HOPEWELL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH PATHWAY FORWARD TO CAMPUS RE-OPENING FROM COVID-19
25 March 2021

DATES FOR CONSIDERATION
1.	All Christian Education models, would remain in online-only form until further notice. This includes Sunday School, midweek studies, and life group settings.
2.	The earliest midweek gatherings and studies on campus would be September 2021.
3.	The earliest date for Sunday morning worship gathering (entire body welcomed back): Sunday,  4 April 2021.

WORSHIP EXPERIENCE SPECIFICS
Pending the anticipated return on Sunday, 4 April 2021 here are a few items to note for the first 6 weeks as precautionary measures for our church ministry/family:
1.	There will be no printed programs upon our return (6 weeks). All information will be shared through social media outlets and online and/or information calls from Secretary.
2.	We will follow the current simplified worship format until further notice from the Pastor.
3.	There will be no offering tray passing in the worship service. All monetary counters will wear gloves in the counting room while handling finances. Ushers will be on duty at the Offering trays will be placed within the sanctuary with members encouraged to give prior to worship service. We will also continue to stress the other available avenues for giving (online/church app/text).
4.	Offering envelopes will be made available to members for mailing offering in to church office. Finance Committee will have details soon.
5.	Microphone and podiums cleaned before and after every worship service. Director of Music Ministry will direct soloists on microphone assignments weekly. The pulpit will follow the same pattern of assigning microphones as needed.
6.	Choir will maintain social distancing in the choir loft.
7.	The church plans to utilize laser thermometers to check members upon entrance to the building. We will limit access to the building to one single entrance (6 weeks). Members may also choose to wear masks, but not required.
8.	The contracted sanitation crew will be responsible for cleaning and disinfecting of building on Friday (prior to worship on Sunday) and on Monday (following worship on Sunday). We will also need a rotational Deacon/Deaconess/Usher/Layperson group weekly on campus to maintain
1.	
some aspects of wipe-down and disinfect. Deacon Chairman will work with Deaconess President to build a rotation.

9.  Water fountains will be non-operational.  Miniature bottles of water will be available in the foyer for members.   

SANCTUARY LAYOUT/CAPACITY
1.	We have gone through the sanctuary and done some evaluation of our capacity for persons present in the sanctuary upon our return, at least for the first 6 weeks. Remember we also have the gym as an overflow, as well as the option for another service.
2.	We have 58 chairs in the choir loft, 72 pews (with different seating capacities), 4 pulpit chairs, and of course the musician stations.
3.	If we keep the social distancing guidelines in place we can accommodate up to 152 persons in the sanctuary total (126 in the pews, 20 in choir loft, 2 in pulpit, and 4 musicians). This would be utilizing "every other pew".
4.	Please note that families coming from the same dwelling are able to be seated together regardless of the number. This increases our overall seating capacity.

In our interest to hold the physical safety and security of this particular church body in high regard with noble aim, this plan/pathway forward was humbly submitted by Pastor Larry Davidson, Jr.—communicated to and confirmed through the senior leadership of Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church in conference call on Monday, May 11, 2020.	May God continue to bless as we press forward into this new day! Amen.