INTENTION

Our “Re-Assemble” procedures and guidelines are intended to help Cape Christian reasonably and safely resume public weekend gatherings on campus and create a recommended standard for other organizations utilizing the Cape Christian Campus for public meetings. 

In evaluating our “Re-Assemble” plan we have three scriptures that frame our conversations.

“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”  Acts 20:28

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”  Romans 13:1

“not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25

Guiding Principles

The following are factors that have been considered:

  • Biblical principles on fellowship and gatherings
  • Prayerful wisdom of leadership
  • Collective wisdom from church leaders from across the nation
  • The safety of our staff, members and attendees
  • Our public witness
  • Practical needs of congregations
  • Latest recommendations/orders from CDC and local governmental agencies

Procedures & Guidelines

The following procedures create the framework for our “Re-Assemble Process”  beginning with gatherings of 50% of room capacity or less.  In order to provide as touch-less experience as possible, all Cape Christian weekend gatherings are following these guidelines unless the Executive and Pastoral Teams approve the exception.

Weekend Gathering Guidelines

1. Days Leading up to weekend gatherings

a) Develop and communicate “Re-Assemble” schedule and instructions to volunteer leadership teams.

b) Communicate preparations and protocols to members and attendees via website, email, social media, etc.

  • Follow CDC recommendations
  • No children’s programming
  • Anyone experiencing sickness should stay home. We will follow current CDC guidelines.

c) Continue online worship service streaming

d) Post signage of protocols outside and inside of building

e) Limit crowd size

  • Using a first-come-first-serve process for each service 
  • Limit attendance to 50% capacity (approx 380 people for Worship Center Auditorium)
  • Provide “return passes” for guests once capacity is met. 
  • Room set with increased distance between rows in order to encourage social distancing recommendations
      1. Recommendations: 380 people allowing for 6-12 feet of social distancing
      2. Recommendations: “Return passes” given to guests following capacity in order to guarantee seating at the next available service. 
  • Set additional service times as needed in order to accommodate capacity. 
      1. Recommended Service Times: Saturday 4:00 PM, Sunday 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM
      2. Establishing additional services if prearranged criteria is met
  • Exceeding capacity of scheduled services by 100 persons or more at one service

f) Follow building sanitizing and cleaning procedures prior to weekend service

  • Bathrooms, door handles, light switches, surfaces, chairs, etc between each service

g) Designate doors for entry and exit into sanctuary with signage clearly displayed

  • Do not use same door for entry and exit into sanctuary.

2. Day of, Before Service

a) Team Members present, briefed and in place prior to service.

  • Gloves and cloth masks provided to greeters
  • Outside main entry doors to the gallery will be operated by greeter if not propped open.
  • Other Team Members positioned and instructed to maintain 6ft social distancing from attendees

b) All Team Members will be temperature-checked prior to serving.

c) All Team Members are required to wear face masks in public areas

d) Prop open all other doors leading to the Worship Center and Worship Center Auditorium 

e) All coffee and snack condiments given by Team Members at the request of our guests

f) Hand sanitizing stations will be located throughout the building including restrooms

g) Kids areas will be closed and locked

h) Ushers will maintain social distancing whenever possible  while serving guests

3. During Service

a) No Cape Kids services including Cape Kids Jr.

b) Activity Packets will be provided for all our our kids to enjoy during the service

c) Wiggle Room will be moved to chapel to accommodate additional children while allowing social distancing.

d) Lobby will be limited to entering Worship Center Auditorium with a designated area to wait for next service utilizing appropriate social distancing guidelines.

e) Additional waiting area will be created to accommodate additional spacing due to social distancing.

f) Connection desk will remain open with two additional Connection Desks

  • New waiting area
  • Cafe

g) All informational materials will be handed out by Team Members at guest request

h) No Planners will be handed out in the service 

i) Encourage only families/households to sit together

j) Announce and observe latest protocols

k) Staff and platform participants will model social distancing from stage while avoiding the sharing of mics, instruments, stands, etc.

l) No offering passed; reference online giving and place baskets by the exits to drop off offering

m) Utilize app, screens and email in place of paper listening guides

n) Corporate communion is suspended, communion station will remain opened but elements will be handed out by volunteer staff.

4. After Service

a) Structured dismissal 

  • Open all exits from the Worship Center Auditorium and encourage people to exit out designated doors.
  • Doors will be propped open until all have exited.
  • Communicate that people should refrain from leaving early to help with structured dismissal
  • Announce at the end of service to exit out nearest doors and utilizing social distancing protocols
  • Do not allow groups to gather inside of the facility or around entryways following the service

b) Sanitize all public spaces including Auditorium, Wiggle Room, Restrooms, and other areas following service prior to seating next service.