RE-IMAGINING church

Dear Payette United Methodist Family,

We have been approved to move into Phase two of our re-imagining plan. Here is the approved plan of how we may proceed:



Payette United Methodist Church Reimagining Church Reintegration Procedures

As an organization, we take responsibility for the safety of the people that come into our space by ensuring the proper safety precautions and sanitation is available. As a religious body, we are accountable for the welfare of those God entrusts to bring into His presence in our gatherings. Therefore, we created these policies and procedures to follow for the well-being of every soul that utilizes the church building and for all off campus gatherings of groups affiliated with our organization.

In the case of someone who has been in a worship service or meeting tests positive, we will have a precise accountability for each person that attends each meeting and/or worship service and a way to contact them to notify of positive case. Furthermore, all people in attendance will be asked not to return to the building for 14 days, and if they notice any symptoms, they will need to be tested as well.

We hold that all are welcome to attend our services; hence, even though those in the high risk category are encouraged to stay home, they have the right to choose whether or not they follow the guidance. Therefore, we will provide a safe place for a person to attend the worship service.

Phase One Policy:
Payette will hold no gatherings on the church grounds or off campus gatherings except for the required people to create an on-line service with no more than five individuals. These individuals will keep the physical distancing protocol and hygiene requirements. They are responsible for sanitizing the area used and for proper hygiene. The leader of this group will re-educate the group each time they meet of the proper safety precautions and hygiene.

Phase Two: Church Committee Meetings and the Bible Study will resume meeting with no more than ten people in the meeting. The leader of each group will take accountability to ensure the safety precautions and sanitation stations are available before and during the meetings. They will not meet in the church building due to the conference’s guidelines and will offer an online alternative to attend. After the meetings are concluded, it is the group leader’s responsibility to ensure the utilized space is cleaned properly.

Phase Three: Church Committee Meetings and Bible Study may resume in the building following the safety precautions and hygiene guidelines with no more than 50 people in attendance. The leader of each group will take accountability to ensure the safety precautions and sanitation stations are available before and during the meetings. After the meetings are concluded, it is the group leader’s responsibility to ensure the utilized space is cleaned properly.

Phase Four: Church services will resume and be held in the sanctuary of the church building. Hand sanitation stations will be provided. Education material will be posted at various locations in the building where people will notice them. Hand washing stations with proper hygiene steps and masks will be available. The sanctuary and fellowship hall will be cleaned and sanitized after each use until further notice.

Table of Contents
• High Risk Populations
• Physical Distancing
• Maximum Group Size
• Leadership Responsibilities
• Sanitation
• Safety Actions
• Staff and Volunteers
• Worship
• Ministry Activities and Events
• Building Use
• Community Connection and Outreach
• Essential Services
• Other Ministry Settings
• Communion • Lifeline Screening
• School Supply Fair
• Water Systems
• Food/Fellowship
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High Risk Populations 

• Will be encouraged to stay home and stay connected by receiving weekly telephone calls for phases two and three.
  
• Will receive services through internet media or CD format if they do not have the internet.
  
• When needed, will receive pastoral care.  
  

Physical Distancing 

• Will be monitored by group in phases 2 and three to ensure six feet distance.
  

Maximum Group Size

• Group leaders will ensure no more than 50 people attend
  
• Names will be written down with phone number. •
  

Leadership responsibilities

• Committee created to ensure safety policies are written and distributed.
  
• Committee members: Chair, Danny Crego, Members: Gary Olson, Leslie Olsen, Cris Warzyn, Dianne Kinney, and Pastor Jim Hardenbrook.
  
• Committee will review the policies and update as needed
  
• Committee will give the procedures to the Administration Board to review and edit as necessary.
  
• Create a list for ushers and educate ushers.
  
• Create a list for volunteers to sanitize the sanctuary after each use. •
  

Sanitation

• Rooms will be cleaned/sanitized after each use
  
• All surfaces will be wiped with soap and water, bleach water, or bleach wipes
  
• Do not dry any surfaces or rinse. It is to air dry to kill any any remnant of the Sars-Cov-2, Corona Virus.
  

Safety Actions 

• Facemasks will be available.
  
• In order to attend gatherings, individuals must wear facemasks for phases two and three and encouraged through phase four.
  
• Hand sanitizing stations will be available.
  
• The sanctuary will be wiped down and sprayed after each use.
  
• When services are conducted outside, families will bring their own chairs/blankets to sit on and take them home when the services are concluded.
  
• Usher will wear gloves.
  
• Education signs will be placed at sanitation areas, entrance, and sinks.
  
• Bathrooms will be analyzed for safety.
  

Staff and Volunteers

• Aside from the worship services, only office personnel and staff will utilize the building for phases two and three.
  
• The sanctuary will not be utilized aside from scheduled services.
  

Worship

• Worship team will compile pre-recorded audio music.
  
• Introduction to the procedures will be given before each service.
  
• The prayers of the people will be repeated by the leader.
  
• Worship services will be recorded for distribution to those who are unable to attend in person.
  
• Recorded video of services will be placed on the church’s website and Facebook page.
  
• No bullitens, hymnals, or Bibles will be handed out or utilized for worship services.
  

Ministry Activities and Events

• All activities that can be completed through Zoom will be encouraged to do so.
  
• Boy scouts will not utilize the building until phase three.
  

Building Use

• Office Secretary and Pastor will direct building usage.
  

Community Connection and Outreach

• Community outreach will continue with proper protocol.
  
• Hand sanitizer and masks will be used by outreach until further notice.
  

Essential Services

• Essential services will be provided with proper safety precautions.
  

Other Ministry Settings

• Online services and recorded services will continue to be offered throughout this period of isolation and through phase four.
  

Outdoor Meetings

• The group leader will ensure that physical distancing is followed.
  
• The group leader will have hand sanitizer for use.
  
• The group leader will clean the area before and after use
  
• The group leader will account for all people present
  
• The building will not be utilized for any reason when having outdoor worship/group meetings.
  

Communion

• Meditation on Communion will be conducted and led by worship leader.
  

 Water systems (drinking fountains).

• The Payette UMC will cover the one drinking fountain in the building and mark it with out of order.
  

Food/Fellowship

• There will be no food but may offer coffee and water bottles in phase four.
  
• Only one or two people will prepare the drinks for people; no one will serve themselves.
  
• Hand sanitation will take place before and after serving; they will not physically touch any person.
  
• A clean cup will be given for refills; disposable dishes only will be used.
  

These policies and procedures were created and are submitted by the Reintegration Committee on behalf of the Payette United Methodist Church.

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