Moving into the Green Phase

I believe it was Kermit the Frog who once said, “It’s not easy being green.” And, for some members of our church family, this may be true. As New Brunswick goes “Green” and the Mandatory Order is lifted, New Brunswickers are able to embrace new freedoms, borrowed from the ‘old days’ of ‘normal’.

In reviewing the New Brunswick government brochure on ‘Green,’ I noted that we are invited to consider that while the restrictions are lifting, Public Health encourages us to remember that some considerations (masking, distancing, sanitizing, etc.) are practices that promote good health and might still be wise for some with vulnerabilities OR for New Brunswickers who want to take things slow. 

With this in mind, I hope you’ll join me in embracing a measured response to ‘Green.’ We’ll take some things slow and support one another’s sensitivities moving from now to Labour Day Sunday.

And just what does that mean?

Reservations

From now until Labour Day Sunday, we’d appreciate you continuing to make reservations for Sunday services. Obviously, if you come without a reservation, we’ll just add you to the list but it seems prudent to continue this practice as the information provided will help us with plans for September. Thank you so much.

Entering the Building

To maintain some aspect of physical distancing, please continue to use the main doors for entrance to the sanctuary and the gym ‘ramp’ door for entering the café.

Self Screening

You will no longer be verbally ‘screened’ at the doors, but please take note of the new screening signs posted and take personal responsibility for considering if it is wise for you to be joining your church family for worship on that particular Sunday. Let’s keep each other healthy.

Offering

From now, up to and including Labour Day Sunday, we invite you to continue to place your offering in the offering boxes that we have been using.

Sanitizing

We invite you to continue this practice whenever you enter the buildings for any purpose, at any time.

Masking

This will become a matter of personal choice. Masks will continue to be available at the entrances, if you come without one and decide you’d feel better if you were masked. You are no longer required to be masked when singing but may do so if you wish.

Physically distanced seating

In the sanctuary, those who would appreciate continuing to sit at 2 meter distance, are invited to do so in the middle section downstairs. This section will remain taped to indicate seats that are physically distanced. If physical distancing is not a concern for you, please don’t take one of those centre section seats but choose anywhere you would like in the side sections and the balcony. 

Communion

For August and September, Communion will continue to be offered as it has during the pandemic. We look forward to reviewing this in September as to plans for October communion.

Leaving the service

From now, up to and including Labour Day Sunday, we’ll continue the practice of “instructed departure.” 

KidzTown/VBS

The COVID-19 operating procedures that began when KidzTown opened will be continued through to Labour Day Sunday. This includes all children and leaders masking. Thank you, parents, for your cooperation.

Please remember that even if you are ready to jump back in, others may not be as comfortable, and so we defer so that everyone is comfortable in our gatherings. I think that Romans 12:16 makes a good theme for the weeks ahead: Be sensitive to each other's needs — don't think yourselves better than others…

Let’s give thanks for the reality that is ours in New Brunswick and pray that this trend continues in the weeks and months ahead. Decisions we make in these days will help to bring that prayer to reality.

Yours in “Green,”
Pastor Greg