SAFER AT HOME: PHASE THREE
RELIGIOUS SERVICES
SCOPE: Religious services.
PHASE 3: Religious services must be conducted according to the following requirements.
Given the public health implications of the 2020 global pandemic, the Commonwealth’s diverse faith community quickly adjusted in response to this unprecedented crisis.
Mandatory Requirements:
Religious services must strictly adhere to the following requirements:
- Individuals attending religious services must be seated at least six feet apart at all times and must practice physical distancing at all times. Family members, as defined in Executive Order 61, Order of Public Health Emergency Three, may be seated together. Mark seating in six-foot increments.
- Any items used to distribute food or beverages must be disposable and used only once and discarded.
- A thorough cleaning and disinfection of frequently contacted surfaces must be conducted prior to and following any religious service. Post signage at the entrance that states that no one with a fever or symptoms of COVID-19, or known exposure to a COVID-19 case in the prior 14 days, is permitted in the establishment.
- Post signage to provide public health reminders regarding social distancing, gatherings, options for high risk individuals, and staying home if sick (samples at the bottom of this document).
- If any place of worship cannot adhere to the above requirements, it must not conduct in-person services.
These excerpts cover the “Mandatory Requirements” for religious services directly from the Virginia Governor’s Phase Three Guidelines. To view them for yourself as well as additional resources, follow this link and go to page 33: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/governor-of-virginia/pdf/Forward-Virginia-Phase-Three-Guidelines.pdf
We commit to do everything we can to follow these requirements. In coordination with the Colonial Heights Community Center, these are the following requirements and guidelines for The Reach Church:
Our in-person services will be socially distanced according to Phase 3 in the following ways:
- Families/households will be seated together with 10 feet between family groups. This will allow us to sing and worship freely in accordance with the VA State Guidelines.
- The maximum occupancy of the Community Center is limited to no more than 95 people.
- We will provide single use face masks and hand sanitizer at the door. While not mandatory, the use of face masks is highly recommended while inside the building.
- Everyone helping to put away tables and chairs after service will be provided a pair of gloves to handle the furniture after it has been wiped down with sanitizer.
- Childcare is available only for children ages 3 and younger. Please remember that we are a nut-free environment.
Will I be required to wear a mask?
No. Beyond the listed required precautions and guidelines set by the Governor, The Reach Church will leave additional precautions up to each person as they see fit.
Moving Forward
We will continue to post the sermon message for each Sunday online for your viewing.
If you have concerns about entering the building, please do not feel that you must come to the in-person service at the moment. As much as we love having each person present for our services, we respect the choice of the individual to take the precautions they deem necessary during this time.
Please make use of our online resources, continue to fill out your prayers requests, and keep in contact with your brothers and sisters in Christ by any means possible.
Your pastors will do their best to keep in contact with The Reach Church members, especially those unable to attend. However, we are all one church body and must initiate communication with one another. “Go First.” Please remember that this is a difficult time for everyone and we are all doing our best. We must extend grace to ourselves and others as we navigate these unprecedented times.
Keep your heart open to others, showing love and kindness however you can. Be the light in the darkness. Stay in God’s Word. Sing worship in your home. Pray without ceasing.
