NEW WORSHIP TIMES
In order to provide a more orderly opening, Holy Cross will be modifying service time to 8AM Tradional and 10AM Contemporary. These new times will allow for a timely transition between services. Between services, we will fully sanitize the facilities including disinfecting and restocking restrooms and cleaning all sufaces in the occupied areas.
REOPENING SAFELY
This carefully managed reopening comes with stringent new health, safety and hygiene procedures in place.
Exposure to COVID-19 is an inherent risk in any public location where people are present; we cannot guarantee you will not be exposed during your attendance. Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. We invite anyone in these higher risk categories to continue to enjoy the worship service streamed online. We are working hard to ensure that the experience is similar wherever you choose to worship.
In accordance with CDC guidelines we have enhanced sanitation procedures and implemented additional measures for distance spacing and screening.
Face covering required
For the safety of others, everyone is required to wear a face covering during their visit. If you do not feel comfortable wearing a face covering, we invite you to continue the worship experience online rather than at an enclosed public venue.
Wash hands often
Wash your hands with soap and water often for at least 20 seconds when making use of the lavatory facilities.
Use hand sanitizer when entering and exiting.
At select locations including entrances, guests will be able to use hand sanitizer.
Social distancing
Practice social distancing and keep at least 6 feet (2 meters) between your party and others. Seat groupings are designed to assist with social distancing. To allow sufficient space for others, please select a seating group that best accommodates your group’s size.
Avoid contact with people who are sick
Please note the CDC advises that older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Guests should evaluate their risk in determining whether to attend. People who show no symptoms can spread COVID-19 if they are infected, any interaction with the general public poses an elevated risk of being exposed to COVID-19, and we cannot guarantee that you will not be exposed during your attendance.
We appreciate your cooperation during this unprecedented time. Visit the CDC website for the latest guidelines.
Due to the evolving nature of this situation, details are subject to change without notice.
“Why are you requiring people to wear masks as we return to church?”
After discussion, study and prayer, and out of an abundance of caution, we decided it would be best to follow the guidelines that recommend wearing a mask when we gather together. We have made it a requirement rather than a suggestion because masks are most effective when everyone is wearing them. We believe this will help to keep people safe. Our primary goal as we return to in-person worship is to do so as safely as possible. The wearing of masks is only one of several steps we are taking to create a safe environment.
“Will the pastors and worship team be wearing masks?”
Yes, the pastors and worship team will be wearing masks anytime they are not on stage performing their duties. We have decided to follow the practice we have seen elsewhere, particularly with schools, where a speaker will remove their mask when speaking. This is for the simple reason that the pastors and praise team need to be seen and heard clearly so that we can literally be understood by people in the room and on the live stream. However, we have taken additional cautions in the placing of the first row to increase the distance from there to where the singers and pastors normally stand to roughly 3 times the social distancing requirement. But at any other time, and just as we have done during drive-through communion previously, we will all be wearing masks.
“What if I have an issue that prevents me from wearing a mask? What if I refuse to wear a mask?”
In that case, we invite you to continue to enjoy our online worship experience. We pledge to continue the same quality of streaming and the interactivity that we have included so that people can feel more connected. We also plan on hosting more drive-through communion days for those people that are unable to attend in person services.
“What if I don’t have a mask?”
We’ve got you covered and will have masks available for people that do not have their own.
“But masks don’t work! They make things worse! It’s a conspiracy!”
We understand that some people do actually believe that, nevertheless we have chosen to follow the CDC guidelines in this matter. If you disagree, again we invite you to continue to enjoy our online worship experience where not only do we not require masks, but we don’t even require shoes!