July Update
UPDATE, We are gathering inside and online.
From March 15th until May 17th, we were not physically gathering as a church body. We have been streaming online at GraceCovenantCharlotte.com/Live. After much prayer, research, and counsel we are slowly RETURNING to gather in-person as a church!
On May 24, 2020, we began gathering again...outside on the church property.
Our outdoor gatherings have concluded. We are now reopening the Sanctuary to begin our indoor gatherings. Please take note of the guidelines below.
STAY HOME if…
- you (or someone in your household) had a fever in the last 72 hours
- you have a cough, shortness of breath, or aches (or have experienced these in the last 10 days).
YOU DECIDE...
This information is provided to allow you to make an informed decision and we will be supportive whether you attend in-person or online. Until we are in Phase 3 of America’s Reopening is reached, the CDC recommends that you continue to shelter in place if you meet the following criteria:
- you have serious underlying health conditions, including but not limited to: high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, obesity, and asthma.
- you have immune systems compromised by chemotherapy for cancer or other conditions requiring therapy.
- you are age 65 or above.
If you decide to stay home, join us online at GraceCovenantCharlotte.com/LIVE.
Arriving
- Take your temperature before leaving home - if over 99.5, please stay home and watch online.
- Wash hands thoroughly before leaving home
- Plan to arrive by 9:50 am to allow some time for this different process.
- Wear a mask/face covering that covers your mouth and nose. Place it on before you enter the building.
- Please wear it when you’re in a situation where you are unable to properly distance from someone (outside your household) while on the church property.
- Sanitize hands upon entering the church.
- Socially distance (greater than 6 feet).
- GCC will be a HAND-SHAKE-FREE and HUG-FREE Zone for the foreseeable future.
Precautions On-Site:
- We are only gathering for worship…No Sunday School. No Children’s Church.
- Our services are already spaced to maximize healthy practices in cleaning.
- The Doors will be propped open to allow you to enter and exit without touching the doors. Even so, they will be sanitized periodically throughout the service.
- The pews are clearly set up to allow for social distancing. Please sit with your family (household) and practice a safe distance from others.
- Everyone is encouraged to move directly into the sanctuary when you enter the building. Our narthex/lobby is not designed for social distancing so please move into the worship area, proceed to your seat and chat in there. Please do not block the doors.
- When we conclude the service, we’ll exit the sanctuary by row. We encourage you to linger outside in the playground area to connect and fellowship.
Your Youngest Children
We’d love to have your whole family join us for corporate worship:
- Although we’re back indoors, we have a service length closer to 45 minutes.
- Feel free to bring items for your youngest child to help them engage during worship.
- The Comfort Room (aka Cry Room) and Connecting Classroom (aka Bridal Suite) will be available as needed. They have been thoroughly cleaned.
- We will have the worship service streaming in the Fellowship Hall (located under the sanctuary). Multiple families will be able to distance appropriately if you feel your child is being too disruptive to you or someone else. Think of this as the temporary “nursery” space for you and your child.
Note: Our national and state response has been changing and updating for 12 weeks now. GCC’s plans will almost certainly be modified, changed, or abandoned as the needs of the church and community necessitate.
Remember, if you feel more comfortable staying at home, please do! We can be together on-site AND online at 10 am.
Encouraging & Guiding Scriptures in this Season
Virtual Meetings will continue through July.
On-campus Sunday School TENTATIVELY resumes August 9.
KIDS - Our Preschool and Elementary Sunday School teachers are connecting with our families personally throughout the week. We have also uploaded the resources that will help you lead your child at home as our whole church stays connected through The Gospel Project. Click here to view.
MIDDLE SCHOOLERS - Our older students have a unique bond as a group. Sarah Louise is hosting their time via Zoom meetings on Tuesdays.
ADULTS (Sunday School & Community Groups) - Since we’re all studying the same content, right now, there is 1 online classroom for the week. Teachers and groups are connecting throughout the week by different means. Our Adults meet virtually for Bible Study on Sunday Nights at 6 pm via Zoom. Please contact the church office for an invite/password to those meetings. info@gracecovenantcharlotte.com. Catch up on recent classes.
If you are a covenant member of Grace Covenant and need updated contact information for your group or someone else you want to check in with, please reach out to Sally (sally@gracecovenantcharlotte.com) to get updated information.
RESOURCES:
We have some prayer guides and helpful tools to shape your praying during this season. Click here to read more...
PRAYER MEETINGS:
Join our (real) prayer (virtual) meetings. Note, instructions to join will be sent through our Church Management system, for security.
- Sundays at 9:20 am.
- Wednesdays at 11:00 am.