COVID-19 PRE-SCREENING FORM
REOPENING GUIDELINES
The Victory Seventh-day Adventist Church will resume holding church services in our church building at 1271 Burke Avenue, Bronx, New York 10469 on November 28, 2020 after being closed for several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Persons over 65 years of age and those with complicating medical conditions should continue to stay at home until further advised or personally feel comfortable to attend in-person.
In line with laws and safety precautions recommended by the CDC, New York State and New York City, please observe the following guidelines for reopening the church for services:
- Do not come to church if you feel ill, especially if you are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms: cough, congestion, fever, nausea, sore throat, muscle pains, headache, chills, or loss of taste or smell.
- Every person entering the building must submit to a temperature check and wear a mask. If you do not have a mask one will be provided free of charge. Anyone refusing to submit to a temperature check or wearing of a mask will be denied entry. The wellbeing of everyone is priority!
- Wearing a face mask is required since individuals infected with coronavirus may be without any symptoms of illness for several days and can still spread the virus; and for your personal protection.
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others at all times. Refrain from hugs and shaking hands; avoid group conversations in hallways.
- Wash your hands or use sanitizer frequently.
- Bring your own Bible with you as pew Bibles and hymnals will not be available.
- State guidelines recommend seating in every other row, keeping one pew empty between occupied ones. Families may sit together, maintaining at least 6 feet between other family groups or individuals
- Tithes and Offerings will not be collected in the usual format. Use online features previously provided or give such to a member of the Treasury Staff available.
Your health is our highest concern. Wearing a face covering and keeping apart may feel uncomfortable; however, following these guidelines help us have church together. Please follow this guidance. People will be on heightened alert for signs of sickness. It is hard to determine allergies or seasonal illnesses from coronavirus infection.
We may ask you to view the service from home if you show signs of sickness such as: excessive sneezing or coughing, have a runny nose, or have a fever. Please enjoy the service from home if you are sick. We are working hard to put the Sabbath message online so that you can worship in health and safety from your home as you recuperate.
We appreciate your patience as we enter this next phase of worship. Please direct any questions or concerns to Pastor M. G. Gregory, Elder Leslie Pitterson or Bro. Eric Thomas. Looking forward to seeing you in church!
WHAT WE HAVE DONE AND HOW WE WILL DO CHURCH
Upgrades
- All our public restrooms have been upgraded to facilitate contact less usage.
- We have installed air purification equipment to our heating and cooling system
- All ceiling tiles have been replaced
- Cleaning and sanitizing of the building is done using equipment purchased for the said purpose
- Media & Communication resources upgraded to continue hybrid (at home and in person) worship
- Replaced carpet with wood flooring in Mother’ Room for better cleaning and maintenance.
Facilities
- Drinking fountains will not be available. Please bring bottled water.
- Do not leave any trash in the sanctuary or other parts of the grounds or buildings. Please take any paper, tissues, wipes, bottles, or other items with you.
- Hand sanitizer stations are throughout the building.
- Restrooms will remain open. We encourage people to use the restrooms two at a time; parents and caregivers can accompany children or folks who need assistance.
- Please wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds before leaving the bathroom. Dispose of all used materials in the appropriate bin.
- The nursery will remain open to allow parents or caregivers only, to change and nurse their children only.
Services
- In Person Service begin November 28, 2020
- There will be only one in-person service, at 11 AM
- Sabbath School sessions are online via zoom (See our worship services page)
- Doors to the church will open at 11 AM for worshipers. Doors will not be opened until 15 minutes before the service. We encourage you to wait in your car until the doors are opened.
- This service will be live-streamed
- Meetings such as prayer meetings, bible studies, and church board will continue to be hosted through Zoom.
Face Coverings
- Face coverings must cover your nose and mouth, and fit snugly against the sides of your face. Additionally, you should be able to breathe easily while wearing a face covering.
- Face coverings can be respirators or masks, or be made out of a scarf, bandana.
- Face shields can also be used as long as they wrap around the sides of the wearer’s face and extend to below the chin.
Entry/Greeting/Social Distancing
- Entrance to the church will only be through the double glass doors of the church and the wheelchair ramp. (All other exterior doors will be locked.)
- There will be a specific entry process for all individuals or family groups including temperature check.
- We will encourage folks to maintain distance from each other while you enter church.
- No handshakes or hugs.
- Greeters will be counting individuals and family groups to ensure that we keep within county and state mandated guidance for church capacity.
- Folks will be directed to the overflow area in the fellowship hall after the church has reached capacity.
- Individuals and families will be directed to specific seating locations within the sanctuary. Seating will fill from the front of the sanctuary to the back on a “first-come first-served” basis.
- Specific seating requests may not be honored unless deemed necessary (e.g. family members sitting together) .
- Attendees may only sit in open spaces as directed by the ushers; ushers will be seating individuals appropriately to maintain physical distancing.
Worship Services
- We will not collect Tithe and Offerings during the service. Tithes and Offerings may be deposited in the Tithes and Offerings box located at the piano and organ. We encourage online giving.
- Individuals and families entering the church will be strictly counted. At this initial stage of opening attendees are limited to state and city restrictions, as such seating is available on a first-come first-served basis.
- Families will be able to sit together, but there must be a minimum of 6 feet between other individuals and families.
- Attendees will follow social distancing between families when sitting in the sanctuary.
- Sabbath School rooms and other church rooms will be closed/locked. Fellowship hall will only be used for overflow.
- Hymnals will be removed from the pews. Lyrics for songs will be displayed on the screens.
- Electronic bulletins will be emailed out during the week.
- The church sanctuary will be disinfected and cleaned following the service.
Dismissal
- Ushers will dismiss the congregation and ensure physical distancing while exiting the building.
- People will be guided out of the building.
- There will be no stopping to talk or visit as you leave the church building.
- The church building will be locked after all congregants have left the building
Questions & Answers
What will the church service be like now?
We are planning to reopen the church in steps; the November 28, 2020 reopening is the first step in the process.
We are planning for one in-person worship service, at 11AM each Sabbath.
– This service will be the same service that is live-streamed online.
– This service will be streamlined to maximize safety (by minimizing close contact), while preserving the essential and important aspects of praising God together.
Right now, there are no plans for further in-person meetings here at the church such as Sabbath school classes, vespers, children’s programs, or other meetings. These meetings will continue virtually via Zoom (click HERE for Zoom access information )
We are planning to reopen the church in steps; the November 28, 2020 reopening is the first step in the process.
We are planning for one in-person worship service, at 11AM each Sabbath.
– This service will be the same service that is live-streamed online.
– This service will be streamlined to maximize safety (by minimizing close contact), while preserving the essential and important aspects of praising God together.
Right now, there are no plans for further in-person meetings here at the church such as Sabbath school classes, vespers, children’s programs, or other meetings. These meetings will continue virtually via Zoom (click HERE for Zoom access information )
How are worship services different now?
The format, execution and time will be different. Some of the regular services as mentioned above will not take place at the church. We understand that the essence of worship and fellowship is foundationally built on individuals worshiping together, praising God, gaining strength through God’s Word, and gathering to encourage each other. However, that format has to be adjusted in the interest of health and managing the pandemic in the best interest of all. Differences will be evident in the flow and presentation due to safety considerations of worshiping together. Therefore as a church family will need to work together to make the reopening successful.
The format, execution and time will be different. Some of the regular services as mentioned above will not take place at the church. We understand that the essence of worship and fellowship is foundationally built on individuals worshiping together, praising God, gaining strength through God’s Word, and gathering to encourage each other. However, that format has to be adjusted in the interest of health and managing the pandemic in the best interest of all. Differences will be evident in the flow and presentation due to safety considerations of worshiping together. Therefore as a church family will need to work together to make the reopening successful.
When will Sabbath School, Vespers, or other church programs restart?
We are all excited and anxious for all church programs to restart live and in-person. Reopening the church and focusing on the main worship service is the first step in the reopening process. Once we can get this regular routine down and in order, we will figure out how to restart other church programs. Some of these programs are currently held on Zoom. We will continue that format until we can return to their normal platforms at the church building.
We are all excited and anxious for all church programs to restart live and in-person. Reopening the church and focusing on the main worship service is the first step in the reopening process. Once we can get this regular routine down and in order, we will figure out how to restart other church programs. Some of these programs are currently held on Zoom. We will continue that format until we can return to their normal platforms at the church building.
Rest assured, we will restart Sabbath School, Vespers, Children’s Programs, Weekly Bible Studies, and other programs as soon as we feasibly can! The fastest way to get these programs up and running is to cooperate, follow the plans/rules, and encourage others to work with each step of the reopening process.
Can a particular group meet at the church?
Currently no additional in-person church events or meetings should happen in the church buildings or on the church campus, with the exception of those individuals or ministries (Media, Community Service, Deacons, etc.) whose services to the greater community necessitates them accessing the building. Individuals from these “necessary” ministries must be only critical members.
Currently no additional in-person church events or meetings should happen in the church buildings or on the church campus, with the exception of those individuals or ministries (Media, Community Service, Deacons, etc.) whose services to the greater community necessitates them accessing the building. Individuals from these “necessary” ministries must be only critical members.
Will there still be Community Food Distribution?
Yes. This is a vital and essential ministry to the community. Distribution will happens on the regular days. Specific measures are taken to minimize contact between individuals, and to keep all attendees and volunteers safe. Contact Sis. Hall or Sis. Bell for more information.
Yes. This is a vital and essential ministry to the community. Distribution will happens on the regular days. Specific measures are taken to minimize contact between individuals, and to keep all attendees and volunteers safe. Contact Sis. Hall or Sis. Bell for more information.
