C7 Church,

We will be doing our best to comply with the Governors guidance. For your understanding, please note there is a difference between guidance and directive. The guidance is not enforceable, so I do not want you to be nervous about being fined for not complying. Our goal is to keep people at C7 safe. When it comes to wearing the masks, I have had push back from both sides of the issue. Personally, I am not a fan of mandatory masks. I know some of you aren't either, although we want to cooperate with the Governors request as much as possible. The time is coming soon when this virus will be in our rear view mirror.

In addition to the Governor’s guidance, we will be handing out lanyards at the door for those who want to adhere strictly to social distancing. Please bring your own masks as we will not have any available. The availability of hand sanitizer has been limited so bring your own personal sanitizer if possible. We will have some available for those who do not have any. Reminder, there will be no nursery provided. The main objective is to get through this season as safely as possible and in great unity. Please, no matter what side of the issue you fall on, show people grace and consideration during this time. The enemy would love to divide the church over this situation. Just say “no” to division.

I can’t wait to see you Sunday!!

Blessings, Pastor Gary

Supporting Information for the Guidance for Places of Worship:

Houses of worship are strongly encouraged to continue to offer online platforms for participation in worship because it is not yet advisable/feasible for all congregants to come for in-person services.

To reduce confusion and wasted travel, advise congregants in advance to continue to worship via online platforms at home if………..

o They have had a fever of 100.4 ̊ or higher in the past 2 days

o They have cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell or other

symptoms typical of Covid-19

o They are 65 or more years old or have underlying health conditions including high blood

pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, severe obesity, asthma or immunocompromising

conditions—ie., if they meet the criteria for “vulnerable individuals” as set forth in the White

House/CDC Guidelines for Opening Up America Again

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Guidelines-for-

Opening-Up-America-Again.pdf?mod=article_inline

o They have young children who are unable to adhere to physical distancing guidelines

• To reduce confusion and wasted travel, advise congregants in advance that no one will be admitted into the building without a face covering except for children under 10 years old.Alternatively, offer face coverings at the door for those who don’t have one.In sanctuaries where seats cannot be moved, the physical distancing of seating might be accomplished by cordoning off every other row of seating or using painters tape to mark 6’ distances on benches or pews.Christian churches that practice Holy Communion need to create ways to do this that minimize the handling of the Elements by anyone other than the intended recipients. For example, commercially packaged sacraments could be distributed to people as they enter the sanctuary, to consume at the appropriate time during the service. Face coverings may be removed briefly only for the consumption of these Elements.Synagogues where congregants traditionally touch and reverence the Torah need to create ways to do so without physical contact, aside from the Torah bearer.Instead of passing offering plates, a receptacle for offerings could be placed by the sanctuary entrance/exit. The place of worship should also create means for congregants to give online.