Covid Update 6/13/20
Elder Update
Church of Christ at Coeur d Alene
We wanted to provide an update to the congregation on how COVID-19 will still continue to impact us for a while and what we can do to continue to make it safe for the congregation along with our visitors. Right now we have about 30 active cases, 14 hospitalizations, and 3 new cases in the North Idaho area.
To some of us the virus seems trivial, but others are deathly afraid. Our goal has been to get everyone physically in attendance as safe as possible. In order to do this we need to tighten up on a few preventative measures to reduce the spread. During this time of year we usually see more visitors than during the fall and winter months. This can potentially increase our risk if we don’t take the proper precautions. This risk then leads to continued anxiety to those of us who are still afraid of coming back to worship physically together.
Helping others feel safe will require some patience, love, and discomfort from those who are not anxious about infection. In order to curb the anxiety, we wanted to remind everyone to continue to wash their hands and use hand sanitizer we have provided in each window in the auditorium. Social distancing is also important to help prevent the spread of the virus. It is very easy to make someone feel uncomfortable shaking their hand, reaching for a hug, or even sitting too close to them during services. We would ask people to not put others into an uncomfortable position. We will continue to disinfect the building after every use. We could use some volunteers to help out with the cleaning, so the burden doesn’t fall on just two people.
It is important we get better at wearing masks. We are asking everyone to wear a mask while in the building, so if you have one please bring it and wear it throughout the service. This is not ideal, but something we need to do out of concern and compassion for others. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided. If you are unable or unwilling we would ask that you have a discussion with one of the elders, so we can help address any needs or concerns.
Right now we are planning on opening up Sunday evening worship services mid-July. We have seen an increase in attendance in the last several weeks and we will potentially open it sooner if we are unable to social distance during Sunday morning worship and use the PM service as a overflow service so we can properly social distance during the AM service. We will also be rearranging the seating to optimize our capacity in the building. We will be postponing Sunday AM Bible class until school starts in September. The links below are kids classes that have been developed by other congregations. We encourage parents and grandparents to share these with the young ones in their life throughout the week, so our little ones can continue to be built up spiritually.
To some of us the virus seems trivial and others are deathly afraid perhaps because of their health or age, but this is a time to show compassion toward one another by doing what we can to protect each other no matter what our beliefs about the virus.
Kids Classes Links
IF YOU ARE SICK OR BECOME SICK IN THE WEEK.
Sick Hotline
If you are or become ill during the week we would ask that you email us at notifyus@churchofchristatcda.org or call 208-664-2458 and leave a voicemail. This allows us to make sure you are okay and monitor the situation.
These are trying times, but they teach us to appreciate the people in our lives and not taking those relationships for granted. It also teaches us to have gratitude toward God and the things he does for each day behind the scenes. We always appreciate your feedback and we are always willing to listen to your concerns.
Covid Schedule 5/15/20.
Sunday and Wednesday Covid Schedule as of 5/15/20.
Sunday Morning Bible Study (9:45am) suspended indefinitely.
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Sunday Morning Worship (10:45am) Worship Service.
-Please come at least 15 min early.-
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Sunday Evening Worship Service (5:00pm) suspended indefinitely.
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Wednesday Evening Bible study (6:30pm).
-Please come at least 10 min early.-
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Thursday 10AM, Womens Bible study online.
5/3/20 Covid schedule announcement.
Church Reopening Update
Church of Christ at Coeur d Alene
Brethren,
We first wanted to thank everyone for their compassion in these times. By staying home, we have helped to slow the spread of the virus in our area and not only protect our members, but also those in our community who we are trying to serve.
Under the current guidelines for opening up Idaho, we are tentatively planning to reopen the building for services again on May 1st. This decision will be based on guidance from Idaho’s Governor Brad Little this coming week. Once cleared for reopening, we will be opening in phases and take some extra precautions to continue to keep people as safe as we can. The phased reopening will allow us to improve our preventative measures and better protect our members.
Phased Reopening
- Phase 1 (Tentatively May 1st) – Sunday AM Worship [10:45 AM] and Wednesday PM Bible Class [6:30 PM]
- Phase 2 (TBD) – Sunday AM Class
- Phase 3 (TBD) – Sunday PM Worship
- Phase 4 (TBD) – Home Groups
Entering the building
We wanted to highlight how the services at the building will be modified in order to help protect each member. In order to continue to keep everyone safe, we want to maintain social distancing by marking the sidewalk and asking everyone as they enter the building to maintain a 6-foot distance apart. We will also be taking everyone’s temperature before they enter the building. People with a fever will be asked to go home to prevent others from getting sick. Members are encouraged to wear face coverings, but this is at their own discretion. We have included a link at the bottom of this letter with guidance on making your own face-covering based on the CDC guidelines. If you have COVID-19 you are asked to stay home, isolate, and following your doctor’s instructions.
Worship
Seating in the auditorium will be arranged in a way that we can maintain social distancing. We will also be providing hand sanitizer in the window sills at the back of the building as well as in each window sill in the auditorium. The Lord’s supper will be distributed with a piece of bread in a cup and the members distributing the supper will be wearing gloves and a face mask. In order to prevent everyone from touching the plate and potentially spreading germs those distributing the supper will hand each member their individual cup. The songs will also be projected using the projector to eliminate the need to clean each songbook after every service. Services will continue to be streamed online for a few weeks as members gain the confidence to come back.
Exiting the building
Once service has completed, we would ask that members continue to maintain the social distancing guidelines by not standing in the hallway and maintaining a path for members trying to exit the building. Before the doors are locked, we will take the opportunity to clean the high touch areas of the building to help prevent the spread of the virus.
Sick Hotline
If you are or become ill during the week we would ask that you email us at notifyus@churchofchristatcda.org or call 208-664-2458 and leave a voicemail. This allows us to make sure you are okay and monitor the situation.
These are trying times, but they teach us to appreciate the people in our lives and not taking those relationships for granted. It also teaches us to have gratitude toward God and the things he does for each day behind the scenes. We always appreciate your feedback and we are always willing to listen to your concerns.
DIY Face Covering - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/DIY-cloth-face-covering-instructions.pdf
