marked trash container. Leave nothing in the pews.

FOR OUR MINISTRY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS: SMALL GROUP GATHERINGS

Beginning September 2020

We do love and value our partners! In this season, COVID-19 and building construction considerations will limit our ability to support your activities and usual seating capacities, but we do wish to welcome your group within the current safety guidelines.

Union Chapel Indy will continue all recommended "health protocols for places of worship" as published by the Indiana State Department of Health to protect our members, guests, and staff.

Before attending an onsite meeting:

  • If you are 65 and above or have an underlying at-risk health condition, please prayerfully consider staying home.
  • Check yourself for the following COVID-19 symptoms. You must refrain from entering the building if you have any of them:
    • A fever of 100º F or greater
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Chills
    • Muscle pain
    • Headache
    • Sore throat
    • New loss of taste or smell

All previous access codes have changed. To arrange an onsite meeting you must schedule a reservation with the church office (including any meeting on the grounds outside the building) and you will be issued a new code at that time. Please call: 317.846.3429 to book your reservation at least one week in advance.

The health emergency is still a dynamic situation. Please be sure your leader's contact information is current with the front office when you make your reservation, as scheduled meetings may need to be adjusted due to local regulation, with little lead time.

- Your group must keep to the area immediate to your meeting room. Do not enter other areas within the church or venture into the construction zone for any reason.

- Group sizes must be regulated by social distancing.

- It is not recommended that small children enter the church at this time. Any children attending classes must not be allowed to wander the building beyond their immediate assigned classroom, and must be in the company of their teachers or parents at all times. Siblings of attendant children should remain outside the building with a parent or guardian.

- Smoking is strictly forbidden on the entire church property.

- Please designate someone within your group to use the provided supplies to sanitize surfaces and doorknobs as you leave.

- Refuse must be placed in the proper trash containers.

- Please leave nothing behind, including class materials. Any materials left behind will be discarded the same evening by the night cleaning team.

- Groups that do not meet these requirements will not be invited to return and may be charged for damages or additional cleaning.

Friends, far from wanting to seem inhospitable, these rules have been adopted to help us maintain the safest atmosphere possible in this time of health emergency and building construction. We're in this together. We long for a future time when we can freely congregate and safely offer broader hospitality. Thank you for being a part of the ministry and mission of Union Chapel Indy! 

 

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