Covid-19 Re-gathering plan
JUNE 15TH ANNOUNCEMENT
For the people of God, there is nothing like being with one another in person! We have missed this over the past 3 months. Well, that is about to change! This change won’t come all at once, but starting Sunday, June 21st we are taking an important and joyful step forward. The following is our rationale and process for gathering in person once again.
As a church, we have been compliant and patient during the coronavirus crisis. This was good and necessary as the seriousness of the situation demanded it. At this point, however, it has been determined by the elders of Citipoint Church that the emergency has lessened and the work of the gospel will be hindered if we continue to only provide Sunday ministry online.
Over the past few weeks a stark observation has been made. With the protests and demonstrations being held throughout the country, those policing them have had to make a very important decision. They could either allow people to exercise their 1st Amendment right to assemble or they could enforce the Covid-19 social distancing restrictions. They chose the former and it was the right decision. In keeping with this mentality, Citipoint Church is going to exercise its 1st Amendment right to the free exercise of religion by once again gathering in-person beginning Sunday, June 21st. That said, we are NOT throwing caution to the wind.
We have prepared the required Comprehensive Covid-19 Exposure Control, Mitigation, and Recovery Plan and will be adhering to CDC guidelines as well as the State of Washington Covid-19 Requirements for Phase 1 & 2. Our adherence to State requirements will have a single exception, that of face coverings being worn on the platform. Nonetheless, those on the platform will practice social distancing with one another and will be a minimum of 15’ from the congregation. We determined this exception based on a conviction that we will not hinder the communication of the gospel whether in preaching, teaching, or singing by shielding it behind a mask. It has also been observed numerous times over the past few weeks that our state and local civic leaders consistently remove their masks when addressing the public. We understand why they would do this. We believe this exception to be reasonable as we are complying with the other requirements.
We are asking 7 commitments from every participant:
Online & In-person Gatherings: June 21+ (end date of phase 2 TBA)
In keeping with the Phase 2 guidelines, beginning June 21st, the church will begin holding in-person gatherings along with the online platform.
The Church’s Comprehensive Covid-19 Exposure Control, Mitigation, and Recovery Plan outlines the necessary precautions the church will take and the responses the church will make to ensure that our facility and people are kept as safe as possible.
For the people of God, there is nothing like being with one another in person! We have missed this over the past 3 months. Well, that is about to change! This change won’t come all at once, but starting Sunday, June 21st we are taking an important and joyful step forward. The following is our rationale and process for gathering in person once again.
As a church, we have been compliant and patient during the coronavirus crisis. This was good and necessary as the seriousness of the situation demanded it. At this point, however, it has been determined by the elders of Citipoint Church that the emergency has lessened and the work of the gospel will be hindered if we continue to only provide Sunday ministry online.
Over the past few weeks a stark observation has been made. With the protests and demonstrations being held throughout the country, those policing them have had to make a very important decision. They could either allow people to exercise their 1st Amendment right to assemble or they could enforce the Covid-19 social distancing restrictions. They chose the former and it was the right decision. In keeping with this mentality, Citipoint Church is going to exercise its 1st Amendment right to the free exercise of religion by once again gathering in-person beginning Sunday, June 21st. That said, we are NOT throwing caution to the wind.
We have prepared the required Comprehensive Covid-19 Exposure Control, Mitigation, and Recovery Plan and will be adhering to CDC guidelines as well as the State of Washington Covid-19 Requirements for Phase 1 & 2. Our adherence to State requirements will have a single exception, that of face coverings being worn on the platform. Nonetheless, those on the platform will practice social distancing with one another and will be a minimum of 15’ from the congregation. We determined this exception based on a conviction that we will not hinder the communication of the gospel whether in preaching, teaching, or singing by shielding it behind a mask. It has also been observed numerous times over the past few weeks that our state and local civic leaders consistently remove their masks when addressing the public. We understand why they would do this. We believe this exception to be reasonable as we are complying with the other requirements.
We are asking 7 commitments from every participant:
- Register online. We have limited capacity. (At this point in time, in order to maintain proper social distancing, only ages 8 years and older will be able to attend our gatherings.)
- Wear a face covering. Please do this out of care for others if not for yourself.
- Practice social distancing. This won't be easy, but for now please make the commitment.
- Follow the "flow of traffic" as outlined throughout the facility.
- Read our Comprehensive Exposure Control, Mitigation, and Recovery Plan and do your part in it.
- Enter through the main entrance doors (south side of building)
- Exit the premises shortly after the conclusion of the gathering, which will allow others to enter for the next gathering.
Online & In-person Gatherings: June 21+ (end date of phase 2 TBA)
In keeping with the Phase 2 guidelines, beginning June 21st, the church will begin holding in-person gatherings along with the online platform.
The Church’s Comprehensive Covid-19 Exposure Control, Mitigation, and Recovery Plan outlines the necessary precautions the church will take and the responses the church will make to ensure that our facility and people are kept as safe as possible.
For the In-person Gatherings:
- Total attendance will be limited to 50 (excluding church staff)
- Participants will be limited to 40 people as the other 10 allowed will be an essential volunteer team conducting the gatherings.
- Participants will be limited to 40 people as the other 10 allowed will be an essential volunteer team conducting the gatherings.
- Participants will need to register to attend
- Using the Church Center App.
- 12-years-old and up (we are unable to accomodate nursery & elementary age ministry)
- Using the Church Center App.
- There will be 2 gatherings each Sunday morning; 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM
- In the event that 2 gatherings doesn’t prove to be adequate, more will be added.
- In the event that 2 gatherings doesn’t prove to be adequate, more will be added.
- The gatherings will be 1 hour in length
- Drip coffee will be served. The cafe will not be open.
- The main doors on the south side of the building will be the only entrance and exits utilized.
MAY 30, 2020 ANNOUNCEMENT
The Citipoint Church Leadership Team has had time to study and talk through the State of Washington’s requirements for churches to meet in-person. We have concluded that these requirements do not allow for a meaningful in-person gathering of the church. They are simply too restrictive. Further, the new restrictions on house-churches preclude us from offering them as a viable 2nd option during phase 2. We hope that these restrictions will be lessened as we move into Phase 3 (presently scheduled for June 22nd).
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Friday, May 29th that State Governor’s are working within their rights to impose such restrictions during a state of emergency. So, it is the law of the land for now. Many of us are understandably frustrated with our present situation. However, we must keep our wits about us and remember that we belong to Jesus. He is not absent or idle in this present crisis. We must remember that while gathering as a church is good and necessary, being the church is the heart of the matter. Let us be prayerful and patient, loving those around us and overcoming evil with good.
In Summary: Citipoint Church will continue to offer it’s online “gathering” for the remainder of Phase 1 and through Phase 2. In-person gatherings and house-churches will not be offered as official ministries of the church during Phase 1 and 2. Please note, we are not attempting to control who you invite into your own homes, only making clear what is officially being offered as a ministry of the church.
We will continue to provide nursery and kids’ ministries curriculum and resources for families for Sundays. These can be coordinated through Jordan Paris and Monika Denton.
We encourage everyone who is part of the Citipoint family to read the requirements: https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/COVID19Phase1and2ReligiousAndFaithBasedGuidance.pdf
and share your thoughts with Gov. Inslee: https://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/contact/send-gov-inslee-e-message.
As a kind reminder, stating your mind while maintaining a respectful tone is usually more effective than venting.
Citipoint Church is establishing 3 ways in which we can gather as the church in light of the Covid-19 pandemic (1) Online, (2) House-church, (3) In-person. These options are in keeping with the timelines and protocols established by our state’s government. However, we may adjust our dates if the state alters the dates for the phases.
As a leadership team we realize that there are vastly different views on what is happening and what could happen with all this. It is hard to know what is reliable and what isn’t. Our approach is to be faithfully cautious, rather than rash. We desire to get back to in-person gatherings ASAP, but to re-gather too early and have a large breakout of COVID-19 cases could cast the church in a bad light within our community. That would not be helpful to the cause of the gospel.
The Citipoint Church Leadership Team has had time to study and talk through the State of Washington’s requirements for churches to meet in-person. We have concluded that these requirements do not allow for a meaningful in-person gathering of the church. They are simply too restrictive. Further, the new restrictions on house-churches preclude us from offering them as a viable 2nd option during phase 2. We hope that these restrictions will be lessened as we move into Phase 3 (presently scheduled for June 22nd).
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Friday, May 29th that State Governor’s are working within their rights to impose such restrictions during a state of emergency. So, it is the law of the land for now. Many of us are understandably frustrated with our present situation. However, we must keep our wits about us and remember that we belong to Jesus. He is not absent or idle in this present crisis. We must remember that while gathering as a church is good and necessary, being the church is the heart of the matter. Let us be prayerful and patient, loving those around us and overcoming evil with good.
In Summary: Citipoint Church will continue to offer it’s online “gathering” for the remainder of Phase 1 and through Phase 2. In-person gatherings and house-churches will not be offered as official ministries of the church during Phase 1 and 2. Please note, we are not attempting to control who you invite into your own homes, only making clear what is officially being offered as a ministry of the church.
We will continue to provide nursery and kids’ ministries curriculum and resources for families for Sundays. These can be coordinated through Jordan Paris and Monika Denton.
We encourage everyone who is part of the Citipoint family to read the requirements: https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/COVID19Phase1and2ReligiousAndFaithBasedGuidance.pdf
and share your thoughts with Gov. Inslee: https://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/contact/send-gov-inslee-e-message.
As a kind reminder, stating your mind while maintaining a respectful tone is usually more effective than venting.
Citipoint Church is establishing 3 ways in which we can gather as the church in light of the Covid-19 pandemic (1) Online, (2) House-church, (3) In-person. These options are in keeping with the timelines and protocols established by our state’s government. However, we may adjust our dates if the state alters the dates for the phases.
As a leadership team we realize that there are vastly different views on what is happening and what could happen with all this. It is hard to know what is reliable and what isn’t. Our approach is to be faithfully cautious, rather than rash. We desire to get back to in-person gatherings ASAP, but to re-gather too early and have a large breakout of COVID-19 cases could cast the church in a bad light within our community. That would not be helpful to the cause of the gospel.
OUR RE-GATHERING PLAN IS AS FOLLOWS:
Online: March 16 - June 21st (14 weeks)
In keeping with the Phase 1 & 2 guidelines, the church will continue to provide an online “gathering” until after June 21st. The online “gathering” can be accessed via the church’s website, YouTube channel, and Facebook page.
Online: March 16 - June 21st (14 weeks)
In keeping with the Phase 1 & 2 guidelines, the church will continue to provide an online “gathering” until after June 21st. The online “gathering” can be accessed via the church’s website, YouTube channel, and Facebook page.
Online, House-churches, & In-person Gatherings: June 28 - July 12 (3 weeks)
In keeping with the Phase 3 guidelines, the church will continue to provide live online “gatherings” and house-churches while we reinstate a modified version of our in-person gatherings.
During this phase we will offer 2 live in-person gatherings at 9:00 & 10:30 AM. We will also continue with our online and house-church options.
For the In-person Gatherings:
- Total attendance per gathering will be limited to 50 through July 12. Participants will be required to pre-register online or through the Church Center App. [Registration Opening Soon]
- Please note that due to the C-19 restrictions and the nature of nursery and kids’ ministries we are unable to accommodate children under the age of 12. Those who have children under the age of 12 are encouraged to participate in the online “gatherings” or a house-church during these 3 weeks.
- The gatherings will be 1 hour in length. This will afford sufficient time between the gatherings so that we can maintain proper social distancing guidelines.
- Drip coffee will be available but the cafe will not be open yet.
- PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) will be provided.
The protocols for the online and house-church “gatherings” remain the same during this phase other than the size of the house-churches can be expanded and they will be able to participate in a live version of the online “gathering” either at 9:00 or 10:30 AM. In addition, age-appropriate resources will be provided for house-churches that have children in attendance.
The New Normal: July 19th+
In keeping with the Phase 4 guidelines, the church will be able to gather again without restrictions but with new guidelines. The guidelines will be outlined as we get closer to July 19th.