global

PHASED REOPENING

 

For the protection of our congregation, we request that anyone who has had symptoms of sickness or contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days to postpone their in-person attendance until after two weeks without symptoms.

Although we will follow recommendations closely and stringently maintain a sanitary environment, there are still risks of being exposed to and potentially getting sick with COVID-19 or other illnesses. By attending, you acknowledge and accept those risks, and will not hold Global Harvest Fellowship or its representatives liable.

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Ephesians 4:1-3 

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, ​with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, ​eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

1 Corinthians 13:5 

Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful. 

Romans 14:5 

. . . Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 

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Three Basic Goals 

• We want to be compliant with the government. 

• We want to be considerate of one another. 

• We want to be courageous in Christ. 

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Three Biblical Principles as we consider Reopening 

1. We are not dealing with a matter of first importance. Not every hill in the Bible is a hill to die on. Whether or not to meet in person or via live stream is not a hill to die on. 

2. Love means looking for the win-win. One of the ways we know we are in a real church is that we have to make real compromises; we don’t all have the same preferences, politics, and backgrounds. When Jesus begins to build a community everyone in that community is adjusting to Jesus. We don’t demand that Jesus adjust to us. 

3. Our mission is to seek the peace of the city. Many things are up in the air for many people, and when their worldviews don’t hold up in the face of reality they must reevaluate. There is a seam open for the gospel of Jesus to enter in. Let’s come together for the glory of Jesus and the salvation of souls.

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New Safety Guidelines​ to abide by the NJ Governor's recommendations for Faith-based and Community Initiatives. 

1. We will not have kids' church or nursery initially. We will have a service that is shorter and more accommodating to the whole family. Noises and disruptions are expected as we teach our kids to incorporate into a worship service. 

2. Parents, feel free to bring coloring books, activities, toys, etc for your children to enjoy during the service.

3. We will begin with a smaller occupancy % by removing the chairs and providing 45 chairs separated with safe distance of 6 feet between households. We will increase the number of services (if necessary due to demand) and the number of chairs as restrictions ease. 

4. Staff and volunteers will have masks and will be screened, including taking their temperature. 

5. If you are attending we ask that you wear a mask. 

6. Gloves are optional.

7. Temperatures will be taken prior to entering the building.

8. Our team will have hand sanitizers available.

9. Ushers will help direct you to your set. 

10. We ask those in high-risk categories, as determined by the CDC, to worship at home via FB LiveStream. 

11. No coffee or food served. 

12. The downstairs bathroom will be open but nothing else.

13. No childcare. No Sunday School. No lunch. No handouts for the service.

14. There will be no greeting time, or physical greeting (gestures and smiles allowed) 😊. 

15. There will be no congregating after the service. We ask that when the service ends that you will exit when the ushers indicate. 

16. No offering basket passed (utilize online, mail-in, or box in the back). 

17. A deep clean of all worship areas will be required prior to Sunday and immediately following gatherings and groups. 

18. We will provide hand sanitizer stations. 

19. When planned we will provide a new manner of receiving Holy Communion. 

20. We want to make service as safe and as enjoyable as possible. 

 

We look forward to seeing you!

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Enhanced Cleaning 

1. Our team will give special attention to high touch point surfaces. Wipe down all entrance/exit door handles, light switches, tabletops, desktops, connect desk, sink, faucet handles, microwave doors and handles, refrigerator handles. 

2. Our team will use EPA registered cleaner/disinfectant. Allow the disinfectant to air dry completely. We will use proper cleaning cloths and change when visibly soiled. 

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What will be the protocol if/when an attendee gets a positive COVID-19 diagnosis? 

Should anyone be found to have a positive diagnosis of COVID-19, we will:

1. First, we will notify local health officials, staff, and families immediately of any possible case of COVID-19 while maintaining confidentiality consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable federal and state privacy laws. 

2. Second, we will close off areas used by any sick person and will not use them until they have been cleaned. We will wait 24 hours before we clean or disinfect to reduce risk to individuals cleaning. We will ensure safe and correct application of disinfectants and keep disinfectant products away from children. 

3. Third, we will advise staff members or volunteers that had contact with said person not to return until they have met CDC criteria to discontinue home isolation. 

4. Fourth, we will inform those who have had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 to stay home and self-monitor for symptoms and to follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop. If a person does not have symptoms, yet was in contact with an individual, please follow appropriate CDC guidance for home isolation.