Staying Connected During Covid-19

We are once again gathering at 4 pm on Sundays at at First United Methodist Church. We will follow all of the Governor’s reopening directives for houses of worship (see below), as well as delaying the reopening of Christ Church Kids until, at least, APS is back in session. If for these or any other reasons, you choose to stay home, you can still join us on our Zoom simulcast. Make sure you get each week’s new link by signing up for The Weekly Email.

If you’ve missed the latest Weekly Email, email info@christchurchabq.com to receive the link to our online Zoom service.

As we are all settling into a new normal, we are comforted by the reality of God's goodness and wisdom. While our indefinite Sunday setup of meeting together on Zoom is certainly not ideal, it was so good to gather together on our screens. Lord haste the day when we can all meet together again in person, and may we never take meeting together on the Lord's Day for granted ever again!

SUNDAY GUIDELINES

If you plan to join us on Sunday, please read and follow all of the precautions listed below:

• Anyone with suspected/known contact with someone who is lab-confirmed positive Covid-19 MUST NOT attend in-person services until adhering to the 14-day self-isolation period as outlined by the NM State Health Department and CDC.

• All attendees must self check their own body temperature before coming to an in-person service. Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms or fever MUST NOT attend in-person services.

• If you believe yourself (or someone with whom you are in close, regular, or necessary contact) to be vulnerable to Covid-19, then please consider not attending in-person services until a vaccine or effective medications are established to prevent and/or treat the virus.

• Please no physical greetings. One day this will return, but please keep six feet between members of different households at all times for now.

• Touchless hand sanitizer dispensers are available as you enter the foyer from the south, and just before you enter the Sanctuary from the east (those aren't new).

• One way, spaced out, tape on the ground that flows from the south parking lot entrance into the sanctuary. The foyer will be curtained off to encourage movement and discourage lingering.

• Every other pew will be available for Christ Church (and not used by FUMC earlier in the day) Red Tape X's in the pews to mark 6 ft separation between households. If your household can aim to center themselves on the X, that allows others to gauge if there is room enough to stay 6 ft apart. For a general idea, the tiles on the floor are all one foot in length.

• No Lord's Supper until government restrictions on church gatherings have been lifted (what an honor to "wait for one another" as Paul tells the Corinthians in 1 Cor. 11).

• Masks Required. Please bring your own mask for anyone 3+ years.

• No Christ Church Kids, and likely not until APS has returned to in-person session.

• Slightly shorter service like it has been on Zoom for the past few months.

• Bathrooms available, but discouraged. Please have all the kiddos go before church. If you have a high likelihood of a bathroom visit, please sit toward the edge of the pew so you can get out easily. There is only one bathroom for men and one for women, and only one person allowed in them at any given time. Please knock on the door before you enter.

• Seated chatting allowed after the service. After the benediction, folks on site will be asked to remain seated as long as they would like to chat with those who are socially distanced and also seated around them. We ask that once you stand up, it be only to leave, not to change locations or get close to others to interact with.