Covid Protocol Update

Dear Shoreacres Family

As mentioned previously we intend to re-open the chapel for in-person meetings on June 13th. It is important to note that things are not back to normal though. This email will outline the following topics:

  1. Governing Principles for re-opening
  2. Procedure for Sunday Service:
    a. Before the meeting
    b. Order of Service
    c. After the meeting
  3. 3Miscellaneous items
  4. FAQ

Governing Principles for Re-opening

From Scripture:

We want to be “…diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph. 4:3) Because, “…how

good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity…for there the Lord commanded the

blessing.” (Psa. 133:3)

We want to “…regard one another as more important and [ourselves];…not merely look[ing] out for [our] own

personal interest, but also for the interests of others.” (Phil. 3:3,4) Because, Christ “…gave [us]an example that

[we] also should do as [He] did for [us].” (Jn. 13:15)

We want to “have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.”

(2 Cor. 8:21) Because we want to act “…in such a way that they may see [our] good works and glorify [our]

Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16)

We want to “submit [ourselves] for the Lord’s sake to every human institution…” (1 Pet. 2:13) Because,

“…such is the will of God that by doing right [we] may silence the ignorance of foolish men.” (1 Pet. 2:15)

We want to “…love one another” (Jn. 15:12) Because, “…if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 Jn. 4:11)

There are also three official guidance documents which impacted our meeting procedure:

Halton Region COVID-19 Public Health Guidelines: Places of Worship

Ontario Ministry of Health COVID-19 Advice: Religious Services, Rites or Ceremonies

Ontario Workplace Safety and Prevention Services   Guidance on Health and Safety for Places of Worship During COVID-19

The guiding principles from scripture will not change, but the three official guidance documents will change over time and our procedures will have to change likewise

Procedure for Sunday Service

Before the Meeting

  1. The meeting will start at 10:30am. Please arrive between 10:15am and 10:30am. Music will play in the sanctuary from 10:15-10:30am
  2. Enter the building through the back door (the one with the grey ramp). The ramp has been marked with tape to show 6ft increments. Please maintain physical distance of at least 6 feet from anyone who does not live in your household or is not part of your social bubble.

Miscellaneous Items

All areas of the chapel building apart from the sanctuary and the pathway from the back door through the foyer are off limits. Do not enter the gym, or go downstairs to the basement.

You are encouraged not to use the restrooms, but if required everyone should use the upstairs restroom near the back door. Sanitization equipment and instructions will be provided for before and after each use.

No nursery is provided,Families with children are encouraged to bring the children in to the main service and follow after with the Sunday School which will be provided at 11:00am

We will meet starting on Wednesday evenings the 16th of June at 7pm for prayer

FAQs

  1. How long will services run in this modified way? We don’t have a definite timeline yet, and it is likely that the service will evolve over time as government guidelines change
  2. Do we have to wear the masks? Masks will be provided to anyone who needs one. They are mandatory at this time
  3. Will the live Sunday meeting be streamed on Zoom? Not at this time. The future plan is to do video recordings of the Sunday messages and post them on YouTube for virtual viewing
  4. Will visitors be allowed to attend the Sunday service? Yes. They will need to follow the same protocol as regular attendees, but visitors are encouraged to attend as always

On behalf of the elders and deacons

As of Monday April 19th, government restrictions will prohibit in church attendance for at least the following 4 weeks.

Under this lockdown Shoreacres Bible Chapel will revert back to our Zoom formatted meetings.
Sunday Meeting: 10am
Wednesday Meeting: 7pm
Typically the meetings will involve a pre-recorded message which can be viewed from the Shoreacres website, and then a Zoom meeting for a Breaking of Bread, fellowship and/or prayer. Details for each meeting will be sent out roughly the day before over the prayer chain email.
While we long to see each other face-to-face, consider that if this pandemic happened even a decade ago we would not have had these options for virtual meetings. 
God really is good