Social Distancing
One of the top considerations of the IDPH regarding safe reopening procedures involves managing the total crowd size. In adherence with the current guidelines provided by our state, we will be limiting the seating capacity in our building. In the Worship Center and in the Family Life Center (FLC), we will limit seating to 78 or fewer people (25% of capacity). To help maintain this distance, we will have rows of chairs removed and will ask families to keep three chairs (roughly 6 feet) between family units.
Services
Our services will be similar to what they have been in the past. We will meet to worship together for about 60 minutes, and the services will include worshiping together, hearing the preaching of the Word together, and praying together. In our building, the service will be taking place in both our Worship Center and in the Family Life Center (FLC), via a live stream. In the Worship Center, seating will be limited to only the downstairs seating. The most noticeable difference in our service will be our choice to think more highly of others than ourselves and respect the health concerns of our brothers and sisters by greeting each other with smiles and waves rather than handshakes and hugs (for now!). This may be a difficult sacrifice for many of us who are deeply missing human interaction and gathering together with our church family, but we’re hopeful that God will fill our hearts with gratitude and contentment as we’re able to take this step to be worshiping in the same space.
FAQ: Will I have to reserve a spot to come to the service?
Yes… for now! While this is obviously not what we’re accustomed to, or what we intend to do long-term, this will allow us to plan our building, our volunteers, and our services as best as possible to serve you while you’re here. If you have not reserved a seat ahead of time, we may be at capacity in the Worship Center and ask you to join us for our live stream service in the FLC. Signing up is easy! Just click here to reserve a spot for you and any family attending with you.
Sanitization
To help manage the spread of germs and minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus, we will be implementing more thorough sanitization practices. The upstairs of PBC will be closed for the time-being, and the downstairs will be cleaned and disinfected before and after services. During the services, we will have a small team of volunteers actively disinfecting high-touch surfaces. Several hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the lobby and building. Coffee will still be available, but a volunteer will distribute coffee rather than having a serve-yourself station. Inside the service, we will not be passing an offering plate, but we will have a box available where you can drop your gift if you have not yet chosen to utilize online giving.
Masks
While face coverings can be one of the most polarizing topics of discussion, we will be respectful of the differing points of view. According to the latest CDC guidance, face coverings are one of the three most important elements of minimizing the risk of virus transmission. All attendees will be encouraged to wear face coverings while indoors and when social distancing of 6 feet is not feasible. While these guidelines and recommendations from our health officials are worthy of our adherence, we will not make it our duty to be enforcing these guidelines as a church. Therefore, we do not want to provide any false expectations for any people who consider themselves to be at a higher risk for infection or who have discomfort with being in a space without face coverings: it is possible (and perhaps likely) that there will be some who attend our services who choose (for personal or health reasons) to not wear a face mask. Please know that we completely understand if you decide that the wisest, safest, or best option for you is to continue worshiping with us online! We support you in your decision, and we will continue to do our best to provide you with the best online worship experience possible.
Families & Children
PBC KidZ will not be available at this phase of reopening. We will, however, be having a Family Service in the FLC building. This service will have a live stream of all that is happening in the worship center, while allowing families to feel more comfortable with younger children who may have difficulty for an hour long service. Some leaders from our PBC KidZ team will be in this service to help lead a children’s worship song and interact with kids, and we will have some coloring paper and quiet activities available. Please note: we will not have any rooms or spaces available in our building for children to be left unsupervised. At this phase of reopening, all children will need to stay under the supervision of their parents or guardians.
Other Considerations
Please know that we completely understand and respect your decision if you find it best to delay returning for worship services in person. There need not be any judgment or guilt with that decision! We will continue to strive to bring you excellent, impactful online worship experiences as you join with us remotely. We’re looking forward to one day when we have a grand reopening and we get to all be back together at the same time!