Pastor Cade shares some changes to our current policy in light of recent CDC updates.
FIRST BAPTIST COVID POLICY UPDATE – MAY 2021
Last week the CDC updated their policy guidance on masks and social distancing. We have discussed our COVID-19 protocols as a church staff and want to update you on the changes we have already made and the ones we will be making.
Several weeks ago we stopped doing temperature checks for all of our Next Gen ministry spaces, the church office, and the lobby of the CFLC on Wednesday nights before church dinner. That was in response to Governor Kemp recently lifting restrictions on the in-person gatherings for churches. In light of last week’s CDC announcement, we will be making the following changes to our other COVID-19 protocols of masks and social distancing:
- Beginning on Sunday, May 23, we will no longer provide any directions about dismissal in our sanctuary worship services. We will dismiss everyone at the same time.
Beginning on Sunday, May 23, masks will no longer be required in all stairwells, lobbies, elevators, and other smaller spaces. Masks are still recommended, for these tighter spaces in our church. - Beginning on Sunday, May 30, we will no longer be requiring social distancing in almost every section of our worship gatherings. The tape will be removed in the sanctuary that marks off every other pew. The seating in the New Life Building main floor will continue to be set with the rows set six feet apart, but we will add additional seating to the main floor as needed based on our attendance.
- Beginning on Sunday, May 30, masks will no longer be recommended but considered optional for ALL ages. This is a shift from masks being recommended for adults but required for children and youth in Next Gen spaces. Starting on May 30, masks are optional for all ages in all worship services and classrooms.
- Beginning on Sunday, May 30, staff and volunteers will no longer be required to wear masks, and our elevator operators will no longer be in place. Masks are recommended in elevators, but volunteers will no longer be operating the elevator for you.
- The only thing at this time that will remain the same with our current protocols is the balcony of the 11:00 worship service in the sanctuary. We will continue at this time to offer a mask required and socially distanced space in our balcony at the 11:00 service. If you sit in the balcony for that service, you must wear a mask the entire length of the worship service and sit at least six feet away from others outside of your family unit.
All of these protocol changes are subject to revision in the future based on the conditions of our community and recommendations of our governing and health authorities.
You have done an outstanding job as a church family navigating these past fourteen months. By God’s grace, we believe we are coming to the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Let us show mercy and no judgment, as masks are here to stay with us now as a society because of this past year. Be mindful of other’s comfort levels with shaking hands, hugs, and the distance between you and them. May God continue to give us wisdom, faith, and unity as we move forward together toward the normalcy that all of us long to experience as a church family.
In Christ,
Pastor Cade