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RETURN TO CHURCH

Plan and Policies

Section 1

  • Regarding Senior Citizens

  • Those with Underlying Health Conditions

  • Primary Caregivers for People with Underlying Conditions

Section 2

Social Distancing & Sanitization

Section 3

Schedule of

our Services

Note:  This is still a work in
progress and will change in
the days and weeks to come.

Section 4

Children's Ministries

From the Heart

of the Pastor

For the past few months, while we have been concerned for religious liberty, we have nevertheless followed the guidance of our government for the safety of others and cancelled all church services in order to practice social distancing during the COVID-19 breakout.
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Now as our President is urging cautious return to business, our state's "safer at home" end date of June 4th is approaching, and our Governor is moving to a "Phase 1" opening of city affairs, we feel it appropriate to prepare adequately and safely for the slow and safe return to worship.  We have sought legal counsel, as well as consultation with our elected officials in making this plan.  Mostly, we are sensitive to the leading of the Lord in the process.
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The following pages will outline our plan in phases.  Church members and workers are urged to read this document in order to participate in upcoming services.
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We will desire safety as instructed by government leaders (Romans 13), and we desire to obey the command of Scripture to assemble and worship (Hebrew 10:25).
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We believe church is essential!  Let's work together to make this happen for the glory of God and with a right testimony to those who have not yet trusted Christ as Savior.
​
Rodney Love
Senior Pastor
Heart of the Pastor

Section 1

  • Regarding Senior Citizens

  • Those with Underlying Health Conditions

  • Primary Caregivers for People with Underlying Conditions

Because of the dangers related to COVID-19, we are asking all members age 65 and older and members of all ages who have underlying health condition such as breathing conditions, cancer treatments, suppressed immune systems, etc., to please stay home and continue worshipping via livestream during Phase 1 of our return (Phasing will be explained in Section Four).

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It may be necessary for those individuals to stay away from "crowds" longer than Phase 1; however, we must start with this safety measure.

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Who is at Risk?

Based on what we know now, those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 are:

  • People 65 years and older

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People of all ages with underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, including:

  • People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma

  • People who have serious heart conditions

  • People who are immunocompromised

      Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised,

      including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ                   

      transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of          corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications.

  • People with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher)

  • People with diabetes

  • People with liver disease

If we become aware that someone who has been in a service becomes ill, we will follow these procedures:

  • We will ask the person to stay home and seek medical care if needed.  Persons should stay at home for at least seven days after symptoms started AND three days after symptoms are improved and fever resolves without the use of fever-reducing medications.

  • We will contact local health officials.

  • If public health officials determine we need to, we will assist with determining who needs to be contacted for contact tracing.

  • Any areas we determine the confirmed COVID-19 person visited will be sanitized.

 

Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website, April 2020

https://www.cdc.gov/coronovirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html

Social Distancing:

Signs are posted around our church campus and shall be observed by members and guests on return to campus.

No one should plan to attend services who is known to have had any contact with known COVID-19 confirmed case.

Members are encouraged to wear a mask until the state mandate has been listed and to maintain six feet of distance when speaking to one another.  

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To simplify this process, the following practices shall be observed:​

Section 2

Social Distancing & Sanitization

DO

Wear a mask (ages 5 and up)

Wash your hands before and after services

Stay six feet from others

Cover your coughs or sneezes

Be willing to have your temperature taken

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DON'T

Shake hands

Hug others

Come to church if you are ill

Touch your face, nose or mouth

Leave trash in the Auditorium

Social Distancing: Volunteers

With the help of our volunteers, we will be observing these distancing policies:​

  • In the parking lot, we will use every other parking space.

  • Volunteers will maintain social distancing of six feet at all times from the time we drive onto the property and exit our car until the time we get back into our cars after the service.

  • Only gloved and masked ushers will open and close doors to the auditorium.

  • Only gloved and masked greeters will open and close doors to the building.

  • Ushers will seat attenders before the services.  Families will sit together.  There will be six feet between family units.

  • We will sit every other row and staggered in the rows in an alternate seating pattern to ensure social distancing.  Distancing will be kept in all directions - front, back, left, and right.

  • At the end of the services, ushers will dismiss attenders in a controlled orderly manner maintaining social distancing.  Ushers may need to direct people to a specific exit door.  There will be no gatherings at doorways.

  • Offering plates will not be passed during the services. Ushers with an offering plate will be stationed at the doors of the auditorium as attenders leave to be available for offering drop off or you are encouraged to use online giving.

  • Attenders are encouraged to promptly return home and refrain from fellowshipping at the end of the service.

  • The auditorium will be cleared at the end of each service and will remain closed until fifteen minutes prior to the beginning of the next service.

  • No coffee or food will be shared on campus.

  • Playgrounds on the property will be closed

Social Distancing: Guest Services

  • We will staff the Next Step Table as well as the Helps Desk with one team member.  They will wear a facemask and gloves and adhere to social distancing.  They will ensure that there is at least six feet of space in-between them and those they are assisting on the other side of the table.  

Social Distancing: Invitation/Altar Call

  • At the end of the Bible message, attenders will be encouraged to make decisions in their seat or speak privately to the team member at the Next Step Table.

  • After the services, prayers with people needing spiritual counsel will be made in the Cafe observing social distancing guidelines.

Sanitization:

While Bensalem Baptist Church has always maintained high quality standards of cleaning our facilities, many adjustments have been made in order to prevent illness from spreading in our common areas.  We want you to be aware of our practice going forward.

Sanitization: Facility Janitorial/Maintenance

  • Currently we have a tremendous team of volunteers who clean and sanitize our facility weekly!

  • Only cleaning products provided by the ministry will be used.  Approved cleaning products use these chemicals:  Isopropyl Alcohol, Nonionic Surfactant, Quaternary Ammonium Chloride.

  • Every worker, staff member, and/or volunteer will adhere to the six-foot social distancing rule while working.

Sanitization: Entry Doors/Lobbies

  • Handles to all entry/exit doors are being sanitized before and after each service.

  • Handles to all restroom and closet doors are being sanitized before and after each service, and once an hour during services.

  • Counters, tables, staircase rails, and all lobby furniture is being sanitized before and after each service.

  • Drinking fountains are off limits to all guests on property

  • Light switches are sanitized before and after every service.

  • Facial tissue will be available in the lobbies and restrooms.

Sanitization: Restrooms

  • Cleaning schedules will be posted on the wall inside each restroom.

  • Every worker, staff member, and/or volunteer performing cleaning tasks will be required to wear a mask and gloves while working at all times.  New gloves will be put on after completing each restroom.

  • Toilets, urinals, and sinks will be sanitized before and after every service and once an hour during services.

  • Counters and surfaces will be sanitized before and after every service and once an hour during services.

Sanitization: Auditorium

  • Handles to all entry/exit doors are being sanitized before and after each service.

  • Chairs and tables used by the ushers are being sanitized before and after each service.

  • After each service, the pews will be sanitized.

  • Immediately after each service, the entire auditorium will be sanitized.

  • After each service, we will remove all trash and left over personal items from the auditorium. Personal items will be taken to the lost and found bin in the Fireside Room.

Sanitization: Nursery and Children's Rooms

  • Prior to Phase 1 services, all toys will be logged into an inventory.

  • Toys that are old, dirty, or contain grooves that are unable to be cleaned, will be discarded.

  • Starting in Phase 1, all toys, chairs, counters, and tables will be cleaned with Lysol wipes after each service.

  • Nurseries will be disinfected after each service.

Section 1
Section 2

Section 3

Schedule of

our Services

We anticipate rolling out our services in incremental steps as guidance is received.

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Please familiarize yourself with these three phases. Announcements will be given using these terms, Phases 1–3.

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In the event of resurgence of COVID-19, or another pandemic, we will use similar philosophy going forward.

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Also, depending upon governmental and medical guidelines, we could skip a phase.

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Hence, learn the phase schedule and we will communicate as clearly and consistently as possible.

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Finally, we will need to have several Sunday Morning services for the first weeks back, then go to Wednesday night services a few weeks later, then finally adding Sunday nights back in by the end of the summer.

Phase

1

Date: TBD

Sunday Morning Schedule - 9:30 am and 11 am

We are conducting multiple services in order to meet the guidelines to reduce the seating in the auditorium to less than 30% of capacity

  • Services are for all, and children age 5 and older shall sit with their parent(s). Each family will be separated by six feet from the next family. Ushers will alternate seating patterns to ensure social distancing.

  • Childcare for ages 0–4 years will be provided in social distanced groups.

  • Special music will be provided by ensembles.

Sunday Evening Service - 6 pm

Sunday Evening Service will continue online though the church accounts: Facebook, YouTube and bensalembaptist.org

Wednesday Evening Service - 7 pm

Wednesday Evening Service will continue online though the church accounts: Facebook, YouTube and bensalembaptist.org

Wednesday Evening Youth Service - 8 pm

Wednesday Evening Service will continue online though the church accounts: Facebook and YouTube

Phase

Date: TBD

2

Sunday Morning Schedule - 9:30 am and 11 am

We are conducting multiple services in order to meet the guidelines to reduce the seating in the auditorium and meet social distancing guidelines.

  • Services are for all, and children age 5 and older shall sit with their parent(s). Each family will be separated by six feet from the next family. Ushers will alternate seating patterns to ensure social distancing.

  • Childcare for ages 0–3rd grade will be provided in social distanced groups.

  • Special music will be provided by ensembles.

Note: We may be able to go directly to Phase 3.

Sunday Evening Service - 6 pm

Sunday Evening Service will continue online though the church accounts: Facebook, YouTube and bensalembaptist.org

Wednesday Evening Service - 7 pm

  • Connection Groups will be on campus in social distanced groups.

  • Children’s and Teen meetings for 1st–12th graders to begin in social distanced groups.

  • Childcare for ages 0–5 years will be provided in social distanced groups.

Currently in:

Phase

Date: TBD

3

Sunday Morning Schedule - 10 am

  • Services are for all. Each family will be separated by six feet from the next family. Ushers will alternate seating patterns to ensure social distancing if still necessary. Temperatures will be taken upon arrival to the property.

  • Childcare for ages 0–4 year olds will be provided in social distanced groups.

  • BBC Kids (ages 5years - 6th grade) will begin meeting in the Children's Wing.

  • Special music will be provided by ensembles.

Sunday Evening Service - 5 pm

  • Services are for all, and children age 5 and older shall sit with their parent(s). Each family will be separated by six feet from the next family. Ushers will alternate seating patterns to ensure social distancing.

  • Temperatures will be taken upon arrival to the property.

  • Childcare for ages 0-4 years old will be provided in social distanced groups.

  • Special music will be provided by ensembles.

Note: In this Phase, the requirement wearing masks may be relaxed if allowed by city ordinance.

Wednesday Evening Service - 7 pm

  • Connection Groups will be on campus in social distanced groups.

  • Children’s and Teen meetings for K5–12th graders will meet in social distanced groups.

  • Childcare for ages 0–4 years will be provided in social distanced groups.

  • Temperatures will be taken upon arrival to the property.

Section 3

Children's Ministries

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  • We use a paper check in system (no touch screens) and encourage parents to use their own pens. If they do not have a pen, we can have boxes of pens at each counter and encourage them to keep it for later.

  • We will require parents to stand six feet apart during pick up and drop off while observing social distancing lines marked on the ground outside of nurseries.

  • The forehead of children entering the nurseries and classrooms will be scanned for temperature with iHealth infrared contactless thermometers. If your child has a fever, you will be asked to take him home and watch the services online.

  • If your child has had a fever in the last 24 hours, please keep him at home for the well-being of workers and other children.

  • If it is determined during a service that your child is sick, you will be called immediately and the child will be moved to a designated pick up area.

  • Snacks and drinks will not be provided by the Ministry for children.

  • All workers will wear masks and gloves at all times.

  • Children age 5 and older will need a mask.

  • A maximum of 10 children will be allowed in a nursery or classroom. When a room hits capacity, we will move a child to the nearest room closest to their age group.

  • Chairs and tables in each nursery/classroom will be configured for six-foot distancing.

  • We will prevent the sharing of toys and materials among the children. We will have crayons in separate sealing storage bags. We will encourage children to play with toys individually with puzzles, blocks, coloring pages, etc. and not in groups.

Section 4

Children's Ministries

Sanitization: Nursery and Children's Rooms

  • Prior to Phase 1 services, all toys will be logged into an inventory.

  • Toys that are old, dirty, or contain grooves that are unable to be cleaned, will be discarded.

  • Starting in Phase 1, all toys, chairs, counters, and tables will be cleaned with Lysol wipes after each service.

  • Nurseries will be disinfected after each service.

Section 4
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