Hey
I am so excited that I get to update you on the plans regarding a phased return to in-person ministry here at HMCC. We’ve said from day one that real life change happens in person and we cannot wait to see you again.
Before I get to the “plan,” I want to first remind you of a few things that have been the main consideration since the beginning of the crisis.
First, we are not looking at dates as our driving factor…..we are looking for data points. The data suggests that a safe, well-planned, and thought-out phased return is ok and can bring people back together safely.
Second, our desire is to see all our people participate with a one-church mentality therefore we will avoid the multi-service idea. The staff, elders, and ministry team leaders have worked so incredibly hard to craft a plan that will speak directly to this.
Lastly, there are no easy decisions, no one-size-fits-all options, and certainly no one decision will be pleasing to all. It’s with this in mind that I personally ask for your patience, understanding and grace as we seek to do our best and implement a plan as wise as possible. Our deepest desire with these plans is to accommodate all those who call HMCC home…. no matter what level of sensitivity they may have to the COVID-19 crisis.
So, the plan:
Starting May 31st at 10:30am, we will be hosting FOUR simultaneous ministry environments to accommodate everyone’s level of comfort while gathering together.
The first environment will be for those who have compromised immune systems or underlying health conditions that require extreme caution. There will be a section of the parking lot that you can attend church from your car. You will be able to tune your FM radio to our station so you can hear the service live (with ZERO lag or delay). There will also be a massive screen outside for you to view all that is happening inside. There will be contact-less bathroom facilities available to only your group. You will have communion provided to you upon arrival as well as worship lyrics in case you have difficulty reading them off the screen.
Our second environment will be for those that need to practice more severe social distancing but are ok with the in-person gathering. For you, you are encouraged to park in the general parking area and bring a lawn chair or blanket to watch the service just in front of those parked in their cars. Out of respect for those gathering in this space, you will be asked to keep social distancing protocols to the extreme. You will be able to hear the service without the need for the FM radio from your car. Please note, we ask that you refrain from bringing large umbrellas and shade tents as these would obstruct the view of those behind you. There will be contact-less bathroom facilities available to only your group. You will have communion provided to you upon arrival as well as worship lyrics in case you have difficulty reading them off the screen.
The third environment will be held within the auditorium but with several changes to the way you will enter & exit, the way you will be seated, elements of the service, and the process for kids' ministry. This indoor service will be a phased re-opening with benchmarked transitions to the next phase. Families will be asked to sit as a family and to keep a close watch on their children so as not to cause an issue with another attender. Please note, if you are attending with us in the third environment, you will be asked to acknowledge several questions pertaining to your health, contact with others, and our safety protocols. These protocols include: the use of hand sanitizer, following social distancing and the prohibited use of gloves. We ask that at this environment (all of them really) you refrain from handshakes, hugs, and fist-bumps while opting for friendly waves and air-hugs. You are also encouraged to wear a face mask if you are willing and able.
The fourth environment is our online platform. The attention to detail, connection and quality that we have striven for over the past 10 weeks will not change as we move forward. You can rest assured that we will keep the same emphasis, on this environment, as we tend to all the others.
So, I hope that you can see that we are trying our hardest to provide each and every person in the HMCC family a way to worship together.
Would you do me a favor though? Please click the button below to “RSVP” for one of the environments listed above. By doing so it allows us to be the most prepared for YOU and your family.
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So, the purpose of this email is to convey the return date and to advise that a well-thought-out plan is in place to return to church. The purpose is not to get into the nitty-gritty details of the plan simply for time’s sake. Rest assured we have tried to think through every detail; from bathroom usage, entry and exit process, separated seating, sanitizing between services, dismissal to water fountain usage. However, we know that with so much to consider you may have questions…questions that deserve a full answer…so to accommodate this need, I will be hosting a zoom call on Tuesday @ 3:30. I would encourage you to jump on the call to hear others’ questions and to ask any of your own. Here are the details of the zoom Q&A:
Topic: Re-Opening HMCC Q&A
Time: May 26, 2020 03:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96615662065
Meeting ID: 966 1566 2065
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,96615662065# US (New York)
Meeting ID: 966 1566 2065
Children’s ministry will be available starting May 31st, but in an augmented format to start. Families will need to park by our kids’ lobby and check their kids into the kids’ ministry prior to the start of the 10:30 service. All kids will sit with their families during our worship time and will be dismissed to kids’ ministry after the worship time. Every effort will be made to help our kids ministry stay social distanced…. but please keep in mind that kids aren’t very good at social distancing (laughing emoji). If this is an issue for you and your family, you are more than welcome to keep them with you throughout the entire service. There are more details to the kids’ ministry phased re-opening that you will receive when you drop off your child.
As for our students, I am working with our student ministry intern and our prospective student minister to draft a plan. Lauren, Tyler, and myself have the preliminary steps in place for a great plan so our students can return to in-person ministry. There will be a separate email next week to address that with the parents.
I want you to be aware, small groups, 9:30 Sunday Bible Study groups, and Wednesday nights are included in the phased re-opening, but none of those are included in phase 1. We will be sure to communicate with you and keep you posted as to when these things will resume. Again, none are date driven, but data driven.
HMCC Family, we are so excited to see you in person which-ever environment you choose to join. I know that there are so many different stances on this return and I hope that we have been able to accommodate as many stances as possible. Please pray for us as we transition back to in-person ministry, pray for unity of the Body, pray for all those working so hard to put all these pieces together and pray that God be glorified as the church gathers together again.
I love each and every one of you dearly. Can’t wait to “see” you on the 31st.
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In H^m,
Nathan Holmes
Sr. Minister
Hamilton Mill Christian Church
Office: 678-714-7200
Cell: 770-500-4337
HMCCFamily.com
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