Last Updated September 10, 2020
Ontario has released the exciting news that places of worship can gather again. We are allowed to reopen our facilities at 30% capacity, as long as we follow proper physical distancing protocols. We are doing our best to follow all the best practices and advice from health agencies. This includes regular cleaning protocols, having hand sanitizer readily available, requiring mask usage, using separate entrances and exits, and always maintaining a 2m distance between people from outside your household or bubble.
Each Sunday, we are holding services at 107 Main St., by sign-up only. Anyone can sign up at any time. We'd love to see you! The earlier in the week you can RSVP the better, so we can organize things properly. If we max out our capacity, we do have an overflow room set up downstairs with the livestreamed service, which we welcome you to use.
We also ask that if you are sick at all: please stay home. If you are particularly vulnerable to catching Covid-19 or developing serious complications from it, please use your good judgment on whether or not to attend. If you are not yet comfortable, we encourage you to continue to worship from home, following along with the livestreamed service at 9:00.
We know there will be differences of opinions within our church family regarding the resumption of in-person ministry activities. Some will feel we are being too cautious. Others will feel that we are not being cautious enough. So we ask for your grace and understanding, and we appeal to you to seek unity and love in the midst of our differences. (Some very good advice on this can be read here or here) If you feel we are being too cautious, we ask that you still honour the health directives we’ve been given, in order to love and honour your brothers and sisters. And on the other hand, if you are not ready or comfortable to return in-person yet, we understand and will not pressure you to be here. "So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding… We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves." (Romans 14:19, 15:1)
We seek to answer a number of questions below, but if you have a question that is not addressed, please don’t hesitate to ask!
In Christ,
Your pastors and elders
FAQs
What time should I arrive and depart?
For the 9:00 service, you are invited to come anytime after 8:15. For the sake of cleaning and maintaining the right numbers, we do ask that you leave the church premises by 10:30. (As you leave, you will be asked to exit by the Evelyn Ave. doors) For those coming to the 11:00 service, please arrive anytime after 10:40, and depart by 12:30.
Can I choose which service (9:00 or 11:00) to attend?
You can choose a service preference when you sign up. If there is room in your preferred service, you will receive an email confirmation on Friday or Saturday. We need to keep attendance under the 30% capacity, which is why we cannot guarantee your service choice.
Will there be nursery or children’s ministry?
For the time being, no. Nursery care is actually prohibited, and ministry for older children would prove overly prohibitive at this time. All children are welcome and invited to sit with their family during the service. Parents, feel free to bring books, colouring supplies, or other quiet activities for your young children. We will not look down on any noisy children during this time! We also have our services being streamed downstairs to an overflow room, where you can bring your children if you feel the need to.
Do I need to wear a mask?
Yes. Ottawa Public Health has made mask use mandatory for indoor public places. So during any service times that are inside the facilities, we ask you to please wear a mask. Our staff and volunteers will be wearing masks. For the sake of others' consciences and health, and out of compassion for them, please wear one. Children under 2 years old and those medically unable to wear masks are exempt. See the full instructions from OPH here.
Will we be singing?
Yes. Weather-permitting, we have been doing most of our singing outdoors. But in the current phase of reopening, indoor singing is once again allowed. So we will be taking all the precautions we can to minimize risk, but we now feel free to sing to the Lord together. If you are still uncomfortable singing in groups at the present time, you are welcome to continue to worship (and sing along!) from home.
Will we celebrate the Lord’s Supper together?
Yes. We have resumed taking the Lord's Supper together using prepackaged communion supplies, which allows us to do so in a safe manner.
Is there anything else cancelled or on-hold?
Yes, there will be no official greeting times in-service, as we are not allowed to give handshakes, hugs, or kisses. There will also be no usage of the kitchen or café areas downstairs.
I’m elderly, immunocompromised, or otherwise vulnerable to contracting Covid-19. But I still want to attend. May I?
Yes, you may, but please understand that you attend at your own risk. If you do indeed want to come, we would highly encourage using masks or other personal protective equipment, limiting contact with any surfaces, and sitting at the very back of room or the overflow room.
I’m feeling a bit under the weather. Am I healthy enough to come?
According to the health guidelines we have received, anyone who is sick or has signs of illness (e.g. fever, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, tiredness, shortness of breath) should self-isolate. If you attend and exhibit symptoms of illness, you will be asked to leave.
Are small groups still being invited on a rotational basis?
As of September 20, no. All are welcome to sign up on any Sunday. As long as there is still space, you will be welcomed to come.
Can we bring guests?
Yes. Please have them sign up, or include them on your own sign up.
Will the current online ministries continue?
Yes, a number of our small groups will still be meeting via Zoom. The daily prayer times will continue 6 days/week (Monday-Saturday, not on Sunday). And we will, of course, continue to broadcast our service online each Sunday.
How can I help?
We’re glad you asked! We will only be needing a small crew of servants every week, most notably from the worship, tech, and security teams. If you are on one of these service teams, we would be very thankful for your help as you are able. If you want to join one of those teams, let us know. Also, we will need a cleaning team each Sunday. If you are willing to help with this, please let us know.
