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Everything you wanted to know about coming back to church in the midst of a Covid-19 pandemic …

 

 

The Basics

 

Everyone is required to wear a mask at all times when inside of the church. 

 

Everyone is required to properly sanitize their hands before entering the church.

 

Everyone is required to sign in upon entering the church for contact tracing.

 

First and foremost, people will be there to let you know what needs to be done and where to go.  You do not need to remember every one of these details.  We will guide you along!

 

 

Registering for a seat at the service…

 

There will be two services each week.  One on Sundays at 10 am and the same service on Wednesdays at 10 am.  Registration “opens” on the Sunday prior to that week.  To sign up please go to the blog on our website entitled "Registration for Worship Services":

 

Click Here to Follow Registration Instructions

 

Registrations will be taken on a first come first serve basis.

 

If we cannot register someone because the service is full, that person or couple will be given priority for the next service.  Please email us to let us know…ruthanne@ascensionportperry.com

 

 

Online Services:

 

For the time being, a service, similar to the one we’ve been producing so far, will be available online each Sunday for that week. 

 

We are working on our visual system and look forward to being able to livestream our services on Sundays.  You’ll be able to watch them at the time they are happening, or the recording at a later time.  We will let you know when these are up and running!

 

 

What it will be like when you arrive at church…

 

You will be wearing a mask, as will everyone else.

 

A sides-person will greet you and direct you to the hand sanitizer.  You will then enter the narthex and “sign in” with the person at the desk.  Then a second sides person will point out the general direction of where you can be seated. 

 

Seating: 

 

Seating has been marked and taped off so that people are sitting at least 6 feet away from each other.  Some spots accommodate two people, others one person.  There are two pews at the back for a family.

 

We will be seating people from front to back to manage as little movement and passing of others within the church.  Please be respectful and sit where you are asked to be seated.

 

Your bulletin will be at your pew.  This is yours to keep or to recycle after the service (a recycle box will be placed by the back exit door (hall doors).

 

Singing:

 

For now we are not singing during the service.  Music is being arranged to allow you to meditate and reflect on the words when appropriate.  Humming is expected.

 

Offering:

 

As there will be no movement through the service, apart from the reception of communion, you may place your offering (if you bring it with you) in the basket available when you enter the church.

 

The Eucharist:

 

Communion will be received in one kind as a wafer.

 

You will be invited to form a line in the centre aisle, appropriately distanced.  Each communicant will come forward to the spot designated by a circular sign on the carpet in between the first two pews.  You will stand here while the celebrant says, “The body of Christ, broken for you”.  Then you will move forward to the celebrant and receive the wafer.  You will then move approximately 6 feet to the side (depending on which side you are returning to) and then consume your wafer.  You may then return to your seat.

 

The end of the service:

 

The service will end with the doxology, blessing and dismissal, followed by a musical piece.  You are invited to leave through the front side door and then through the hall exit doors.  Please observe distancing while moving through the church.  Some may wish to sit a bit longer in the church for prayer.  We ask that you refrain from beginning conversations with others until you are outside.

 

Washrooms:

If you need to use the washroom you are most welcome to do so.  Hand sanitizer is located inside the hall doors and we ask that you use this prior to reentering the church.

 

Other things to note:

 

Water is not available at the church.  If you think you may need some, please bring a water bottle with you.

 

Please do not enter the church hall unless you need to use the washroom.

 

We know it is difficult to wear a mask for any length of time.  You are invited, throughout the service, to take whichever posture is most comfortable for you.  We encourage people to remain seated throughout.

 

If you feel at all uncomfortable and need to leave the church to go outside, do not hesitate to do so at any point during the service, whether for a break or to leave entirely.  We understand!  And a blessing goes with you.