COVID-19 October 29th Update

/

As the weather turns and we shift to indoor worship, here is what worship is going to look like in the near future:

Precautions We Are Taking

  • Arranging seating to maximize social distancing in the ballroom.

  • Opening the double doors throughout the service for increased ventilation and to avoid touching door handles.

  • Sanitizing surfaces

  • Providing hand sanitizer and extra masks for those who need them.

  • Continuing the weekly livestream for those who cannot meet in person.

Mask Requirements

Both the Connecticut DPH requirements and the Holiday Inn’s requirements for using their property mandate masking for everyone from the time they enter the building to the time they depart.

We intend to deviate from that in only two ways:

  1. The Holiday Inn understands that very young children might have trouble masking while they remain at their seats. However, any child transiting - in and out of the building, to the bathroom, etc. - must be masked.

  2. For those leading the congregation - in song, prayer, and preaching - they will be unmasked only for the time they are using a microphone, but at a greater distance from others. This is a standard practice among CT churches that have begun worshipping indoors that the DPH has not objected to.

Because congregational singing might be more difficult with masks the worship leaders plan to make accommodations - like extra measures between lines - to help us all breathe better while singing. If masked singing is too difficult for you please don’t feel bad about pausing and letting your church family sing on your behalf. Join the praises of your brothers and sisters with a melody to the Lord in your heart.

If you are unable to worship with us while masked, please join us on the livestream.

What We Ask of All Worshippers

  • Please abide by the mask-wearing requirement.

  • Please wear your mask in the correct manner, covering both your mouth and nose.

  • Please remain in your seating area during worship.

  • Please pay increased attention to social distancing. While we worshipped outdoors we enjoyed excellent ventilation. Though the ballroom has a forced air heating system it does not provide the same level of air flow as an outdoor environment. So we ask that all worshippers pay more attention to social distancing.

Shoreline Kids

During the transition back to the hotel we will not immediately resume Shoreline Kids ministry.

We recommend parents:

  • Prepare children for worship with the same ideas from the outdoor worship guide for kids.

  • Bring quiet activities for children.

  • Bring snacks for children.

  • Shoreline Kids will provide extra activities such as coloring sheets for children to enjoy.