A limited reopening of our sanctuary is scheduled for Reformation Sunday, October 25
• Starting Monday, October 19, email or call the church office at 630-668-5147 between 8:30 a.m. on Monday and 4:30 p.m. on Friday to make a reservation for the upcoming Sunday service.
• Social distancing of six feet will be maintained between attendees who are not part of the same family.• Every other pew/row will be utilized.
• Seating arrangements will allow for a maximum of four people or one family per pew/row.
• Face masks will be required for everyone over the age of two.
• The sanctuary will be cleaned and sanitized before and after each service.
Scripture calls us to gather in community. Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I’m there with them” (Matthew 18:20).
This Reopening Plan comes from a thought out, prayerful process for the resumption of indoor activities at First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton. Having been unable to gather inside the church for many months, this plan supports safely coming together in community through the physical use of our facility. The guidelines we will follow are informed by the CDC and Illinois Department of Health, as well as the Presbytery of Chicago and other local congregations who have resumed indoor worship and ministries.
First Pres Facility Manager Scott Rice, along with the Reopening Group, has developed a responsible Reopening Plan as we move from outdoor to indoor gatherings.
As the number of Covid-19 infections rise in Illinois again, we will watch our local metrics diligently. In preparation for our reopening, please follow the necessary precautions not only for yourself, but also for others’ sake. Particularly if you are on the church campus, we ask everyone to adhere to the mask protocols and the other advisories so that we may continue moving ahead with our variety of ministry efforts.
Worship in the sanctuary with limited attendance will resume Sunday, October 25
• An online reservation will be required to attend worship. See the Sanctuary Reservations information above.
• Based on the current Illinois guidelines, we are welcoming a more limited number of people into the sanctuary for in-person worship.
• For now, worship will be offered at 10:00 a.m., both in-person and livestream, with additional services considered moving forward.
• All those entering the facility must be wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing at all times. If you have forgotten your mask or have a malfunction with the one you are wearing, a mask can be provided.
• Hand sanitizer stations are available at all entrances as well as throughout the facility for those who wish to use them.
• All guests will enter through the Rotunda entrance (Door #2). Ushers will greet each worshiper and verify them on the reservation list (this is to allow confirmation of each guest in the event any contact tracing is required). Guests will be seated and invited to remain in their seats until the completion of worship.
• Anyone exhibiting symptoms as laid out by the CDC and the State of Illinois Health Department for Covid-19 are asked to worship at home. If at any time after making a reservation you exhibit any symptoms, please cancel your reservation.
• Those with any health concerns are encouraged to be cautious. We realize attending worship is ultimately a personal choice.
• Attendees are encouraged use the restroom before coming to church.
• Please keep all personal articles (hats, coat, gloves etc.) with you at all times. The coat room areas will be closed for use.
• All hymnals and Bibles have been temporarily removed from the sanctuary. However, we encourage attendees to bring their personal Bibles. Scripture and song lyrics will be displayed on the sanctuary monitors. Bulletins can be printed at home or viewed on electronic devices.
• At the end of worship, ushers will dismiss each row. Those on the eastside of the sanctuary will exit through the Rotunda and those on the westside will exit through the Narthex.
• The desire for the human connection of worshipping together, particularly during a time of crisis, is understandable. If you wish to have fellowship after worship, please gather outside on the church campus.
• As a precaution, there will be no coffee service until further notice. The Rotunda water fountain by the elevator will be unavailable.
• It is our desire to celebrate the sacrament of communion during worship in a safe and responsible way. Further details will be provided.
• We ask all attendees, in the event of a COVID positive test, to notify the church office as soon as possible, so we can ascertain all possible ramifications.
• Ushers and deacons will assist with maintaining protocols at each service.
• We look forward to welcoming kids and students back to worship. While Sunday morning childcare and Sunday School will resume at a future date, all ages are welcome for worship in the sanctuary.
Groups may gather in the church starting Monday, October 19
Gatherings of less than 15 people
• All those entering the facility must be wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing at all times. If you have forgotten your mask or have a malfunction with the one you are wearing, a mask can be provided. Hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the facility.
• Each small group coordinator/organizer must submit space requests to the church office.
• All requests are on a first come, first served basis. We realize groups may have preferences for their desired location. Spaces will be determined based on the size of the group and the ability to maintain social distancing. Reservations will be available with at least one hour between events. Sufficient time will be required to sanitize and prepare the rooms.
• As with the worship, small group meeting attendance will be kept. This will allow for contact tracing in the event an attendee does become COVID positive.
• When using the larger restrooms, only two people are allowed at any one time.
• All meeting attendees will be encouraged to wipe down all surfaces and furniture they used within the immediate area. Cleaning wipes will be provided.
Gatherings of more than 15 people
• Large groups will be given the same procedural requirements as worship. Larger gatherings will require use of a reservation system and follow directions for entering and exiting the building. Social distancing must be observed and occupancy must be within established guidelines.
• Event coordinators will be responsible for each attendee’s accountability within the facility.
• All attendees must stay within their meeting areas.
• All personal items are to stay with each person. Coat rooms are closed for now. Use of water fountains will not be available. Personal water bottles are encouraged as needed.
• Custodial services will clean areas of use on a daily basis and between group gatherings.
• In addition to the cleaning the facility, the church has purchased a fogger unit that will use IDPH approved sanitizer mist for gathering areas. This will allow for an added level of protection and give all who visit the assurance that we are doing all that we can to provide safe gathering spaces.
The Reopening Group will continue to monitor COVID levels in DuPage County and follow recommendations from the Health Department. We pray that the reopening of our facility will support the continuation of our mission to invite all generations into a growing life with Jesus Christ.
The Reopening Group will continue to monitor COVID levels in DuPage County and follow recommendations from the Health Department. We pray that the reopening of our facility will support the continuation of our mission to invite all generations into a growing life with Jesus Christ.
Erin Y.
715 North Carlton Avenue
Wheaton, Illinois 60187-4020
phone: 630-668-5147
office@firstpreswheaton.org
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