COVID-19 Policies and Procedures for Worship Gatherings

The elders have decided to resume worship services inside the Eastside building on Sunday, November 15, at 10:20 am. For now, services are limited to Sunday morning worship. We will not have classes or pot lucks until some time to be determined.

Though many of us will be gathering inside the auditorium, we know that not everyone will be comfortable doing so. We will continue broadcasting our service on FM 88.3. Anyone who prefers to do so may remain in their cars in parking areas around the building as well as the main parking lot, listening to the service on their radios. Communion will be served to those remaining in their cars as usual. Also, we have three portable radios available if someone’s car radio does not work.

Obviously, the pandemic continues, so it is necessary that our return to the building is done as safely as possible. COVID-19 continues to be extremely hard on anyone infected who is over sixty, as well as anyone of any age who has “comorbidities” such as diabetes and high blood pressure. So, because our love for one another moves us to want to meet as we used to, our love for one another should also motivate us to take the necessary precautions to protect each other from this virus. Any one of us could be carrying it, could infect others, without being aware of it.

To meet as safely, the elders have established the following policies and procedures:

• ENTRY
  Remain outside until time to enter building. We will open building at 10:10 am. Everyone entering the building must wear a mask at all times. If someone arrives without a mask, we have a limited supply on hand. Maintain social distancing while entering and proceeding to seats. Form two lines moving through foyer into auditorium. Two long tables set up in the entryway will separate the two lines. Use hand sanitizer and pick up communion items while walking along the tables. Please proceed immediately to seating in auditorium.
  
• NEW BUILDING ONLY
  Only the auditorium and its foyer (including bathrooms and cry room) will be open. The classrooms, kitchen, and Fellowship Hall will remain closed. This is because cleaning after each service will have to include steps for disinfecting for COVID-19. We do not want to have to disinfect the entire building complex every week.
• SANITATION
  Foremost, we ask that anyone who has any symptoms (especially fever, dry cough, flu-like illness) to stay home, or in your vehicle. Bottles of hand sanitizer will be stationed on the entryway tables and in each restroom. Attendees are encouraged to use these whenever possible. Also, washing hands whenever possible is encouraged.
• RESTROOMS
  Only the restrooms in the foyer (including cry room) are available for use.
• SEATING
  Seating is in open rows only. Rows marked with caution tape are “closed.” Households must remain together. Please maintain at least six feet between households when seated.
• SINGING
  Though the State of New Mexico’s guidelines prohibit singing, we will include singing as part of our worship. It is important that we wear masks even while singing. The exception will be those leading songs or prayers while they are at the pulpit.
• CONTRIBUTION
  Collection boxes will be available on each of the tables in the entryway. People can utilize these when entering or when exiting. Of course, as always, contributions may be made by mail.
• EXIT
  At the conclusion of the service, please wait in your seats. Ushers will dismiss by rows – starting with back rows – as needed to prevent crowding in the foyer. We will leave as we entered, two lines through foyer doors. Please move directly outside. Save visiting for outside.
  
  

These procedures will make our gathering feel like we’re not quite back to “normal.” Please keep in mind that these measures are being taken to protect one another from this virus. We will continue to be in touch with you as anything further develops in regard to these things.