Dear friends and members of the Calvary Baptist Church:
I just want to say from the bottom of my heart, that I appreciate each and every single one of you. You have been a loving, generous, patient and caring congregation. It has been a blessing getting to know each of you and I look forward to serving our Lord together.
Over this last month of being apart, I have missed all of you and am looking forward to being together in person again, Lord willing. As much as I look forward to seeing each of you, if any of you are not comfortable coming back to church at this time, I completely understand and there will be the option of watching the service online. This will be made available through the Facebook page, YouTube or our Church website at www.calvarybaptistchurchns.com.
As a church, our mission has not changed. We want to see people come to the saving knowledge and grace of Jesus Christ. Our mission is to “reach the lost with the Gospel, make disciples and equip the Saints.”
As of today June 16, 2021, we have officially moved into Phase Two of the Provincial re-opening plan. This means that we are allowed to have up to 25% of our building’s capacity with social distancing. This allows us as a church to have up to 50
people at our Sunday morning services. I appreciate your patience with all the safety precautions we have been taking as a church during this pandemic. We will continue to take all the necessarily protocols needed to make Calvary Baptist as safe as possible.
Pastor James
The following plan uses current Nova Scotia Provincial Health guidance and health regulations.
• COVID-19 Guidance for Faith Based Gatherings dated February 11, 2021
Items in italics from this document
• www.novascotia.ca\reopening-plan\
• www.novascotia.ca\coronavirus\
Provincial Guidance
Faith-based activities, rituals and practices should be reviewed to determine if they increase the risk of spreading COVID-19, with a focus on those that increase the risk of COVID-19 through contact (touching surfaces) or droplet transmission (sneezing, coughing, singing). Consider discontinuing or altering practices or activities that increase risk. This document provides additional guidance for faith-based gatherings. This guidance must be used in conjunction with the COVID-19 Prevention Guide for event organizers, theatres and performance venues, COVID-19 Guidance for Musicians (Vocalists and Instrumentalists) and all individuals must adhere to the public health measures outlined in the Health Protection Act Order.
Action
Pastor James MacLellan, Deacon Brian Nunn and other members of the Advisory Board will, prior to reopening, review current health regulations and recommendations along with this document before making a decision to reopen. Every effort will be made to follow the NS Health Protection Act Order and the regulations and recommendations from our public health officials. Once a decision to reopen is made the members and
adherents will be notified by phone, text, and social media.
Provincial Guidance
Faith-based activities, rituals and practices should be reviewed to determine if they increase the risk of spreading COVID-19, with a focus on those that increase the risk of COVID-19 through contact (touching surfaces) or droplet transmission (sneezing, coughing, singing). Consider discontinuing or altering practices or activities that increase risk.
Action for Phase 2 (We are currently in Phase 2)
As per guidelines in Phase 2 of the Nova Scotia reopening plan attendance and worship service will be limited to 25% capacity of the sanctuary which allows us to have up to 50 people for our Sunday morning worship services. This includes social distancing. The church building will be thoroughly cleaned after each gathering with a greater focus on high touch surfaces and on high use areas like washrooms. During this phase there will not be any Sunday School however, at home learning packages will continue to be sent out during this period. Hand sanitizers will be at the entry way of the church and masks will be worn to help prevent the spread of the virus. There will be no congregational singing during this phase in order to help prevent the spread of the new variant. Offering plates will be made available at the front and back of the church. Another option for giving is through etransfer to calvarybaptistchurchns@hotmail.com or by mail to: Calvary Baptist Church, PO Box 1825, North Sydney, NS B2A 3S9.
For communion services, individual packaged bread and grape juice will be made available at the front of the sanctuary where it is to be picked up upon entry. The used packaging and cups are to be disposed of in the waste containers in the pews.
Action for Phase 3 (Expected Date June 30, 2021)
As per guidelines in for Phase 3 of the Nova Scotia reopening plan attendance at worship service be limited to 50% capacity of the sanctuary, which is approximately 100 people, while maintaining social distance. The church building will be thoroughly cleaned after each gathering with a greater focus on high touch surfaces and on high use areas like washrooms. Whereas children under 12 can not yet be vaccinated, for the time being or until resources, protocols, staff training are in place we will not be providing Sunday School. At home learning packages that have been sent out to the children on monthly basis since the start of the pandemic will continue.
Phase 4 (Expected Date July 14, 2021)
To Be Determined
Phase 5 (Expected Date September 2021)
To Be Determined
Provincial Guidance
The most effective measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 includes separating people by maintaining physical distance (2 metres/6 feet) or the use of physical barriers where physical distance is difficult to maintain. Using a layered approach with multiple measures including environmental cleaning, the use of non-medical masks, conducting frequent hand hygiene and maintaining respiratory etiquette decreases the number of interactions and increases the safety of interactions that occur. • Consider alternate options for an in-person
gathering such as a virtual, outdoor or drive-in events.
Individuals should not attend faith-based gatherings while ill, even if symptoms are mild. The COVID-19 Daily Checklist should be completed. Maintain physical distancing between all individuals including congregants, ushers, greeters, officiant, etc. [people from the same household or pre-determined close social group do not have to keep physical distance]. • Adjust seating arrangements to allow physical distancing. • Non-medical masks must be worn in all public indoor spaces. • Discourage in-person attendance for people at higher risk of experiencing severe illness (age; underlying health conditions).
Action
Each person attending an event will be recorded in a registry, guests will be asked for contact information, that information will be recorded in the registry of attendance.
Families and or bubble groups will be at least 6 feet apart from each other. Each second row of pews will be marked closed with a cord to accommodate this.
All ushers, greeters and church staff will maintain social distancing
Protocols and provincial regulations will be explained at the opening of each worship service and/or church-held event, by word and or use of notices on the overhead projector.
The following posters provided by NS health will be posted at each entrance
• A Covid-19 Daily Checklist
• Face masks required
• Mandatory guest registry
• Wearing a mask
As noted in the cover letter from Pastor James to this plan, members, adherents and guests to Calvary Baptist worship services and events will be encouraged to consider their personal health risk of attending in person faith gatherings.
Meetings of committees of the church body and other church groups should meet in the church building and adhere to provincial guidelines.
Workplaces
•Businesses and organizations that are not required to close need to maintain a minimum physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) within all workplaces and meeting spaces, unless they’re exempt from social distancing or need to follow specific guidelines under the Health Protection Act Order.
Events
•Any person, business or organization that hosts a permitted event needs make sure everyone in attendance follows the Health Protection Act Order.
•Businesses and organizations are permitted to host in-person events and activities (indoor and outdoor) if they follow event gathering limits and required public health measures like social distancing and masks.