Updated Worship Guidelines - 7/22/20

Dear MEFC Family:

First, we want to thank each of you for the tremendous Grace, Love, Compassion and Care you have shown for each other during the past few months. This has been a trying, stressful and tragic time for many in our small church. We have truly witnessed this body being the hands and feet of Jesus, and it has been a tremendous joy and encouragement to watch this body of believers at work. May God Bless each and every one of you as only He can do.

The Board wanted to make you aware of some slight changes for Sunday Worship Services and remind everyone of what we ask as you attend a worship service at MEFC.

Changes

Sanctuary - Beginning Sunday, July 26, the sanctuary will have every other row open for seating (empty row between rows of people). The open rows will be marked for easy identification. Seating will be on a first come first serve basis, and you are free to seat yourselves. Ushers will be available to help you and answer questions. Please be aware that it’s possible that you may be asked to sit in the same row as someone that is not part of your immediate family. If this is a concern for you, please consider sitting in the chairs in the fellowship hall or join us online via our livestream.

Coffee & Treats – At some point in the near future, we will again offer coffee and possibly a small treat prior to the service. All drink and treats will be served to you by volunteers adhering to recommended guidelines. This will not be a self-serve process as it has been in the past.

Reminders

Sanitize hands - We still ask that everyone sanitize their hands upon entering and leaving the building.

6 ft Guideline - We still ask that everyone keep in mind the 6 ft social distancing guidelines within the building.

Masks - We encourage people attending to wear a mask as recommended by the CDC, but we will not require it, so please be aware that there will probably those attending that will not be wearing masks when making your decision to attend.

Live Streaming at home – We recommend live streaming at home for the following:

• For those who are elderly or who have underlying conditions that put them at risk should they contract the COVID 19 virus.

• Those who have COVID 19 like symptoms or who have had contact with anyone with COVID 19 symptoms.

Cleaning - Our cleaning and sanitizing protocols for the building are ongoing and will remain in place.

Offering - Offering plates will be stationed in the east and west foyers. We will not pass the offering plate during the service.

After Service - We request that all social interaction be moved outside the church building to make it easier to maintain social distancing. It is much harder to spread the COVID 19 virus outdoors so please try to observe this practice as much as possible.

Please be aware that attending MEFC services in person could increase your risk of spreading or contracting the COVID 19 virus. We all need to do what we can to minimize those risks as much as possible. If you have concerns about contracting this virus, please consider not attending in-person.

We believe in the autonomy of the believer, which means you are free without presumption to attend in person or via our online platform, the choice is yours to make. We hold no one in judgement should you decide not to attend. This is an individual decision.

We look forward to the time that we can gather and worship together without having to consider these types of things.

In Christ,

MEFC Board