HOW WE APPROACH THE QUESTION OF WHEN TO RESUME OUR IN-PERSON MINISTRIES

We have decided to resume our in-person Sunday morning activities (8-4-Prayer group, Sunday groups, and morning worship) on July 12. Here's some information that helps explain how we make our decisions, and the resources we rely on to make them.

How and when we hope to reopen

THE BASIC OUTLINE OF OUR APPROACH TO REOPENING

  • We want very much to reopen our church and ministries, but we will do so safely and in compliance with applicable state and local mandates and guidelines.
  • As currently configured, the state of Illinois' plan for reopening the state is about to enter its stage III, during which churches our size will not be permitted to open. Hence, we have planned no opening during stage III, which is expected to begin at the end of May, or perhaps early June.
  • During the state's stage IV, which we expect will not begin before the end June or perhaps early July, churches our size WILL be permitted to open. It is our vision to reopen our worship, Sunday groups, and whatever other ministries are possible during stage IV.


ADDITIONAL DETAILS ABOUT OUR REOPENING, ONCE IT BEGINS

  • We will provide a touchless hand sanitizing station on each level of our building, which will allow people quick access to sanitizer.
  • We will provide a disposable mask for use during worship and/or Sunday groups to those who request one.
  • During all Sunday morning activities and until we can safely do otherwise, we will practice social distancing, suspend our practice of serving refreshments in the lobby before worship, resume the safety measures we adopted just before the shutdown for communion element preparation and service, and suspend live singing during worship.
  • We will monitor state and local mandates and guidelines, as well as public health official announcements and recommendations so as to conform our reopening to legal and safety best practices.


AND IN CASE YOU'VE FORGOTTEN...

  • During the shutdown of our worship etc, we're doing our best to stay connected: 1) We're holding - and YOU'RE invited toa 15 minute phone-in worship every Sunday at 10:40 a.m.; 2) We're publishing a weekly email/postal mail news and inspiration update for people connected to our church called "Sunday Session." If you're connected to our church and don't yet receive it, use our "Contact Us" page to let us know.

some resources we're consulting as we develop our reopening plans

Several outlets are providing helpful guidance to churches as they formulate plans to reopen following this current crisis. Here are some of the resources we're using. Access/Download them by clicking the image to the left of each description. [NOTE: While we find each of these resources helpful, their presence on this webpage does not necessarily mean we intend to employ all their recommendations.]

  • from the christian church (Disciples of christ) in Illinois and wisconsin

    In collaboration with other groups, churches, and experts, our regional church has created a thoughtful, plentiful guide to churches seeking to reopen. In our denomination, each congregation is autonomous, so the recommendations included in this document are not binding on our congregation. We are impressed by and grateful for the content and intention of this guide.

  • from church mutual insurance, our insurance company

    Our church's insurance company offers a collection of checklists for churches to consider as they move toward reopening, as well as links to a variety of other resources.