August 27, 2020
Dear Willowdale Emmanuel United Church members,
We trust you are doing well considering this unprecedented time.
In light of the government announcement of June 8th, 2020 regarding the re-opening of places of worship, the Emergency Response Team offers the following updated information:
· Sunday August 30 will be our last pre-recorded worship service. As of September 6, we plan to have Sunday worship services at WEUC at our regular 10:30 worship time. This move to live service is in part a result of the recent survey that determined 18 members who would like to attend worship service and 17 members who prefer not to attend. The purpose of the move to in-person worship services will also allow the congregation to feel more present and provide a feeling of togetherness in the traditional live worship service format. The service will also be live-streamed on YouTube for those who prefer not to attend in person. A printed version of the sermon and bulletin will continue to be provided by email and regular mail.
· Please note that the move to in-person worship is for those who feel comfortable attending. For those who do not feel comfortable attending the traditional format service, the live-stream and printed options will allow those to still feel part of our church community.
· The decision for the above changes has been made by the Emergency Response Team.
While the government has indicated that places of worship may open as of June 12th with a maximum church capacity of 30% at any one time, extensive protocols will be put in place to safely re-open our church and include the following:
1. As per City of Toronto guidelines, anyone entering the WEUC building must wear a mask at all times while inside the building. Exceptions include people who cannot wear a mask for medical reasons.
2. No Fellowship - no sharing of food or drinks.
3. No indoor singing, choir service, chanting, use of wind instruments.
4. No Communion and other close contact activities – no passing of the peace.
5. No social gatherings before and after service.
6. No sharing and distribution of materials such as hymn books, bibles, bulletins, microphones, Communion objects, prayer mats, water, chalices.
7. No passing of collection/offering plates. Offering plates/box is to be made available at entry.
8. No Sunday school, regular childcare and children’s programming. Children should remain with parents during services. Exclusive children’s activities should be suspended.
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9. Attendance to be taken on Sundays by WEUC volunteers for contact tracing as recommended by Toronto Public Health. Attendance list will be retained for 30 days then destroyed.
10. One door only is to be used for entering and exiting – designated door is Main Front Church Doors (Narthex). Only the Main Front Church doors will be open for both entry and exit. The one-way route for the entryway and exit within the building is to monitor and ensure a two metre/six foot distance between members. The use of the South Entrance door is not permitted.
11. WEUC will restrict admission to allow for ease of movement while maintaining physical distancing. Limit indoor services to 30% of the capacity of the sanctuary to allow for physical distancing. The sanctuary capacity is 380 (380 x 30% = 114). WEUC is setting the limit to under 100.
12. WEUC WILL CONDUCT HEALTH SCREENING FOR COVID-19 SYMPTOMS at point of entry (Main Front Church Doors - Narthex). We must conduct temperature checks, provide hand sanitizer to ensure good hand hygiene and review policy #16 with all members/visitors before they are allowed into WEUC building.
13. No wandering around the church building – only areas that are in use by WEUC for worship purposes is to be utilized. We are encouraging limited use of washrooms to limit contact in hi-touch areas.
14. Social distancing measures must be adhered to – 2 metres apart in fixed pew seating unless from same family.
15. Encourage good hand hygiene by providing hand sanitizer. Members must disinfect their hands before and after worship services.
16. Remind members that if they have any of the following symptoms:
· fever, cough, difficulty breathing
· sore throat, trouble swallowing
· runny noses; loss of taste or smell
· not feeling well: nausea, vomiting diarrhea OR
· have come in close contact with someone who is sick or has confirmed COVID-19 in the past 14 days
· have returned from travel outside Canada in the past 14 days
TO STAY HOME AND SELF ISOLATE IMMEDIATELY.
For your general reference, please see the following information and guidelines for health and safety during this time.
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· Province of Ontario https://covid-19.ontario.ca/?_ga=2.9515765.1771362787.1585603692-1743700962.1585603692
For church administration enquiries, please contact our office administrator:
· Lina Posa
416-225-2309
For anyone needing prayers/pastoral support, please contact:
· Rev. YoonOk Shin Kang
yoonok2009@gmail.com
Home: 416-250-7506
Emergency contact: 780-903-6339
Sincerely,
WEUC Council Co-chairs
Myung Sook Kim
mskcga85@gmail.com
Bill Myhill
bill@idahinc.com