Smithers Christian Reformed Church
Our COVID-19 Plan
We’re all eager to be back together.
The leadership of the Smithers Christian Reformed Church is meeting regularly to determine how to move forward wisely with our plan for (re)gathering together. The protocols described below are informed by CDC Guidelines, the Provincial Health Orders, and their practical implementation for our congregation and facility. This is not a set system, but rather an ongoing and evolving plan for bringing us back together in a way that protects the most vulnerable members of our congregation and our community.
Guidelines, recommendations, and safety protocols are incapable of creating a 100% risk-free or safe environment. We ask that you show grace and love in following our guidelines in an effort to limit the spread of the virus. By entering our facility, you are accepting that protocol will be followed to reduce or mitigate risk, but that the risk cannot be reduced to zero.
Church council has created a committee called the Covid Working Group that is tasked with ensuring all our activities fall within prescribed Provincial Health Office guidelines. The members of the committee are Barry Lester, Mark Bandstra, Barb Bandstra, Bob Bergen, Dave Ripmeester, Irene Bakker, and Stacey Stolte. If you have any questions, feel free to contact any one of them.
What to Expect
Please bring a face covering mask for each member of your family. Masks covering your nose and mouth must be worn while entering and exiting, while within 2m of others and while singing. When seated in church, you may remove your mask if you desire. To ensure appropriate physical distancing, seating is limited. Please reserve your seats so we can best prepare for you.
What Happens at Church
Upon arrival, you will be welcomed and marked as attended. We ask you to wear your mask and sanitize your hands.
Signage is in place to help show you where to go upon entering the building, and ushers will help you find a seat in the sanctuary. We request you maintain a 2m space between yourself and others.
Please leave all food and drinks in your vehicle.
Why do I have to Register
As we are limited to 50 people per service, we would like to have as close to 50 at each service as possible. In order to do this and provide a safe and healthy environment for everyone who wishes to attend our in-person services, we are asking you to reserve seats for you and anyone who will be sitting with you. (Families will need to stay together.)
What Precautions are you Taking
We are committed to taking every reasonable precaution to help protect the health of your family. We appreciate your cooperation during this time.
- For the safety of those around you, we are asking all attendees to bring and wear your own masks. (Face coverings must cover the nose and mouth.)
- Restroom availability will be limited. If possible, please refrain from using the restroom during the service.
- We are limiting touchpoints in order to provide you with a contactless worship service. There will be no offering collected, and we will be greeting one another with words rather than hugs and handshakes.
We Need Your Help!
From readers to attendance takers to worship leaders, we need lots of help to make worshiping in person possible! If you or your family are interested in serving in some way on Sunday mornings, please contact us and let us know! All volunteers will need to wear masks.
If you are part of a ministry you would like to see restarted, please approach the Covid Working Group (Barry Lester, Mark Bandstra, Barb Bandstra, Bob Bergen, Dave Ripmeester, Irene Bakker, or Stacey Stolte) - they would love to work with you and other volunteers to ensure necessary PHO guidelines are met.