A Return to In-Person Worship - Starting Sunday March 27, 2022!
We are very excited to announce that we are inviting you to join us in the building for worship this Sunday, March 27th. We will continue to livestream to FaceBook as our congregation has grown beyond these walls, and some of us aren’t comfortable retuning to in-person worship just yet.
We are excited but we need to make sure that everyone is comfortable and safe. The Worship Committee and the Official Board of the church have made the decision to implement procedures while in church for worship:
· You do not need to pre-register to attend in-person worship.
· You need to complete a self-assessment and if you are sick or feeling unwell, stay home. We also recommend that if you aren’t vaccinated, please stay home.
· Masks will be mandatory while in the building.
· There will be sanitizing stations at the door.
· You will be greeted and asked to fill out a welcoming card before you enter the sanctuary for contact tracing purposes
· We will require physical distancing. Please sit in your own cohorts and keep two or three chairs between each group of people.
· Offering plates will be at the door of the sanctuary and you can place your offering either as you enter or leave the sanctuary.
· We will not be serving coffee or food because we discourage lingering after the worship service is over.
· Singing will be allowed because you are wearing a mask.
· Some traditions such as passing the peace at the end of our worship service can not happen right now.
· WonderKids will continue to meet on Zoom twice a month, immediately following worship.
· Sanitizing high-touch areas and cleaning washrooms will be required after service each Sunday. If you can volunteer to help with this, please let us know.
Remember that this is a learning curve for all of us and we will be changing the protocols and coming up with new ways of doing things as necessary
September 3, 2021:
Church Re-Opening Postponed
While RMUC had anticipated a return to in-person worship on Sunday, September 12th, this plan to re-open has been delayed.
Due to the rise of COVID cases in Alberta in recent weeks and the unknown impact of the Delta variant on vaccinated people, the worship committee and Rev. Kelly Osgood have decided that, right now, it is unsafe to return to in-person worship.
In order for us all to feel welcome and at ease participating in in-person worship, we will wait until we feel we can confidently offer a safe experience for all to worship in the church.
When we do return, there will be many protocols and measures in place so that we all feel comfortable worshiping together.
We invite you to continue to join us online on Sunday mornings. We will continue to worship online for the foreseeable future, while monitoring the best practices and advice available to us, to determine when in-person worship can resume.
If you have any concerns or questions, feel free to reach out to Rev. Kelly or Worship Chair, Barbara Humphrey through the church office.
June 27, 2021:
A video update from Rev. Kelly Osgood regarding ‘In-Person Worship’ can be viewed below.
December 15, 2020:
Further Restrictions on Church Building Access
With the increase in restrictions imposed by the Alberta Government, we are further limiting admittance to the church building for keyholders.
While there are some activities that must be completed in the church, these are extremely limited and have been deemed necessary for operational effectiveness.
If you require access to the church, please call or email the office to make arrangements.
403-280-9500 or office@robertmcclurechurch.org
June 19, 2020:
An Update on Reopening
The Worship Committee has discussed in great detail the answer to the most asked question. That question is "When Can We Worship in Our Church Building?" The answer is "the best scenario would be September" but that is just a guestimate at this time. The Worship Committee wants to keep you informed; so here are some basic reasons why:
No bathrooms - remember that we are starting our bathroom renovations to make three one-gender bathrooms and construction will not be completed before mid-August
there is no restriction on the number of people that can be part of worship in the church building but we are limited to the number because we must practice the public health measures of 2 metres of distance maintained between members of different households (with the exception of cohort families)
face mask wearing is encouraged
we would need to continue to conduct worship in ways that people over 65 years of age and people with chronic medical conditions can be part of because it is strongly recommended that they not attend in-person worship or gatherings because they are at greater risk of severe disease
everyone is encouraged to use the online self-screening tool before every visit to the church building and definitely do not enter the church building when feeling unwell - stay at home
children younger than two would not be allowed to wander the church building; no nursery access; no story time on the blanket; no coloring table
must practice hand washing and personal hygiene; hand sanitizer must be at all entries and doorways
detailed records must be kept of who is in the church building at all times
must control entry into and exit from the church building (i.e. by dismissing individuals by household or section rather than all at once)
marking all areas for 2 metre distancing
increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting the church building including doorknobs, light switches, alarm panel, toilet handles, faucets and taps, etc. (at this time we do not have a caretaker so minimal cleaning is being done by the food pantry volunteers and our office administrator, Devynne)
“no” to a long list of things like - coffee time, before and after visits, lunches, passing the peace, passing the offering plate, shaking hands, hugging, touching, anointing with oils, sharing microphones; lighting of candles for prayers, sharing items such as candle lighters, name tags, bulletins, announcements, handouts, etc.
no congregational singing; plexiglass would need to be put in place around the piano, pulpit, and any other musical instruments and if we were to allow any soloists to provide music they would need to have plexiglass around them and probably face away from the congregation; live-streaming of music would still be the best option
the virus can be transmitted over greater distances through saliva or respiratory droplets while singing, shouting, when playing certain instruments such as wind instruments or performing (i.e. drama or dance)
if communion was to be served the elements must be pre-packaged and disposable
With all these restrictions still in place it is not feasible to worship in-person in our church building. The most important thing that we can all do is practice physical distancing, stay healthy and be safe. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Barb Humphrey through the office: office@robertmcclurechurch.org
April 14, 2020:
FOOD PANTRY RE-OPENING!
We are glad to announce that the Emergency Food Pantry will be re-opening on Thursday April 16th at 11:30 a.m. (note the time change) at Robert McClure United Church located at 5510 – 26th Avenue NE (next door to Lester B. Pearson High School and across the street from Village Square Leisure Centre). The Food Pantry will be held weekly on Thursdays at 11:30 a.m.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the well-being and health safety of everyone the following rules and guidelines must be followed:
- Parking and line ups will be controlled by volunteers.
- Limited number of people will be allowed on the church grounds at any given time
and there will be no access to the building.
- Line ups will be outside and all food will be received outside so dress for the weather.
- Physical distancing must be practiced. Everyone must always be 2 metres apart.
- Only one person per family will be allowed in the designated line for food.
- There will be no access to the building. Absolutely no washroom access.
- There is limited food available; therefore, only pre-made hampers will be handed out.
- If possible, do not bring children to the Food Pantry.
- Bring your own bags.
We need plastic bags, so if you can donate any please drop them off at the front door of the church.
We are grateful that we can re-open to help feed our neighbours in need. Blessings to you all.
March 17, 2020:
Every hour new updates about the COVID-19 virus are issued. We need to do our part and keep everyone as safe as possible.
The decision to stop worshiping together on Sunday mornings was not a decision made lightly but with everyone's health and risk taken into account. As Chinook Winds Region states "we are part of a generous act — to assist in preventing an escalation of infection in our province."
Mark 1: 35 reads: Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.
Now is a time for us to follow Jesus to isolated places to pray.
We will continue to reach out to our church family in meaningful and compassionate ways with caring phone calls, online contact, praying, etc. Please call the church office (403-280-9500) if you are need any care or have any special needs and we will do the best to make sure that everyone is cared for.
We do need to remind everyone that the financial needs of the church will continue. You can mail donations, request a Pre-authorized Remittance Form to have your donation withdrawn from your bank account or give on our website https://robertmcclurechurch.org/donate. All the church expenses will continue like heat, electricity, salaries, etc so we would appreciate your continued support of Robert McClure United Church.
All meetings, gatherings, small groups and the Food Pantry are also cancelled until further notice.
If it is necessary to be around people in any place remember about the physical space distancing of 1 - 2 metres and the cleanliness precautions required of us all to keep everyone as safe and as risk-free as possible.
As is being said in Italy, 'Let us keep our distance now so that we can embrace each other tighter tomorrow." Follow Jesus and pray for everyone and our world.