The Governor’s office recently announced a change in Covid-19 restrictions for faith based ministries. This means that we can have 100 people in the auditorium, 75 in the Community Hall, and 50 on the fourth floor starting this Sunday, December 6th. These numbers are based on Multnomah’s current risk level. The number of people who can come to service will increase as Covid-19 cases go down. Even though cases are rising, the Governor’s office determined that settings like churches have proven to be a safe place for people to responsibly gather. We remain committed to making services as safe as possible through social distancing, wearing masks, and maintaining good airflow.

To say the least, the elders are excited at the opportunity to gather more of us together. The weight of not gathering as an entire congregation grows heavier over time. We rejoice at the opportunity to see more of you each Sunday.

In light of the most recent guidance, the elders approved some encouraging changes to our morning and evening services last night. The changes are outlined below. What remains unchanged is our love for you. Our greatest desire is that we walk in the truth in love together as a church. We know this can’t be accomplished merely by live-streaming our services. But due to the ongoing risk that the virus poses for some people, we will continue to livestream our services (morning and evening) to care for those who need to shelter-in-place. If you have any questions, call the church office or talk to an elder. Michael will also address the changes this Sunday morning.

So What’s Changed? 

No More Cohorts

Every member and visitor will receive an invitation to attend every morning and evening service every Sunday. The registrations for each space will be “first come, first serve”. Once a space (Auditorium, Community Hall, and Fourth Floor) fills, register for the next space available until all the registrations are filled for that service.

Everyone is Welcome to Register

If you are at-risk, use wisdom when deciding to come. Here is a link to the Oregon Health Authority with more information about at-risk individuals.

Registration

You can register as usual through the regular email we send on Tuesday mornings. Now, you can also register through the Church Center app under “Events”. The registration will appear in the app on Tuesday mornings when the email invitation is sent out. See how to register through the app here. If you register and discover you can’t come, please cancel your registration on the church app or contact the church. See how to cancel here. We ask you to be generous with where you register. For example, if you have been in the auditorium multiple weeks in a row, register for another space for the upcoming Sunday so others can come to the auditorium.

Registrations for this upcoming Sunday will begin later today. You will be invited to register when the invitation goes out to everyone.

Checking In

Once you have registered, you will no longer check-in on your phone. No more QR codes. Someone will manually check you in as you come in the building. Also, there will no longer be temperature checks when you come. (Data is showing the inconsistency of temperature checks and they are no longer required.) We want to continue to love each other well. If you are exposed to Covid-19, display new symptoms, or have the virus itself, please cancel your registration and stay home. We look forward to gathering with you when you are well.

Community Hall

At the request of some of our older members, we are trying out a new idea—make the Community Hall an “extra-safe” space. Meaning, we will try to make it as close to an outside service as possible. The doors will be open and fans will be running, so it will be cold. If you register for the Community Hall, dress warm. Feel free to bring coats, gloves, blankets, whatever will help you be comfortable in a colder than normal setting.

The Lord’s Supper

Beginning this Sunday, December 6th, we will resume practicing the Lord’s Supper on the first Sunday of the month in the morning service. Additionally, we will take the Lord’s Supper in the evening service on the second Sunday of the month. In both instances, the Lord’s Supper will not be livestreamed. It will be for those physically present in the building after the regular livestream concludes.

After Service

Safety is still a priority, so ushers will immediately release everyone from the building when the service concludes. With more bodies in the room, this becomes even more important. We understand the importance of fellowship after the service, we just ask that you talk outside in the parking lots. Let’s try to stay off the sidewalks for the sake of our neighbors who need safe access to walk by the building.

With all these changes, please don’t misunderstand - we still believe that the virus presents a serious real health threat to some people. As before, we are counting on individuals to make informed decisions about whether or not to gather with the church at this time. For those who feel that it is unsafe for them to gather with the church, we will continue to livestream the morning and evening services.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Again, please contact any elders or the church office if you have questions.

Grace and Peace,
Neal Woollard