Risk Management Committee Report I. THEOLOGICAL BASIS FOR RESUMING IN-PERSON WORSHIP The Risk Management Committee recommends that decisions to resume in-person worship in light of the continued COVID-19 pandemic reflect the commitment of Smoke Rise to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. We express our love for God by committing to be the family of faith whether we are gathered together in one place or apart for a season. At Smoke Rise, our love for God is inextricably intertwined with our love for one another (John 13:34-35) and for our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31).
II. TRACKING AND RESPONDING TO PUBLIC HEALTH DATA We recognize that COVID-19 will remain an on-going public health concern for the indefinite future. We are grateful for the work of public health professionals and scientists who review and evaluate data on the ground for the greater good (1 Corinthians 12:7). We recommend using the scientific and public health data to monitor risk as we begin planning to resume in-person worship with restrictions. (For example: https://covidactnow.org/us/ga). We recommend worship in the sanctuary with restrictions go forward where there has been and continues to be a low risk of infection growth rate overall under data models over a two-week period prior to the target date, as well as continued low risk on a week to week basis thereafter. Should the risk of growth of infection in Georgia trend outside the low range of data models, worship should be suspended pending further review and evaluation, including the setting of a new target date that accounts for a new two-week period for data monitoring and evaluation before resuming worship with restrictions. Worship leaders should also monitor local spikes in infection rates and trends in the greater Atlanta area in order to change worship plans in response to ascertainable conditions on the ground. Church leadership should also remain alert and responsive to incidences of COVID-19 infection among our church membership in order to implement contact isolation and reset worship scheduling in a manner that complies with and promotes the best practices of contact isolation and quarantine.
III. IMPLEMENTING RESTRICTIONS AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN WORSHIP A. Mandatory Masks. In compliance with the best available scientific data and recommendations of public health authorities, we recommend that those who desire to attend worship be required to wear masks. We recognize that individual members will have different opinions and levels of comfort regarding this recommendation. However, we believe that erring on the side of safety and prudence is the best pattern and practice for our church to minimize risk to each other and our neighbors at this time.
B. Temperature Checks. Temperature checks will be conducted at the door using touch-free forehead temperature devices. Anyone with a temperature of 99.9 or higher will not be admitted for worship for the protection and safety of others. 1. Volunteers checking temperature should be outfitted with a higher level of safety gear for their protection. C. Staggered Seating. Seating should be staggered according to a scheme that includes at least one vertical empty row between all rows with seated congregants, as well as horizontal staggering alternating between “end seating” and “center seating” rows. 1. Congregants should be directed to sit first at “end seating” rows upon entry in order to maximize social distancing before filling up intervening “center seating” rows. 2. No member should sit with another member in a marked section unless that person voluntarily or consensually traveled with that person to church and/or resides with that person at home. 3. Sectioned seating may also include areas were family units may gather with additional spacing to accommodate larger families. 4. Advance communication should go out that emphasizes the need for attendees to respect personal space and social distancing guidelines. 5. Balconies will be closed to worshippers. Data indicates that aerosols may fall from the balcony from worshippers seated three rows back or closer to the balcony edge. Although this risk is substantially mitigated and/or nullified beginning at 4 rows back and beyond, we recommend closing the balconies at this time (a) for the safety and ease of our sound and technical staff/volunteers and (b) in order to fill all vacancies in the main level of the sanctuary without the need to mark and sanitize the balcony each week. D. No Congregational Singing. While breathing and speaking may spread respiratory droplets containing COVID-19 droplets 3-6 feet away, singing may propel the droplets 12-16 feet. We affirm the decision of our music ministry team and staff to forego congregational singing for the indefinite future. 1. The minister of music has convened his ministry team and has already implemented standards for staggered music ensembles. 2. Present guidelines include masked singers at all times into the indefinite future with staggered and limited seating of rotating ensembles. 3. We recommend that the music ministry team be charged with continued monitoring and implementation of practices in accordance with the best scientific and public health recommendations for ensembles, choirs and other musical performance groups. E. Adequate Signage and Notice to the Public. While we expect that worship will be attended by and published only to members for the indefinite future, we recognize that visitors may also attend church while the sanctuary is open. Visitors should be placed on notice regarding the assumption of risk and the need to comply with all restrictions for their safety and the safety of others.
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F. Orders of Worship. In order to maximize and encourage social distancing, we recommend either the pre-placement of orders of worship or to forego printing orders of worship for the indefinite future for maximum compliance with social distancing guidelines. G. Ushers and Deacons. No Usher or deacon should feel pressured to be present in worship except by his or her voluntary consent. Ushers and deacons should be stationed at entrances of ingress and egress to help members comply with restrictions and guidelines, including wearing masks, temperature checks and seating arrangements. H. Vulnerable Members. We recommend communicating clearly through our website and by other means the class of individuals who qualify as “vulnerable members” under health guidelines, including clarity regarding vulnerability due to age, as well as underlying health conditions and comorbidities. I. Families with Children. We recommend that families with children may attend restricted worship where children fully comply with all guidelines, including masking guidelines at all times. We should communicate clearly to parents and guardians bringing children to worship the responsibility of assuring that children comply with restrictions. J. Security. We recommend the presence of two police officers at each service for added security and assistance redirecting others when necessary or appropriate. K. Cleaning. We recommend the full slate of contract cleaning staff be present to thoroughly clean and sanitize the sanctuary before and after each worship service. The sanctuary will be sectioned off for thorough germicide sanitation using products already purchased that are certified as effective for COVID-19. If we need to hire extra cleaning staff for this process, the staff should be empowered to do so in this season of the life of the church. L. Bathroom Protocol. Volunteers will be near bathrooms in the Narthex before and after worship to monitor and assure that only one person enters at a time. The ladies will have access to two restrooms (the main restroom off the Narthex and a restroom in the church parlor. Gentlemen will have access to the men’s room off the Narthex. A sanitation station will be placed outside each restroom where individuals exiting the restroom can use hand-sanitizer before and after entering the restroom. The volunteer can also wipe down the door handle between individual ingress and egress. M. Communication. We recommend communicating to the congregation the guidelines that we will follow in advance of any announced date of possible resumption of in-person worship. N. Err on the Side of Caution. We recommend that the ministry staff be empowered and supported in its efforts to err on the side of caution in the event there is consensus among them resulting from a “close call” based on changes in the level of risk on the ground.
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