COVID-19 Response Plan for Restoration Church 05.22.2020
Moving our church forward while facing the dual realities of a state government which seems to care very little about the essential nature of the church, and our God who tells us very plainly to obey the governing authorities because they are instituted by God (Romans 13:1), has been a challenge that none of us have been prepared for. And with the acknowledgment that we are all ill-equipped in and of ourselves to navigate these waters, here is what we will do at Restoration Church:
First, all decisions are bathed in prayer. Nothing of value or good can come without the blessing of God. We will continue to seek him first and foremost and we ask the congregation to do the same.
Next, we will meet this Sunday, May 24, with an outdoor service at Cary and Penney Johnson’s house. We will meet at our regular time and are asking those who will attend to bring a lawn chair and whatever else may be needed to address outdoor concerns (e.g. blanket, umbrella, insect repellent, etc). We will offer Sunday School in the Upper Room for third grade and under for those parents who would like to bring their children. We are suggesting that everyone keep social distancing guidelines in mind, however we all understand that children will not get this. That means that Sunday School teachers will not be able to enforce a strict distancing policy and parents need to be aware of this. The option is always open for children to sit and stay with parents if you decide to come to church.
If you feel that wearing a mask is in your best interest, please feel free to do that. They are not required and are only available in limited supply at the service, so bring your own if you want one. We are doing what we can to supply hand sanitizer, however this is still a very difficult product to obtain. Again, bring what makes you comfortable.
We are also looking at beginning our regular Bible studies and youth gatherings. If you were a part of any classes/studies outside of regular Sunday services, your leader will be calling you soon to inform you of how and when your group will start meeting again.
As we look to Sundays beyond this week, we will begin by using some of the social distancing guidelines that have been approved for other gatherings and open the church building by separating seating options, increasing room downstairs for video simulcast, and we are looking at adding seating at the ROC with a video simulcast to accommodate those who are in the higher risk categories. If you feel you have a higher risk but still want to be at church this may be an answer. As always, the lower level of the church will be available with the possible addition of an extra monitor in the main room. We are looking for this TV/monitor if you have an extra.
Sunday School will look much the same for the kids as it does this week except it will be held in the Church Schoolhouse and depending on how many teachers we have we may separate into the groups we had previously. Additionally, we will continue to use Facebook Live and urge those who decide not to join us physically to still join us virtually. None of this is ideal and there is still separation among us. However this does give us an opportunity to come together as one body, closer than all of us in our homes.
As we move forward, we must all understand our personal responsibility in maintaining our health—physical health, mental health, and also very importantly our spiritual health. In a very real way, our spiritual health is more essential now than at maybe anytime in the past. Gathering as God’s people is a significant part of our spiritual health. There will be those who will not understand that and will react in various ways. Our response needs to be one of sacrifice, humility, patience, and grace.
Please pray for our church and its’ leaders. And remember: We are not proceeding forward in defiance of our government, but in submission to our God.
In Christ,
Cary Johnson, Pastor of Vision and Leadership
Moving our church forward while facing the dual realities of a state government which seems to care very little about the essential nature of the church, and our God who tells us very plainly to obey the governing authorities because they are instituted by God (Romans 13:1), has been a challenge that none of us have been prepared for. And with the acknowledgment that we are all ill-equipped in and of ourselves to navigate these waters, here is what we will do at Restoration Church:
First, all decisions are bathed in prayer. Nothing of value or good can come without the blessing of God. We will continue to seek him first and foremost and we ask the congregation to do the same.
Next, we will meet this Sunday, May 24, with an outdoor service at Cary and Penney Johnson’s house. We will meet at our regular time and are asking those who will attend to bring a lawn chair and whatever else may be needed to address outdoor concerns (e.g. blanket, umbrella, insect repellent, etc). We will offer Sunday School in the Upper Room for third grade and under for those parents who would like to bring their children. We are suggesting that everyone keep social distancing guidelines in mind, however we all understand that children will not get this. That means that Sunday School teachers will not be able to enforce a strict distancing policy and parents need to be aware of this. The option is always open for children to sit and stay with parents if you decide to come to church.
If you feel that wearing a mask is in your best interest, please feel free to do that. They are not required and are only available in limited supply at the service, so bring your own if you want one. We are doing what we can to supply hand sanitizer, however this is still a very difficult product to obtain. Again, bring what makes you comfortable.
We are also looking at beginning our regular Bible studies and youth gatherings. If you were a part of any classes/studies outside of regular Sunday services, your leader will be calling you soon to inform you of how and when your group will start meeting again.
As we look to Sundays beyond this week, we will begin by using some of the social distancing guidelines that have been approved for other gatherings and open the church building by separating seating options, increasing room downstairs for video simulcast, and we are looking at adding seating at the ROC with a video simulcast to accommodate those who are in the higher risk categories. If you feel you have a higher risk but still want to be at church this may be an answer. As always, the lower level of the church will be available with the possible addition of an extra monitor in the main room. We are looking for this TV/monitor if you have an extra.
Sunday School will look much the same for the kids as it does this week except it will be held in the Church Schoolhouse and depending on how many teachers we have we may separate into the groups we had previously. Additionally, we will continue to use Facebook Live and urge those who decide not to join us physically to still join us virtually. None of this is ideal and there is still separation among us. However this does give us an opportunity to come together as one body, closer than all of us in our homes.
As we move forward, we must all understand our personal responsibility in maintaining our health—physical health, mental health, and also very importantly our spiritual health. In a very real way, our spiritual health is more essential now than at maybe anytime in the past. Gathering as God’s people is a significant part of our spiritual health. There will be those who will not understand that and will react in various ways. Our response needs to be one of sacrifice, humility, patience, and grace.
Please pray for our church and its’ leaders. And remember: We are not proceeding forward in defiance of our government, but in submission to our God.
In Christ,
Cary Johnson, Pastor of Vision and Leadership
