N.C. Governor Roy Cooper’s Stay at home order extends through Friday, May 8
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following which we enter into the order/plan’s summarily described phase 1 (of 3 separate phases) which begins a process of gradually lifting restrictions and presenting a path toward the resumption of normal activities. Pastor Kevin and our senior staff met this past week to prepare a plan for Christ Covenant Church to likewise move forward based on guidance from the above described plan from North Carolina and other leading authorities and churches.
Following is a summary of the plan for Christ Covenant:
These plans are, of course, tentative plans based on the current situation and the best information out there. We will remain flexible with these plans, in case the pandemic worsens again at some point or if restrictions are lifted sooner than anticipated.
Short-term plan
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Church staff
- Our church staff will be allowed to return to regular working hours on campus on Monday, May 11 in a manner that is consistent with the N.C. order/plan that encourages allowing workers to tele-commute.
Sunday Worship
- We will continue to livestream worship services in the short-term.
Mid-range plan
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Sunday Worship
- we will continue to livestream worship services for the foreseeable future and beyond given the very positive response we have received.
- When guidance allows groups of 50-100 in worship services, we will evaluate limited attendance in worship services with a significant focus on a logical process, health and safety concerns, and best practices.
- When guidance allows groups of 300 and more in worship services, we will evaluate using multiple locations /services to accommodate gathering for worship services.
Sunday School and Nursery
– this is subject to guidance and evolving best practices, but currently we don’t anticipate in-person Sunday School programing or nursery for the balance of the summer. We hope to resume normal in-person Sunday School and nursery programing in the fall.
We have reviewed many detailed, thoughtful, and excellent re-opening plans from various churches and organizations as part of developing this plan. At this point we think it is wise to present the plan at a summary level. And we think it is worth repeating that all of the above information is based on the most recent guidance from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Center for Disease Control and other leading authorities and is subject to and expected to change. It is our sincere hope and prayer to re-gather as soon as possible while also maintaining a significant focus on the health, safety and well-being of our church family.
In Christ,
Tom Groelsema, Executive Pastor
Sandy Spitz, Senior Director of Church Administration
