We will reopen on a limited basis beginning May 3
On Wednesday, April 22, governor Stitt laid out his state reopening plan. On Friday, April 24, mayor Bynum announced that Tulsa would follow the governor’s plan. In looking at the plan outline by the governor, phase 1 begins on May 1. Under phase 1 churches may resume gatherings provided they comply with CDC recommendations. Those recommendations include sanitation issues, social distancing and the use of facemasks.
While all of us are longing for things to return to normal, we need to understand things are not normal yet. In fact, they may not be normal for some time. While we all want to resume public worship together in the same place, we will cautiously resume public meetings on a limited basis. We will continue live streaming the service and Sunday School classes that have established an online class will continue. We also encourage other classes to consider this option. We will also continue our online Wednesday evening prayer and Bible study. If you have questions on how you can be part of the Wednesday service contact Karen Collins.
IT IS CRITICAL WE ALL UNDERSTAND THE CRISIS IS NOT OVER AND THOSE WHO ARE IN THE HIGH-RISK CATEGORY MUST CONTINUE TO AVOID EXPOSURE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. THIS MEANS, STAY HOME. IF YOU ARE SICK, STAY HOME. IF YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO SOMEONE WHO HAS TESTED POSITIVE, YOU NEED TO SELF-ISOLATE FOR AT LEAST 14 DAYS. IF YOU HAVE A FEVER, STAY HOME. IF YOU ARE CONCERNED, STAY HOME.
“Pastor, are you trying to discourage us from attending church?” Yes, if you are high-risk, have been or are sick, or if you have any concern about public gathering, stay home. As I’ve already stated, we will continue to live stream the service, so you can continue as you have been for the last several weeks. Your health is more important that your attendance at the building right now.
You actually have three (3) options moving forward:
- You can continue to participate through online viewing from our YouTube channel just as you have been for the last few weeks.
- You can join with another family or friends that you would feel comfortable gathering with to watch and participate through the live stream.
- You can gather with us at the church building and participate in the worship service. If you choose this third option you must cooperate with us by following the guidelines.
With this in mind, I would like to outline how we will proceed (this is subject to change):
- We will begin with Sunday morning worship only. Worship will begin at 11:00 AM.
- We ask that you wear a face mask (as a demonstration of your concern for others). We know this is difficult but important for the protection of others. Only those leading in worship will be without masks during the service.
- We ask that you practice social distancing (stay 6 feet apart). We also ask that you move to a seat and minimize conversations. Yes, that is hard but it is hard to practice social distancing when you start gathering in conversations. Distance tends to shorten!
- We will not have a “welcome time” as we want to limit close contact (yes, that’s hard!).
- There will not be coffee stations.
- We will not “pass the plate.”
Containers will be available to drop your offering in as you come into worship or as you leave.
- We will remove chairs to aid with social distancing.
- We will not have a choir but will use a limited number to help Bobby.
- We ask that as you find your seat, you leave extra chairs (preferably 3) between family groups.
- There will be no nursery (nurseries, per the governor’s plan, are not allowed until phase 2).
No, this is not ideal but these are not ideal times. These are necessary for now. We are making sure we have necessary supplies on hand to enable us to sanitize common areas (restrooms, door knobs etc.) and that we wipe things down before you arrive on Sunday. Every precaution will be taken. But, as I stated before, if you are in that high-risk category (over 65, have underlying conditions, are anticipating surgery or having recently had surgery) you should stay home.
If you have any concerns about whether you should attend or whether you think we are beginning too soon, you should stay home. At this point, public gathering for worship, is an option. It is a matter of personal choice or conviction. Because of this pandemic, the choice between public gathering and virtual gathering IS NOT a choice between the godly and less godly option. It is a matter on conscience. By all means, we want everyone to be safe.
In closing just let me express my appreciation to you for your financial faithfulness. Our income has not been significantly impacted by the crisis up to this point. Thank you for your faithfulness. You can use our online giving option through the church website, you can mail it in or you can come by the church and drop it in the mail slot on the wall east (to the left) of the office door. With our limited use of the building, our expenses are down considerably. Also, due to the shutdown and the uncertainty of the summer, VBS, youth, and children’s camps will be different this year. We are already considering cost-saving measures as we know the economic impact of this shutdown will likely begin to show in the next few weeks and months.
God is good and still firmly seated on His throne!
Pastor Rod