Covid-19 Protocols at North Lonsdale United
North Lonsdale initially closed in response to Covid-19 in March 2020, but has since opened on an incremental basis, starting with congregational and community / small business programs, and most recently with commencement of in-person Sunday worship on Sunday, September 19, 2021. The church’s opening strategy is consistent with the recommendations and mandates of the Provincial Ministry of Health and BC Center for Disease Control, as well as guidelines provided by Worksafe BC, The United Church of Canada, the Pacific Mountain Region Council of the United Church of Canada, and our Insurer.
Safety is of paramount importance in our opening strategy and a range of standard protocols are in place to help ensure the safety of staff, congregants, user and renter groups, and the community at large. Protocols are communicated proactively to all users, and relevant signage is in place throughout the church building. Communications from the Province of BC and the Pacific Mountain Region are monitored closely and safety measures are actively reviewed and adjusted as warranted.
Current protocols for Sunday worship are outlined below. If you have any questions regarding use of the building generally, or the Sunday Service specifically, please don’t hesitate to contact the church office.
Church Opening for In-Person Worship
Opening Date: Sunday, September 19, 2021
Church Service Protocols:
| Up-Front “Health” Filter | Stay home if you’re not feeling well. Fully vaccinated recommended (but not mandated or enforced). |
| Pre-registration | Pre-registration is not favored or required on the assumption that numbers will be limited to start & build over time |
| Arrival & Sign-in | Limit entrance to the front doors only (to ensure that folks sign-in properly). Hand-sanitizer available at the entrance. Respond to key safety questions (feeling well, recent exposure to Covid, etc). Formally sign-in (sign-up sheets) to facilitate contact tracing. |
| Number of Participants & Overflow | Adequate spacing is important; target is 50% utilization of the sanctuary. Seating in every other pew with appropriate spacing between related groups / families. First two pews empty (distancing from music ministry team). |
| Masks | Congregants will be asked to wear masks. We will have extras available |
| Singing | Music ministry team at the front (all fully vaccinated); wearing masks. Congregants can also sing (since they are masked). |
| Communion | Will be held eventually, though not in the conventional manner with folks coming to the front. We anticipate communion together in October with individual communion offerings. |
| Offerings | Will be taken, though not in the conventional manner (passing of offering bags). There will be a repository near the exit & available at the end of the service only (folks contribute as they leave the sanctuary). |
| Contact | Maintain safe distance, avoid handshaking & hugs (“elbow bumps”, etc. OK). |
| Bulletins | Paper copies of the bulletin will not be provided. If a bulletin is felt to be necessary, it will be displayed electronically (monitors at front of sanctuary). |
| Ventilation | Ventilation will be optimized to the extent practicable (i.e. doors / windows left open on the upper level – sanctuary, back door, front door / narthex). We will have a system in place to sanitize the sanctuary and have cleaned prior to gathering again. |
| Post-Service Sanitation | Note: Coffee hour will not be held following worship, until further notice. |
If you have questions on our current program offerings, building utilization and status, please contact the church office.
