During the past few months, in an effort to comply with state and national "healthy" distancing during this viral crisis, Evergreen had elected to worship solely on Live Stream through Facebook each Sunday morning at 10:30am. However, on June 28 the congregation is invited once again to worship together as a church family. Evergreen buildings and properties have been thoroughly cleaned and sanitized by a professional company in accordance with CDC guidelines. We are ready to come back together again!
Please be aware that further in accordance with guidelines there will be some restrictions on our worship services. All worshippers must enter the Sanctuary through the front narthex doors. Green dots on the floor will provide seating guidance for both individuals and families from the same household. Your temperature will be taken with a no-touch infrared thermometer and those with temps of 100F will be asked to return home or watch the service in their cars on Facebook. Network and password information will be provided. Worshippers will also be required to wear a mask. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided for you. The mask is to be worn throughout the service.
During worship we will not sing hymns or do unison responses. We will not pass the Friendship Pads or the Offering Plates. Worshippers will be asked to bring their offering to the communion table during the Offertory. For the forseeable future we are suspending Koinonia as well as the celebration of the Lord's Supper. They will likely resume with more details at a date in the fall.
When the Sanctuary is at healthy distancing capacity, worshippers will be guided to Fellowship Hall with the same guidelines in place. The service there may be watched live on the screen.
For children 4 years old and younger, there WILL be childcare provided by members of the EPM (Preschool Ministry) staff who are already following EPM hygiene protocol during the school day.
In both the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall a staggered departure process will be utilized to avoid excessive gathering at the doors.
While Facebook Live and the service on the website provided an adequate alternative to "participating" in the worship service, this lack of "where two or three are gathered in My Name" have taken a toll on morale and spiritual development. (Peter Marty, The Christian Century, June 2020, p.3).
We as a family need to be together for the sake of personal and communal health. WE NEED EACH OTHER!!
