COVID-19 Re Entry Plan

Announcement (June 30, 2020)

The congregational boards have each approved the plan (see full document below or print COVID19 Re-Entry Plan) for re-entry to our buildings. Worship for July will be 9:30am at Bethany in East River St. Mary’s, 11:00am at St. John’s in Sherbrooke, and 7:00pm at Kirk Memorial in Glenelg.

-Hand sanitizer will be available.

-The wearing of masks is encouraged. (As of July 31, 2020, the wearing of masks in all public buildings in the Province of Nova Scotia is mandatory.)

-Physical distancing must be respected (6ft) and pews/seating will be marked for adequate physical distancing.

-No congregational singing, passing of the collection plate (plate will be available at the back), or shaking hands.

-People are reminded to have increased hygiene, and if sick, to stay home.

Please note that online worship options will continue to be available. We recognize that there are those in high risk categories who need to continue to avoid gatherings, and those who are simply not comfortable at this time.

St. Mary’s Pastoral Charge – COVID-19 Re Entry Plan (June 20, 2020)

-Minister will call a meeting of the board chairs, secretary, treasurers and chair of Ministry and Personnel, in a space where cleaning has taken place and physical distancing can be observed. Hand Sanitizer and washrooms will be available, masks provided and can be worn if desired. A formal re-entry plan will be discussed and created based on the Province of Nova Scotia public health regulations and guidelines provided by the United Church of Canada.

-Re-entry plan will be proposed to congregational boards for adoption. The boards will serve as re-entry committees. Approved plans will be distributed online and printed copies made available in advance of re-entry.

-Each congregation will be responsible to have a small team to completely clean and disinfect buildings. Cleaning supplies, gloves and masks will be provided.

-At each entrance there will be instructional posters, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and masks available.

-A record will be kept of who was in the building, date, time and purpose for the gathering.

-Physical distancing must be respected. Pews/Seating will be marked for adequate physical distancing. No shaking hands.

-No congregational or choir singing. Soloists must be at safe distances from each other and from the congregation. Hymn books will be wiped clean and stored away.

-No coffee hour or community meals.

-No passing of the collection plate. Plate will be available at the back. Counters will be provided gloves, masks, sanitizer and will wash hands before and after counting money. Treasurers also will be provided gloves and masks.

-Parishioners and church leaders will be reminded if sick to avoid coming to church and to have increased hygiene. Wearing of masks will be encouraged. (As of July 31, 2020, the wearing of masks in all public buildings in the Province of Nova Scotia is mandatory.)

-Building will be cleaned more often, “particularly high touch areas.” (e.g. after every gathering)

-If communion is offered: The officiant and servers must use hand sanitizer before offering communion. Individual pieces of bread and individual cups offered. Servers offer the bread and cup to each person rather than each person taking them from a communal plate or tray. Each communicant places their empty cup into a separate receptacle. Disposable cups should be used.

-For infant baptism, the parents should be the only ones to hold the baby. The officiant will sanitize hands before the baptism. For infant, child and adult baptism, water will come from individual cups or a bottle for each person, not the common font. If possible, a separate bowl that sits in the font for each individual who will be baptized.

-Weddings and Funerals will need to follow our government restrictions and if they happen in the church physical distancing will need to be maintained and thorough cleaning right after will need to be followed.

-Pastoral and community activities will be limited and precautions followed, at the discretion of the minister.

-Online worship options will continue to be available especially for those in high risk categories who need to continue to avoid group activities.

-If the public health authority recommends closing our buildings again, we will be prepared to have worship resources available online and in print and will communicate through our board structure.

-We will continue to be informed and follow all Province of Nova Scotia public health regulations.