Guidelines for the Re-opening of
Calvary Community Church of Tampa
Prepared by Pastor Arnold and Pastor
Martinez
Beginning
Sunday May 10th, 2020
Why we closed:
We agreed with the governmental authorities that because of
the unknown seriousness of the virus that it was our responsibility as leaders
of the church. If we did not close, there could be individuals that might take
unnecessary risk due to their overzealous faith, age or medical conditions. This
closure has been faithfully followed during this whole episode. We have
continued all services with Bob Gilbert for Sunday School, Jesse Martinez for
Sunday night and me on Sunday morning and Wednesday night. Special music has
been provided by Jesse, Warren, and Larry. Donation giving has been faithfully
sustained with all bills being paid, workers being paid and missionaries
receiving full support.
Reopening is a difficult decision
that has not come without substantial prayer, concern and planning. It is not a
decision we take lightly. We have reviewed the guidelines from the Center for Disease
Control, our Insurance provider, the Federal, State and county, and the
Christian Law Association. Because our congregation is primarily made up of elderly
saints, we believe perhaps they should continue meeting in an online capacity
for a while longer. If any one doesn’t believe it would
be wise for them or their families to attend at this time, then by all means, wait
until you believe it is safe for you to do so.
Prior to your return we are making
sure that all areas have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected: sanitize pews,
bathrooms (floors, sinks, toilets, faucets), doorknobs, light switches,
countertops, handles, and any other high-touch surfaces.
So, next Sunday May 10th, Calvary Community
Church of Tampa will open on Mother’s Day for Morning Worship Service only with
Pastor Arnold at 10:30am and Pastor Jesse Martinez on Sunday night at 6:00pm. Families
are encouraged to please sit close together; others sit 6 feet apart. Seating
is only permitted on every other pew. If there is an overflow, chairs will be provided
in the Fellowship Hall. We
are taking every precaution to ensure we keep our congregations safe. As such,
our attorneys have prepared a list of recommended guidelines for us to adhere
to when we reopen. We are doing our best to ensure that these guidelines are
communicated and announced to our members and visitors before they enter.
We are initially seeking
to open with a smaller service to ensure all procedures can be adhered to, and
slowly “scale up” attendance once all guidelines are being provably followed; guidelines may vary as weeks progress. You can still watch
our services online at www.biblelineministries.org/cam.cgi
and on Facebook at Calvary Community Church of Tampa.
You are not required to attend if you
do not feel comfortable.
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW:
1. We are encouraging all
high-risk individuals (and/or caregivers of high-risk individuals) to stay home
and utilize distance options to attend.
A.
Medical
experts find those at highest risk for life-threatening illness
from COVID-19 are:
•
People 65 years and older.
•
People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility; and
•
People of all ages with underlying medical conditions.
B.
Underlying
medical conditions include, but are not limited to:
•
People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma.
• People who have serious heart conditions
or immunocompromised.
(Many conditions can cause greater
concerns, such as: smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies,
poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other
immune weakening medications, people with diabetes, chronic kidney disease
undergoing dialysis, and/or liver disease.)
2. COVID-19 is a deadly
disease that must be handled with extreme care, diligence, and planning. It is very
important to understand that many early carriers of COVID-19 are entirely
asymptomatic and will show absolutely no signs of the virus. Entrance will be
refused to anyone (with our knowledge) who has been in contact with an infected
person or who is exhibiting the following symptoms that have been associated
with COVID-19: fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, repeated
shaking, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell or
other neurological issue.
· If
you are showing any of these signs of COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone
who has PLEASE STAY HOME.
· Please
refrain from touching others while in the church auditorium.
· Keep
6ft between you and remember to be respectful of people’s space.
PHASE ONE REOPEN GUIDELINES
·
Church service times are as follows:
o Sunday
Morning 10:30a-11:30a
o Sunday
Night 6:00p-7:00p
o Wednesday
Night 7:00p-8:00p
· There
will be no Sunday School classes held at the church. Mr. Bob Gilbert will
continue to teach the adult class online at 9:15a-10:00a via live
stream.
· Every
other pew will be closed for seating in order to follow social distancing
guidelines. (Limited to 75 in main church building.)
· Pews
will not have Bible, hymnals, tissues, pens, offering envelopes, or pillows in
order to reduce sanitization procedures.
· The
water fountain will be closed due to sanitization procedures. Feel free to
bring a water bottle. Anything left in the church will be discarded.
· All
children’s services will be remained closed. This includes AWANA, Sunday
School, and Ranch.
· The
church library, church office and bookstore, church kitchen, will be closed.
· Offering
plates will be in the foyer and at the front of the pulpit. We still encourage
people to donate online if possible. http://www.calvaryoftampa.org/donate/
· Please
be sure to bring your own Bible and writing utensils.
· There
will be no printed materials like bulletins, daily bread books, firehouse five
lyric books, or tracts.
These are necessary precautions that the church must
take in this first phase of reopening. We will make decisions for the next phase
as we see the governor of Florida respond to the reopening of the state. If you
have any questions, please call Pastor Jesse Martinez (813) 521-7483.
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