Reopening Guidelines
1. If you are in a risk category because of your age or being immunocompromised, or you simply prefer to worship at home, we encourage you to choose one of our other worship
options (see home page) instead of gathering physically.
2. Health Risks: Please stay at home if you have a fever (100.4F or higher), cough, sore throat, muscle aches, headache, new loss of smell or taste or have been in close contact with someone in the last 14 days who is being tested or has tested positive for Covid-19.
(The CDC defines close contact as “anyone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 48 hours before the person began feeling sick until
the time the infected person was isolated.”)
3. Social Distance: Use social distance of 6 feet or more between non-family members at all times.
4. Masks are required for people 6 and older while in the building. The only exception is
when someone is speaking or singing from the stage.
5 If you need to cough or sneeze, please cover your cough/sneeze in your elbow.
6 As you enter our Starbuck building or Central Square, doors will either be propped opened or opened by one person to prevent multiple people touching the door.
7. Greeters will greet using social distance of 6 feet or more. Please refrain from handshakes, hugs, elbow bumps, or physical touch.
8. The bulletins and communion cups (on communion Sundays) will be set out on the
welcome table for each person to take their own (please take a self-contained communion
“kit” before sitting down).
9. In Glenwood, all four doors to the auditorium will be propped open before and after the service to allow people to enter or exit using the least traveled route and maintaining social distance of 6 or more feet.
10. In Glenwood, aisles will be roped off for social distancing with 8’ between each open aisle. There are 235 seats still open and available on the main floor alone! Each family should sit together and leave at least 4 seats between you and other families.
In Starbuck the chairs are arranged to allow social distancing. Leave at least 3 seats between you and other families
11. In Glenwood, the wheelchair accessible platform accessed through the 4th and 5th doors on the right after entering from the parking lot will be reserved for seniors and those physically unable to use the general seating.
12. In Glenwood, the balcony section of the auditorium will be opened for families with small children if they prefer to sit away from the main group. The balcony section is large and will provide plenty of space for each family to have extra room and still have distance between families.
13. Children’s church and nursery will be offered if volunteers are available. Parents will need to check in their children which will include a set of questions and a temperature check. These ministries may be canceled at the last minute if volunteers are sick. Children’s church packets will be available for use. Families should not share packets another family.
14. No food or beverages served. Please bring your own water, coffee or snacks for children if needed.
15. The order of service will look different, with worship music being sung at the end. For those who are especially uncomfortable with public singing, this gives you an opportunity to exit the sanctuary or auditorium during this portion of the service
16. There will be no offering plate passed, however, a box for offering will be set on the welcome table. Online offering is always another option and can be done via our website www.hopecefc.org/giving. Checks can be mailed to PO Box 193, Glenwood, MN 56334.
17. Attendees are encouraged to fellowship outside when weather appropriate. All fellowship should include a social distance of 6 feet or more. Avoid standing in front of doorways where people need to pass.
18. Doors, light switches, bathrooms will be disinfected before and after the service. Hand sanitizer will be available. Gloves will be provided for volunteers for counting money and disinfecting.