Re-opening News and Information
“And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”
May 21, 2021
Covenant Friends,
As community COVID-19 conditions continue to improve, so, too, have our guidelines for re-opening Covenant’s campus evolved. Below are additional updates from the most recent meeting of our Re-Opening Task Force. We are thrilled to have arrived at this point and think you will be pleased.
Worship at Covenant
Beginning June 6, we will host two live Sunday morning worship services in the Sanctuary. Our contemporary service will be at 9:30 a.m., followed by a traditional service at 11:00 a.m. There will be no pre-registration or limitation on the number of attendees, but, for safety purposes, we will encourage seating in designated pews.
Masks will be required indoors. While it is true that many in our congregation are vaccinated, it is also true that many are not, including children, youth, and others at risk, all of whom are important members of our community. Wearing masks is one way we can honor and respect the community as a whole.
In order to mitigate risk, congregational singing will be limited to an opening hymn and closing response. Our worship leaders, all of whom have been vaccinated, will lead us in song during the service.
We will continue to offer a rich and dynamic online worship experience for both the 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services.
Sunday School
Once again, this summer, Covenant will offer a modified summer childcare and Sunday School program for infants through high-schoolers at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Outdoor activities will be emphasized, and, in the case of rain, we will utilize large spaces like the Recreation Wing and Fellowship Hall to protect the health and safety of participants, volunteers and staff members.
Adult Sunday School meetings will also be available on campus beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Group leaders will need to reserve a space.
Campus Activities
On-campus outdoor gatherings can be held in the amphitheater, the Circle in front of the Sanctuary, the Dilworth Road entrance plaza, and the Point (the grassy area behind Sanctuary along Morehead St.).
Sunday School classes, committees and small groups are invited to reserve indoor meeting space to re-engage in person. The following rooms are available on Sunday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to noon and Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.:
• Fellowship Hall room 207 A&B
• Fellowship Hall rooms 201, 203 and 205
• Welcome Center conference rooms
• Sanctuary
• Welcome Center
• Chapel and Parlor: Up to 20 participants
• Fellowship Hall main room
To reserve a meeting space on campus, please complete a facility reservation form. Group leaders will be responsible for keeping a list of participants in their group.
Our Recreation Wing is now open Monday – Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. to noon. 50 participants are welcome in the building at any given time and 25 participants are permitted per class on the gym floor. Complete this form to reserve your workout time.
Masks will be required while attending all indoor activities.
Special Events
For weddings and funerals, worship service guidelines above will apply.
Food service may be provided for campus events. To inquire about catering, please contact Food Service Manager Jon Grier.
We are grateful to the congregation for all your support over the past 15 months as we’ve navigated decisions that affect our church community. Since the beginning of the pandemic and shutdown, the Re-Opening Task Force has continued to be guided by a steadfast commitment to the safety and well-being of Covenant’s staff and congregation, remembering always the command to “love God and love our neighbor.” We are grateful for your patience and commitment to this careful – and care-filled – effort, too.
I look forward to seeing you in person on June 6.
Blessings,
Deana Cooper
Re-Opening Task Force, Chair
Covenant Friends,
As community COVID-19 conditions continue to improve, so, too, have our guidelines for re-opening Covenant’s campus evolved. Below are additional updates from the most recent meeting of our Re-Opening Task Force. We are thrilled to have arrived at this point and think you will be pleased.
Worship at Covenant
Beginning June 6, we will host two live Sunday morning worship services in the Sanctuary. Our contemporary service will be at 9:30 a.m., followed by a traditional service at 11:00 a.m. There will be no pre-registration or limitation on the number of attendees, but, for safety purposes, we will encourage seating in designated pews.
Masks will be required indoors. While it is true that many in our congregation are vaccinated, it is also true that many are not, including children, youth, and others at risk, all of whom are important members of our community. Wearing masks is one way we can honor and respect the community as a whole.
In order to mitigate risk, congregational singing will be limited to an opening hymn and closing response. Our worship leaders, all of whom have been vaccinated, will lead us in song during the service.
We will continue to offer a rich and dynamic online worship experience for both the 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services.
Sunday School
Once again, this summer, Covenant will offer a modified summer childcare and Sunday School program for infants through high-schoolers at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Outdoor activities will be emphasized, and, in the case of rain, we will utilize large spaces like the Recreation Wing and Fellowship Hall to protect the health and safety of participants, volunteers and staff members.
Adult Sunday School meetings will also be available on campus beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Group leaders will need to reserve a space.
Campus Activities
On-campus outdoor gatherings can be held in the amphitheater, the Circle in front of the Sanctuary, the Dilworth Road entrance plaza, and the Point (the grassy area behind Sanctuary along Morehead St.).
Sunday School classes, committees and small groups are invited to reserve indoor meeting space to re-engage in person. The following rooms are available on Sunday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to noon and Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.:
• Fellowship Hall room 207 A&B
• Fellowship Hall rooms 201, 203 and 205
• Welcome Center conference rooms
• Sanctuary
• Welcome Center
• Chapel and Parlor: Up to 20 participants
• Fellowship Hall main room
To reserve a meeting space on campus, please complete a facility reservation form. Group leaders will be responsible for keeping a list of participants in their group.
Our Recreation Wing is now open Monday – Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. to noon. 50 participants are welcome in the building at any given time and 25 participants are permitted per class on the gym floor. Complete this form to reserve your workout time.
Masks will be required while attending all indoor activities.
Special Events
For weddings and funerals, worship service guidelines above will apply.
Food service may be provided for campus events. To inquire about catering, please contact Food Service Manager Jon Grier.
We are grateful to the congregation for all your support over the past 15 months as we’ve navigated decisions that affect our church community. Since the beginning of the pandemic and shutdown, the Re-Opening Task Force has continued to be guided by a steadfast commitment to the safety and well-being of Covenant’s staff and congregation, remembering always the command to “love God and love our neighbor.” We are grateful for your patience and commitment to this careful – and care-filled – effort, too.
I look forward to seeing you in person on June 6.
Blessings,
Deana Cooper
Re-Opening Task Force, Chair
ways to Support one another
Get in touch with a minister
As hospitals and retirement communities limit visitation, we ask that you call or write to us for special needs regarding pastoral care, illness and isolation. You can contact Katherine Kerr or any member of the pastoral staff.
Connect with a friend for the journey
Stephen Ministers are companions on your journey, even if it simply means talking on the phone after a tough day. Click here to learn more.
Pray for people in need
We're building a web of prayer that lifts up our friends, church family and those most vulnerable. Trust that someone in your Covenant family is lifting you up in prayer, too. Sign up here to commit to a specific time to pray.
Ask a volunteer to deliver groceries
A group of volunteers led by Todd Capitano is offering to deliver groceries and essential items for elderly people and those who are confined at home. Click here to contact Todd.