Dear Church Family, 

We hope that this letter finds you well during these unprecedented times. 
Being apart has been difficult for everyone but remember that "Where there 
is hope, there is life" and "God is with us." 

The Presbytery has not outlined a COVID reopening plan for churches but has 
encouraged everyone to follow state and local rules, regulations, and 
guidelines when doing so. 

The Relaunch and Building Committees have been working very hard to 
implement a plan to return worship to the sanctuary.  Kathy Weed will lead 
our worship on September 20, 2020 at 10:00 am.  She will give a blessing as 
we join together for our first Sunday back in the sanctuary. 

Rest assured, Facebook Live will continue for those who follow the services 
at home.  The Fellowship Hall will be available for those who would like to 
listen to the service but do not wish to sit in the Sanctuary. 

In consideration of everyone's safety, we will be adhering to the following 
protocol: 

Wearing a mask at all times is required.  Masks will be available if you do 
not have one.  

Everyone will enter the church through the Handicap Entrance in the 
Fellowship Hall.  (All other entrances will be closed.)  Hand sanitizer is 
to be used upon entering the building.  You may pick up your bulletin as you 
enter; we ask that you take it home with you after the service.  Prayer 
cards will be available there as well. We will then enter the Sanctuary by 
the South Side door. 

Seating will be designated to every other pew on the North Side only.  The 
South Side will be closed for seating at this time and may be gradually 
opened as needed.  We will follow standard social distancing guidelines; 
individuals must sit six feet apart unless they are a family unit. 

There will not be any Bibles (you may bring your own) or hymnals in the 
pews, and the choir will not be singing.  Mary Ellen will continue to bless 
us with guest musicians. 

The Plexiglas shields have been moved from the Fellowship Hall to the 
Sanctuary.  They will be used by the Minister, Liturgist, and Musical Guest. 
In following protocol, there will be no speaking or singing by the 
congregation.  Prayer requests must be written down on the cards provided as 
you enter the Fellowship Hall and left in the receptacle provided. 

The Pastor will dismiss the congregation pew by pew.  Everyone will exit 
from the South Side door to the Fellowship Hall.  We are asking you to not 
congregate in the Fellowship Hall before or after the service and refrain 
from shaking hands and giving hugs.  We know that this is difficult but it 
is very necessary. 

The nursery will be closed at this time. 

The family/handicap restroom near the South Side entrance will be open for 
use.  Please use the disinfecting products provided before you exit and 
leave the restroom ready for the next occupant. 

Offering plates will be at the exit door.  Contributions may also be mailed 
to the church, sent through your bank, or securely taken care of online by 
using the "DONATE" button on the First Presby website or Facebook page.  

The committees would like to reassure you that all highly touched surfaces 
such as doors, handles, tables, etc have been sanitized.  While we cannot 
control the virus, the spread, or the impact it has in our church, we are 
doing everything we can to make our church as safe and clean as possible. 
We appreciate your cooperation, commitment, patience and understanding 
during this process.  

After each Sunday service the Sanctuary will be cleaned and sanitized, and 
then will be locked until the next week.  This is being done for your safety 
and wellbeing.  The only exception to the Sanctuary being locked between 
worship services will be on Thursday, September 24th when the memorial 
service for Ian Moir is held.  The attendees to that service will need to 
follow the protocol in place.  After the service, cleaning and sanitizing 
will be done. 

We acknowledge that while the recommended CDC precautionary measures are 
being taken by the church, no one can guarantee the safety of every person 
present.  Should a COVID case arise, our church will close for a 14 day 
quarantine period.  We will be keeping a record of the names of everyone who 
attends a service for that reason. 

Our most vulnerable church family members (the elderly and people with 
certain underlying medical conditions) should be extra careful.  You may 
prefer to continue to follow the live-stream worship services. 

If you have a question or concern, please call a Session member or the 
church office. 

We must also remember that God has not called us to live in fear but in 
faith.  As the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For the Spirit of God 
does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline."  

In hope and prayer, 
Your Session Members