When are we going to meet?

We will offer two identical services on Sundays at 8:30 am and 10:00 am.  Each service will be approximately 45 minutes.  The 10:00 am service will be livestreamed here.

Should I let you know which service I am attending?

Yes.  We will send a church-wide email with a survey to help us understand the number of people coming.  Since we have reduced our seating capacity, we need to prepare for any overflow for a specific service or balance the services.

What if I am not feeling well?

Stay home.  We want to be considerate of the safety and health for each individual and those around us. If you are sick (fever, coughing, shortness of breath, etc.), PLEASE stay home.  We encourage everyone to take your temperature before you come, and if you are not well, stay home.  Please look out for the safety of others.

What if I am considered a “vulnerable person”?

“Vulnerable persons” means individuals 65 years and older or individuals with serious underlying health conditions, including high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, obesity, asthma, and those whose immune system is compromised such as by chemotherapy for cancer and other conditions requiring such therapy.

We understand that not everyone should come the first time we meet. Those "at-risk," with compromising conditions, or that just need more time to feel safe, should not attend that first service. In fact, for some of us, it may be much longer before we feel comfortable in a large crowd. 

That is OK!  You need to feel comfortable with the decision that you make for your family; whether to gather in-person or continue to connect virtually.  We will continue to livestream the 10:00 am Sunday worship, the Spring, and our on-line Wednesday night class.  Whether you attend in-person or at your home, you are still a part of Twickenham - a very important part

What safety measures have you put into place?

• We will be encouraging continued 6’ social distancing.
• Ministers, Greeters and Ushers will all wear masks and have their temperatures checked when they arrive at the church building.
• We have plans to clean the building before you come, while you are here, in between services and after you leave.
• There are wipes and sanitizers throughout the building.
• We have reduced the occupancy of our auditorium to accommodate social distancing.
• We have masks available as you enter if you do not have one.
• We have tried to make this a touchless event:
  • We have propped all doors open.
  • We will not hand out bulletins.
  • We have prepackaged communion which you can pick up on your way in, so no tray passing.
  • We have boxes out for contribution, so no tray passing.

What about my kids?

Initially, we will not have classes for children or youth.  Everyone will meet in the auditorium and families will sit together.  We are ok if you have young kids in the worship service as we are blessed with many young families.  We also understand they may not be used to a worship service.  Our worship services upon return will be 45 minutes.  

For those with babies, the nursery, changing room and nursing areas will be open for parents with infants, but unattended.  People will be assigned to periodically check, clean and maintain these areas.  

For those with children in the children’s ministry (TCM) or youth ministry (TYM), we will not have children’s church or classes on our initial return.  We are looking at the timing to allow for these activities, as well as our Sunday Journey Groups (classes) as soon as possible, but ensuring member’s safety.

Does it matter where I park as to where I will sit in the auditorium?

Yes it does.  To keep things moving and prevent crossover in the auditorium, we will ask you to follow a specific path to the auditorium to be seated.  Greeters and ushers will help direct you.  

If you enter the gym lobby, you will sit in the front half of the auditorium on the left side as you face the stage.  If you enter the children’s wing lobby, you will sit in the front half of the auditorium on the right side as you face the stage (this is best for families with infants that may need to use the nursery).  If you enter the Whitesburg lobby, you will sit in the back half of the auditorium or you can choose to sit in the balcony.

What is going to be different as I enter?

• Only 3 entrances will be open: (1) Whitesburg lobby, (2) Gym entrance and (3) Children’s wing entrance.  Note: those that may need access to the nursery for infants should use the children’s wing entrance. 
• You will be greeted and welcomed as usual. 
• To help with social distancing, please avoid congregating in the lobbies and hallways.
• On your way in you can get a mask, if you do not have one.
• On your way in, you can get some hand sanitizer.
• On your way in, you will need to pick up your communion supplies.
• On your way in, you can drop your contribution in the labeled receptacles.
• We will not be providing coffee or food.
• Water Fountains will not be useable.  Feel free to bring a water bottle with you.
• For now, we will not have classes for youth.  Families will sit together in the auditorium.
• Ushers will help guide you to your seat to prevent people from having to crawl over each other in the rows. 
• Please do not sit in rows that are marked off.
• We will be skipping rows and families sitting on the same row will leave 3 chairs in between you and the next family.
• Pew Bibles, song book, attendance cards and pens have been removed.
• Currently, childcare will not be provided.

Can I use the elevator?

Yes.  If you need to use the elevator, please come in the gym lobby entrance.

Will the bathrooms be open?

Yes.  The bathroom doors will be propped open and people will be assigned to periodically check, clean and maintain the bathroom areas.  

What is going to be different as I exit?

• We will dismiss by row and encouraged everyone to head outside while maintaining social distancing.  This is especially important for the 8:30 am service so that we can clean and sanitize for the incoming 10:00 am service. 
• You will drop your Ziploc bags with the used communion supplies in the trash.
• On your way out, you can get some hand sanitizer.
• The playground will be closed.

What if I go home after service, feel sick and later test positive for COVID-19?

If you attend a service and later test positive for COVID-19, please call the church office and let us know.  We will need to let others know and ensure everything is sanitized before another service is held.