CHURCH BUILDING STATUS: Re-Opening on August 9th, 2020 at 11 AM
(check back on the Thursday before services for any updates/changes)
(check back on the Thursday before services for any updates/changes)
Updated: July 29, 2020
The Church Council has decided to reopen the building on August 9th for 11 AM worship service. We will be following the health and safety protocols that have been established by our Church Health Committee (see below). Thank you to all who have participated in our survey and discernment process.
We will continue with ZOOM, YouTube, and Facebook Live for the 11 AM service (more info: click here). So, if you are not comfortable with coming out to worship—please join us online or by phone.
Weekly Statistics Data Page for COVID-19 Cases in Cumberland County- CLICK HERE
Latest COVID-19 Case Numbers and Details on the Map for Cumberland County- CLICK HERE
REOPENING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:
THINGS BGCC WILL DO
Cleaning the Church:
The church will be cleaned and fogged/disinfected weekly.
Procedure for Entering the Church:
1. On the day of services, please arrive between 10-20 minutes early to allow for the staggered seating. Please be advised that no entry
will be permitted into the sanctuary building after 11:05 AM.
2. Two volunteers (one person inside and one outside) will give directions for how to enter into church.
They will remind people to wear a mask and social distance.
3. Stagger entry into church:
A. One person or family on the entry steps.
B .You will be asked if you took your temperature at home, if not, we will take it for you.
C. Hand sanitizer will be provided at the church entry, and everyone is to sanitize as they enter.
D. One person or family on the stairway up to the sanctuary.
E. As one person is walking up the stairs to the sanctuary, another person can enter the church.
Procedure for Seating:
1. Doors into the sanctuary will remain open until service begins.
2. Parishioners sit 6 feet apart, unless they are family.
3. Pews will be filled from front to back, and someone will be there to help direct you to your seat.
4. No lingering in the aisles – please enter and sit down.
Procedure for Exiting the Church:
1. Upstairs doors reopened.
2. Someone will dismiss you by row, starting at the back.
3. Hand sanitizer provided at both exits, please re-sanitize when leaving.
4. Use the stairwell on the side you were seated.
5. Do not congregate at the bottom of the stairs.
6. Maintain safe distancing at all times.
Procedure for Communion:
1. Individual packets provided - Take one while entering the sanctuary.
2. Anyone uncomfortable with the packets can bring their own communion supplies.
3. Everyone will take their trash and discard it on the way out.
Procedure for Offering:
1. We encourage the continuation of online and giving by mail.
2. Offering boxes are placed by the upstairs doors.
3. We ask that no cash be given at this time, only checks or online donations.
Procedures for Music:
Singing softly will be allowed with masks remaining on.
Children’s Ministries:
1. There will be no children’s church or nursery care until further notice.
2. Children stay with parents.
Other:
1 . Bibles and Hymnals removed from pews.
2. No Bulletins.
3. Greeter will check the names off as people come in.
4. Masks are available at the entry if someone needs one.
5. Greeter will sanitize chair lift between users.
THINGS FOR YOU TO DO/THINK ABOUT
Should You Come to Church?
1. Things to be aware of:
A. Are you in the vulnerable age group (65 and above)?
B. Do you have pre-existing conditions?
2. Cautions for day of services:
A. Do you feel ill? (cough, fever, sore throat, or other covid-19 symptoms) If so, please stay home until symptoms subside.
B. Please take your temperature before heading to church. Are you running a fever? If so, please stay home until symptoms subside.
C. Have you been in recent contact with a Covid positive person? If so, we are asking that you wait the recommended 14 days to
return to church.
D. Have you recently been to/through one of the states that are considered to be a hot spot or at risk state? If so, we are asking that
you wait the recommended 14 days to return to church.
What Should You Bring With You to Church?
•Your bible
•Your mask
•Tissues
•Hand Sanitizer
Things to Remember:
1. Wear your mask.
2. Social distancing at all times.
3. Seating protocol.
4. No hugging, kissing, or hand shaking.
5. Use hand sanitizer.
6. Remember good hand washing.
7. No lingering in the aisles or hallways.
8. Think twice--- do you really need to use the bathroom right now, or can you wait till you’re home?
These guidelines have been developed by our Health/Reopening Steering Committee: Fran Diachenko, RN (Chair), Judy Wastell, RN, Carmen Oldknow, Don Martindale, and Carla Plummer. You may contact the Committee at health@bethanyinbridgeton.com. If you’d like to share your thoughts, concerns, questions, and ideas with us as we navigate our response to this situation, we’d love to hear from you. Your input and feedback are truly important to us.
You can watch the Church Meeting on Reopening Guidelines- CLICK HERE.
The Church Council has also decided the following:
You are encouraged you to use our Right Now Media Library. You can sign-up at http://bit.ly/2TMrWrs. RightNow Media has a tremendous resource of children’s programming as well.
We are asking that you consider that the church still has bills to pay during this time of uncertainty. If you are able, please start giving electronically at www.bethanyinbridgeton.com/donate or mail your offering to the church at 31 N. Pearl St., Bridgeton, NJ 08302.
Let us remain committed to prayer and acts of love during this time of uncertainty as we keep our eyes focused on Jesus!
In Christ,
Pastor Rob and the BGCC Church Council
The Church Council has decided to reopen the building on August 9th for 11 AM worship service. We will be following the health and safety protocols that have been established by our Church Health Committee (see below). Thank you to all who have participated in our survey and discernment process.
We will continue with ZOOM, YouTube, and Facebook Live for the 11 AM service (more info: click here). So, if you are not comfortable with coming out to worship—please join us online or by phone.
Weekly Statistics Data Page for COVID-19 Cases in Cumberland County- CLICK HERE
Latest COVID-19 Case Numbers and Details on the Map for Cumberland County- CLICK HERE
REOPENING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:
THINGS BGCC WILL DO
Cleaning the Church:
The church will be cleaned and fogged/disinfected weekly.
Procedure for Entering the Church:
1. On the day of services, please arrive between 10-20 minutes early to allow for the staggered seating. Please be advised that no entry
will be permitted into the sanctuary building after 11:05 AM.
2. Two volunteers (one person inside and one outside) will give directions for how to enter into church.
They will remind people to wear a mask and social distance.
3. Stagger entry into church:
A. One person or family on the entry steps.
B .You will be asked if you took your temperature at home, if not, we will take it for you.
C. Hand sanitizer will be provided at the church entry, and everyone is to sanitize as they enter.
D. One person or family on the stairway up to the sanctuary.
E. As one person is walking up the stairs to the sanctuary, another person can enter the church.
Procedure for Seating:
1. Doors into the sanctuary will remain open until service begins.
2. Parishioners sit 6 feet apart, unless they are family.
3. Pews will be filled from front to back, and someone will be there to help direct you to your seat.
4. No lingering in the aisles – please enter and sit down.
Procedure for Exiting the Church:
1. Upstairs doors reopened.
2. Someone will dismiss you by row, starting at the back.
3. Hand sanitizer provided at both exits, please re-sanitize when leaving.
4. Use the stairwell on the side you were seated.
5. Do not congregate at the bottom of the stairs.
6. Maintain safe distancing at all times.
Procedure for Communion:
1. Individual packets provided - Take one while entering the sanctuary.
2. Anyone uncomfortable with the packets can bring their own communion supplies.
3. Everyone will take their trash and discard it on the way out.
Procedure for Offering:
1. We encourage the continuation of online and giving by mail.
2. Offering boxes are placed by the upstairs doors.
3. We ask that no cash be given at this time, only checks or online donations.
Procedures for Music:
Singing softly will be allowed with masks remaining on.
Children’s Ministries:
1. There will be no children’s church or nursery care until further notice.
2. Children stay with parents.
Other:
1 . Bibles and Hymnals removed from pews.
2. No Bulletins.
3. Greeter will check the names off as people come in.
4. Masks are available at the entry if someone needs one.
5. Greeter will sanitize chair lift between users.
THINGS FOR YOU TO DO/THINK ABOUT
Should You Come to Church?
1. Things to be aware of:
A. Are you in the vulnerable age group (65 and above)?
B. Do you have pre-existing conditions?
2. Cautions for day of services:
A. Do you feel ill? (cough, fever, sore throat, or other covid-19 symptoms) If so, please stay home until symptoms subside.
B. Please take your temperature before heading to church. Are you running a fever? If so, please stay home until symptoms subside.
C. Have you been in recent contact with a Covid positive person? If so, we are asking that you wait the recommended 14 days to
return to church.
D. Have you recently been to/through one of the states that are considered to be a hot spot or at risk state? If so, we are asking that
you wait the recommended 14 days to return to church.
What Should You Bring With You to Church?
•Your bible
•Your mask
•Tissues
•Hand Sanitizer
Things to Remember:
1. Wear your mask.
2. Social distancing at all times.
3. Seating protocol.
4. No hugging, kissing, or hand shaking.
5. Use hand sanitizer.
6. Remember good hand washing.
7. No lingering in the aisles or hallways.
8. Think twice--- do you really need to use the bathroom right now, or can you wait till you’re home?
These guidelines have been developed by our Health/Reopening Steering Committee: Fran Diachenko, RN (Chair), Judy Wastell, RN, Carmen Oldknow, Don Martindale, and Carla Plummer. You may contact the Committee at health@bethanyinbridgeton.com. If you’d like to share your thoughts, concerns, questions, and ideas with us as we navigate our response to this situation, we’d love to hear from you. Your input and feedback are truly important to us.
You can watch the Church Meeting on Reopening Guidelines- CLICK HERE.
The Church Council has also decided the following:
- The Agape Cafe will continue to be a grab n' go lunch at 1:00 PM on Sunday (change in time effective in August). First come, first serve. Participants must observe 6 feet of social distancing. For more information, CLICK HERE
- The Food Pantry will resume outdoors on the Fourth Saturday (moved from the Third Saturday) of the month effective in August. For more information on volunteering and donating, please CLICK HERE.
- The Weekly Shower Program on Monday evenings is suspended until further notice.
- Adult Bible Study will not be meeting during the months of July and August. Adult Sunday School will not be meeting during the month of August.
- The Church Office will be closed on Fridays during the month of July and August. The Office will be open from 9 AM- 3 PM on Monday through Thursday. All in-person visits to the office must be made by appointment only. All donations are by appointment only. Please call 1-855-818-3810 or email info@bethanyinbridgeton.com.
You are encouraged you to use our Right Now Media Library. You can sign-up at http://bit.ly/2TMrWrs. RightNow Media has a tremendous resource of children’s programming as well.
We are asking that you consider that the church still has bills to pay during this time of uncertainty. If you are able, please start giving electronically at www.bethanyinbridgeton.com/donate or mail your offering to the church at 31 N. Pearl St., Bridgeton, NJ 08302.
Let us remain committed to prayer and acts of love during this time of uncertainty as we keep our eyes focused on Jesus!
In Christ,
Pastor Rob and the BGCC Church Council
