On
May 26th, the worship Committees of both Congregations met
to discuss a number of things including a plan for
re-opening. As we were fine-tuning the plan Premier Ford
made an announcement that places of worship could open at
30% capacity.
Sounds
simple but it was quickly followed by the "fine print" which
included:
The
regulations include the following expectations: (below are
expected)
The ongoing need for physical distancing and maintaining a
distance of 2 metres between household “bubbles”.
No congregational singing.
Maintaining a registry of contact information for each
person who attends each in-person event.
On
Friday the Assembly of Elders of the Regional Council passed
these guidelines:
2020-06-12-086
MOTION (R. Lambie/N. Sutherland) That the East Central
Ontario Regional Council Assembly of Elders:
a) strongly recommend that no churches reopen for public
worship before Labour Day weekend;
b) expect that every Community of Faith prepare guidelines
for reopening and submit their plan to the Regional Council
(
ecorc@cogeco.ca),
two weeks prior to their proposed opening date;
c) agree to post and circulate the information and resources
pertaining to safely reopening Communities of Faith;
d) strongly encourage Communities of Faith to be in touch
with their local health units;
e) expect that every Community of Faith create a separate
plan with guidelines for reopening buildings to rentals and
community activities or Community groups; and
f) continue to provide information, as developments require.
CARRIED.
The
CASTLETON-GRAFTON PLAN is as follows (given that Rev. Jean
is on Education Leave for last two weeks of June, and on
holidays for the month of July):
1.
Coverage for the last 2 weeks of June - Brian will lead
service for Father's Day. Rev. Janet Warren will lead
worship on June 28th.
2. Online services for July will be on hiatus (Castleton
normally closes for July). I will provide list of other
online services to the our members and adherents to enjoy
during July.
3. Services for August will be outdoors, at 10 am on Sundays
- weather permitting. IN case of rain the service will be
recorded and posted on our YouTube Channel
4. We will meet again mid August to consider what happens as
of Sept.
5. Rev. Jean will investigate ordering 500 masks for use at
services
ALSO,
there are two documents attached:
1.
Ontario Workplace safety requirements for Worship places:
Link
to pdf2.
A Tool for assessing Risks in re-opening:
Link to pdf
I
know it is a lot to take in, but please read and help us
come up with further plans for a safe re-opening.
Rev.
Jean
Rev.
Jean Wilson,
Retired
Supply Minister - Castleton Grafton Pastoral
Charge
East
Central Ontario Regional Council
The United Church of Canada \ Église Unie du
Canada