As the world deals with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many previous activities need alterations to ensure personal safety. A church gathering, coffee shop, or places like local libraries, can be hot spots for infection if safety measures are not in place.
If you are looking to transition from online to live gathering spaces for your worship, the Arise Church in Brandon is doing everything it can to ensure your safety. They have implemented ‘contact-free services’ so patrons can come in to enjoy a live service and leave without touching a single object or person in attendance.
How to Participate in a Live Church Gathering Safely
It has been a complicated process to navigate for many of us. We have adjusted to online services and no-contact communication. These alternatives have been helpful in the short-term, but we can begin going to a church gathering safely as things progress.
Even as our population is still dealing with active COVID-19 cases, there are ways to safely participate and enjoy a live church service. By recognizing how to protect yourself, you, and your family, can continue to join weekly gatherings.
Wear a Mask
One of the ways to protect yourself and others from airborne particles is by wearing a mask. Face coverings should fully cover both your nose and your mouth to eliminate the chance of droplets becoming airborne.
One of the ways that COVID-19 spreads it through airborne particles. It is possible for an individual to be asymptomatic and spread the virus. Wearing a mask in close quarters, like church, cuts down on the chance of transmission if you carry it but are not showing symptoms.
Do Not Touch Your Face and Wash Your Hands Often
Proper hand-washing is vital to keep any bacteria from your hands. Viruses and bacteria can remain on surfaces in certain circumstances. When you open or close doors and touch counters or chairs, it is essential that you clean your hands to avoid spreading germs from surface to surface.
Eliminate touching your face at all if your hands are not sanitary. You do not want to spread any viral material to your mouth, nose, or eyes from your hands. If you cannot wash your hands when you need to, carry hand sanitizer with you for added protection.
Keep 6 feet Apart From Others Outside of Your Household
Stick to your immediate household grouping only while at church. While it may be tempting to catch up and visit with friends and other relatives in a public setting, remaining 6 feet apart or more will help eliminate the chance of any spread.
For seating arrangements during services, be diligent in keeping the 6-foot rule. Having space between your immediate family and other parishioners will cut back on infection chances with COVID-19 or any other contagions during these uncertain times. When seated, this would be the space of 3 chairs between you.
It would be best if you avoided any handshakes, fist-bumps, hugs, or other contact touching with those outside your home.
Avoid Attending In-Person Services if You Are Showing Any Symptoms
In-person attendance for services is discouraged if you have any symptoms of being ill. You should continue to use our online service option if you are showing any of these signs:
- Active fever of 100° or higher
- Sore throat
- Coughing
- Short of breath
- Had close contact with anyone tested who positive for COVID-19 within the last 14 days
Being responsible for your health also helps keep your friends and other parishioners safe. With your help and diligence, we can continue to enjoy in-person services.
What We Are Doing To Help Keep You Safe
It is exciting to begin in-person services again, but precautions are necessary for this to happen successfully. Here at the Arise Church at SouthShore, we are doing everything possible to make this transition from online to live gathering services possible.
We want you to feel comfortable and safe coming to in-person gatherings so we can all once again reconnect to each other and God as we transition through this. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to one of our team members.
There are several ways to keep everyone safe and healthy when you visit us in-person. These measures include:
- Contact-Free services
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently
- Masks and gloves for team members
- A safe environment for the kids
Contact-Free Services
Our church gathering can be entirely contact-free for you, making it a safe way to enjoy a live service without stress. You can come in to enjoy our service and leave without having to touch any surfaces or people at all. Your health and safety are of utmost importance to us, especially as we migrate back to in-person services.
Cleaning and Disinfecting Frequently
The team at Arise Church takes cleaning and disinfecting seriously before, during, and after services. Providing a safe environment for parishioners to enjoy in-person services is vital to remain healthy throughout the remigration process.
Masks and Gloves For Team Members
Our team members, including the Altar Prayer Team and Hope Cafe team, wear masks and gloves always for your protection.
If you need someone to pray with you after service, you can rest assured that they will have a mask, gloves, and use hand sanitizer before attending to your needs. Everyone at the Hope Cafe is equipped with masks and gloves while serving parishioners before and after in-person church gatherings.
A Safe Environment for the Kids
We are working hard to ensure that all precautions are in place for the ARISE Kids and the ARISE Kids Jr. spaces. Keeping the young ones healthy and safe is vital to ensure that we can continue in-person services.
We Are Excited To See Everyone In-Person Again
We are excited to start seeing everyone at services again. The Arise team is hopeful that we can continue to enjoy having parishioners at live services with proper cleaning and safety routines. Remember that if you are not comfortable coming in and wish to continue participating in online services, you are more than welcome to do what suits your needs.