Parish of Blandford

Revision July 25 in Light of new Public Health Directives Effective July 31

All those participating in the service will be required to wear masks at all times. See Link: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/docs/Faith-based-gatherings-guidelines.pdf

Worship in our Buildings – relaxing of COVID 19 Restrictions

June 23. 2020

Prior to gathering for worship:

1. Planning group: Bev & Curtis McDonald, Jackie Cleveland, Alfred Gates, Ken Miller, Louis Quennelle

2. Where do we gather: In order to accommodate as many as possible with physical distancing, until this is no longer necessary, we propose that all services be in Saint Barnabas.

3. Proposed time line:

   1. Cleaning and sanitizing in the church prior to resuming services to be completed by early in the week following July 05 (Alfred will put together a team to do this.)

   2. Measuring and marking out space in building for safe physical distancing and welcoming as many people as possible (Week of July 6-11).

   3. Sunday July 12 – information and run through for those who will be ministering as greeters/ushers inside and outside.

   4. Sunday July 19 – Service of Morning Prayer

4. Identifying and obtaining supplies required:1 box of 50 disposable face masks and 4 bottles X 750ml of alcohol based sanitizer have been purchased. Still needed – pumps (like liquid soap pumps) for dispensing sanitizer. Possibly towels for use in wiping down high contact areas.

Plan for Gathering Safely for Worship:

1. Preparation in advance:

   1. Cleaning – as above

   2. Making physical adjustments to space as necessary – chairs for ushers one near door one near Baptistry.

2. Gathering for Worship:

   1. Identifying and preparing individuals as greeters/ushers: 3 each Sunday. We will need an absolute minimum of 6 (ideally 10-12 trained) of these people to prepared to perform these ministries so that no one person has to be on duty every week. Those who volunteer can choose to volunteer for any one of or all these ministries:

      1. Outdoor greeter: Will welcome people, explain the process of entering the building, assist them in maintaining physical distancing while they wait to enter and distribute masks if they are needed. After the service begins will sit near the door to greet and assist any late arrivals.

         After service will encourage worshippers to move away from the door to allow others to leave safely.

      2. Indoor Greeter: Will welcome, point out offertory plate, Food Bank Donation box, distribute bulletin, answer any questions and and ensure people wait for usher to show them to their pew. Check the names of parish members on list provided as they enter. Ask for name and contact information from visitors for contact tracing purposes in case of Covid outbreak.

         After service will assist people in leaving the building, allowing the doorway to clear for safe distancing.

      3. Usher : will welcome & assist people in getting to their pew – to the extent possible accommodating their preferences in where they will sit, explain as needed the physical distancing requirements, pointing out taped markers which will help them to maintain the physical distancing.

         After service will assist people in leaving in an orderly way, ensuring that there is not a build up of people near the exit.

         These persons will wear gloves and masks as they may not be able to maintain physical distance of six feet from members of the congregation at all times.

   2. Readers: Those proclaiming Scripture & leading in prayers will do so standing at their place.

   3. Informing the congregation in advance: Document welcoming people back to our worship space and explaining how we will gather will be prepared by July 10 weekend and available by email, website and print with the weekly bulletin. It will also be used to help to prepare the greeters/ushers for the first services.

   4. Members of the assembly will be encouraged to sit with members of their immediate family or bubble group to maximize the number of people we can welcome to worship. All will stay at their place for the entire service. If someone needs to leave for any reason, when possible, they will indicate their intention to the greeters/ushers. In case of emergency – falls, fainting, etc. The Usher should attend first, if possible, as they will be gloved and masked. In any emergency First Aid principles apply – the idea is to prevent further injury and to get help. Although avoiding possible transmission of COVID is still important, it is secondary to the emergency.

   5. Music during the service: Will be instrumental (organ, guitar, etc.) or singing by soloists. Anyone singing will be seated in the front right pew (facing the chancel) for the service and sing from that corner to the right of the pulpit facing the congregation.

   6. (When Service includes Communion

      1. preparation of the altar before service

      2. procedures for Eucharistic prayer at the Altar

      3. procedures for distributing/receiving communion.

         Our first 2 services, at least, will be Morning prayer. The Rector with the planning group will work out detailed procedures as per directives from Archbishop Ron Cutler, Public Health and the limitations of our space.)

Record Keeping:

1. Contact Tracing Names and contact information of those worshipping will be kept in case of COVID spread. These will be kept in the parish office and only shared with Public Health if necessary to assist in contact tracing.

Reviewing Procedures:

1. Feedback from congregation is welcome in helping us to streamline procedures to make our services prayerful, joyful, and safe.