Safely Resuming Morning Worship
Due to the rise in Covid-19 in our area, all indoor in-person activities have been suspended. When we feel it is responsible to do so, we will begin again. Please read below to learn about all the safety measures we will be taking when we are back together again!
We continue offering online worship, with our service being streamed on our homepage and YouTube page. As always, please keep in mind that this situation is fluid. We will be monitoring conditions related to Covid-19, and our policies and procedures will be modified as needed. While it is our hope and prayer to be back in-person soon, we will do what we feel is best for the health of our members and guests.
Who can come?
As always, all are welcome to worship with us! However, we encourage those who are vulnerable, for any reason, to consider continuing worshiping at home via our livestream and Zoom meetings. Also, please stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, if you have been exposed to anyone with Covid-19, or if you have traveled out of the country in the last 14 days.
How many can attend?
Worship in-person will be limited to no more than 20 people (depending on family units) and will be by reservation.
How can I make a reservation?
Reservations will be made three ways, and all will be equally accepted. You may make a reservation by calling the Church Office (205-822-1124), by emailing Betsy Murphy (bets_southmin@bellsouth.net) or by filling out the Reservation Form on the homepage of our website.
I'm a visitor. May I come to worship?
Absolutely! If you would like to visit our church once we resume in-person, indoor, please call the Church Office at (205) 822-1124 to check availability and make a reservation for worship. We would love to have you worship with us! Additionally, we would love to see you at one of our outdoor worship opportunities! For more information, call (205) 822-1124.
Is childcare provided?
We are not offering a nursery at this time. However, all ages are welcome to join us for worship, wiggles and all! Children's bulletins, coloring sheets, and sanitized supplies will be provided in your pew.
What safety precautions are being taken as you re-open?
Everyone entering the church will be required to have their temperature taken by an usher before being allowed in the Sanctuary. If your temperature is over 99.5 degrees, you will not be able to enter.
Masks, or cloth face coverings, will be required while in the church building. If you do not have one, the church will have some available. Masks must be worn over the mouth and nose at all times.
Attendees must maintain a 6-foot distance between them and anyone not from their household. This includes:
- maintaining 6-foot distance while entering and exiting the building. There will be markings to help with this.
- no physical contact (hugs, handshakes, high-fives, etc.)
- maintaining 6-foot distance while seated in worship.
On arrival, you will be escorted to your seat by an usher. At the end of the service you will be dismissed by row, and asked to exit the same way you entered. Please refrain from congregating in the Narthex following the service.
Southminster encourages minimal contact with "high-touch surfaces." This means we will:
- remove hymnals, pew pads, and other shared items from the pews.
- place "no-touch" offering plates at the entrance of the Sanctuary. We still encourage you to send your offering in by mail, or to utilize our option for online giving. (Online Giving Portal)
- provide hand sanitizer stations throughout the building.
Southminster will follow CDC guidelines to disinfect our building. This will include:
- regularly disinfecting high touch point areas throughout the building, including restrooms.
- disinfecting the Sanctuary following all worship services.
Restroom use will be limited to the two restrooms in Grace Hall. Restroom use is limited to one individual or family unit at a time. If you need to use the restroom during the worship service, we ask that you exit the Sanctuary the same way you entered, and re-enter the building through the Grace Hall doors.
Our full plan, as well as the resources we use to come to these decisions can be found here.
If you have any questions about these procedures, please contact the church office at 205-822-1124!
