Update to original post: Last night (June 17, 2020) our Deacons and Elders had a joint board meeting to continue discussions regarding re-opening. Out of these discussions and the letter we posted below, we have a new video, featuring Steve, along with one of our deacons, Reid, in the auditorium discussing what this re-opening process has looked like so far and how we are moving forward. Please watch the video, then read the letter, if you haven’t yet had a chance to do so.
We would ask that you please read over the following letter from our newly formed Re-Opening Task Force (we needed an epic name for such a big job!) We would also very sincerely appreciate your prayers. Please pray for wisdom as we move forward. We take this job of re-opening very seriously. As Steve said in last week’s update video, we truly want to be able to gather again, for us all to be able to gather as a church family.
Dear Crestwicke Church Family,
We were all thrilled when we heard the government’s announcement that churches can re-open to 30% capacity, with proper social distancing measures, for the purpose of conducting worship services. It has been such a long time since we’ve been able to meet as a church family, and as soon as the news was released the staff began to work on the details so that we could be ready to have services again at Crestwicke. What they discovered was that the logistics and restrictions were far more difficult than they had anticipated.
To work through the concept of re-opening, a task force has been appointed, made up of staff and deacons. We have worked through the latest information (which is changing constantly), as well as we are able, and have been doing our best to think through how we can offer services. It is far more complex than just deciding to open up the church doors. As excited as we are that things are moving in this direction, we need to be able to offer services safely and legally. It is our conclusion that at this moment, we are not in a position to do so.
We don’t say this to be discouraging, but to be realistic. In addition, as you will see below, we want to ensure we are not providing false expectations for what a service during these times might look like. Everyone wants life to go back to normal: we are all wanting to have services again. When we first heard that churches could operate at 30% capacity, we envisioned a fairly normal worship service with just fewer people. As we’ve looked at the details, however, we realize that that is not what the regulations allow. We truly understand that this is disappointing.
Now, although we are not in a position to open right now, nor will we be able to have typical services when we do re-open, as a task force we will continue to look ahead and work towards a safe and sustainable re-opening at a future date. At this point, we cannot say exactly when that will be, but we hope it’s sooner rather than later.
There are a number of things that we have been considering in terms of re-opening, including the benefits, the risks, the regulations, and the practical limitations of our church facility. The following is a brief summary of our current review of these items:
The Benefits:
It would be really nice to see each other; we are all missing the smiling faces of our church community.
For some, being in the church building is a core part of their worship experience and being able to gather in the sanctuary would be spiritually enriching.
In a time that has been irregular and strange, congregating as a church provides a sense of normalcy.
We would really like to see Pastor Steve and hear from him in-person as much as possible prior to his moving on in September.
The Risks:
It is our belief that the spread of COVID-19 remains a risk.
Some of our most dear and beloved church family members are also the most vulnerable during this time.
The regulations are challenging, and it would be hard to meet without risking breaking the rules, even if by accident.
We received notice from our insurance provider that we must ensure we are following government physical distancing guidelines in order for our coverage to be valid.
The Regulations [1]:
Practice social distancing by remaining at least 2 m apart at all times.
Ensure frequent cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces.
Stay home if you have any symptoms or have come in contact with someone who has symptoms.
“Screen visitors and staff regularly for health issues.”
Wearing masks is encouraged.
Discourage in-person attendance for those at a greater risk, including those over 65 and people with chronic medical conditions.
Young children should be kept with their parents at all times and should not be allowed to wander.
Children’s programs are not permitted. We are not a licensed day care and so are unable to operate our nursery or children’s ministries.
Keep a record of attendance to support contact tracing.
Stagger entry and exit and use different points of entry and exit.
Congregational singing is highly discouraged.
Shaking hands, hugging, touching, passing the offering plate, and taking communion are not permitted.
Socializing is discouraged: “Refrain from socializing or congregating outside of the facility when returning to their vehicles or homes in order to adhere to physical distancing guidelines.”
The Practical Limitations:
Unfortunately, it is not the 30% capacity criterion that governs the number of people we can have attend a service: that is the maximum. Our actual number of attendees is based on our ability to gather people at the allowable social distance.[2]
The church sanctuary has been measured and would be able to safely accommodate approximately 50 people while maintaining a 2 m social distance. This takes into account that household groups can sit together without social distancing.
Other church rooms have been looked at (e.g. the York Road Room) and do not have a higher capacity.
To accommodate our church family, which numbers over 250 people, if everyone wanted to attend, we would need to run 5 or 6 services. As such, the entire service may be pre-recorded and shown on the projector.
To maintain social distance, all movement in the church would be in a “one-way” fashion, including entrance and egress from the sanctuary.
It will be challenging to accommodate latecomers or visitors.
There would be no early exit from the service permitted, unless an extreme emergency.
As per the WSPS guidelines, there would not be an opportunity for socializing either in the building following service or in the parking lot when people are returning to their cars.
Between services we need trained people to provide specialized cleaning.
As you can see, there are a number of factors at play as we consider the potential of re-opening the church. Below is a brief outline of what a service might look like under the current circumstances:
Maximum of 50 people
Spot reserved ahead of time by phone or online
No childcare
Masks are encouraged or required
No congregational singing
No socializing
Possibly a pre-recorded message
At this point, we would like your feedback. Given all of the above, we want to know whether you would be interested in attending if the church were to start having services. Specifically we would like to know numbers—how many in your family (or bubble) plan to attend. That feedback will help inform us of the desires and also the reservations our family might have about re-opening, as well as help us to strategize as to how we could re-open. In addition, if you have comments, questions, insights, or concerns regarding the current position, we invite you to reach out to us. Please contact Reid G. or Sarah P.
During this entire time everyone has had to exercise patience and grace. The level of support and encouragement given to the church leadership from the very beginning has been excellent. As we continue to navigate these waters, we ask that you keep praying that the church will have wisdom.
Discussions regarding re-opening are ongoing and we will keep the Crestwicke church family up to date on where we are at as things change and more information is given to us. We truly look forward to gathering together again—what a celebration that will be!
Sincerely,
The Crestwicke Re-Opening Task Force
Sarah P., Reid G., Steve W., Jake C. & Stephanie F.
Footnotes
[1] We note that the Ontario Ministry of Health does not yet have a clear set of Guidelines for worship services. So far, the only published guideline in Ontario is from Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS). As such, we are using other provincial guidelines to supplement the WSPS until the Ontario government publishes more detailed guidelines. The quotations are from the WSPS documentation.
[2] The new regulations for worship services are more or less helpful for churches depending on their size and the types of services they normally conduct. Many churches in Ontario have massive old sanctuaries and very few congregants; the opening up of churches for services works well for them. As you know, Crestwicke is not like that. Our church family is large, spans demographics, and on a typical Sunday we have around 50 children in nursery and Children’s Church.