Revised Variances and Guidance Documents – Step 2: June 15 Updated Documents

Friends,

We have received the following, updated documents regarding gathering together for worship and work, as we move into the Province of BC’s Step 2 guidelines.

Changes to the Inside Variance are: to allow for at least 50 people, or 10% of the capacity, to attend a worship service; to remove the limit of 5 on the number of musicians; and to allow clean containers to be used for ceremonial food and drink, rather than restrict to self-serve containers.

Changes to the Outside Variance are: to remove the requirement for masks prior to people sitting down (as we are not requiring masks for other outside events); and allowance for clean containers to be used for ceremonial food and drink, rather than restrict to self-serve containers.

Additional details regarding the Restart Plan is available online and can be found here, along with all information on all Public Health Orders and Notices: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/restart

More than a year ago, when we were entering the new way of being church in this COVID-19 pandemic, we shared these words:

The church is a are multi-generational communities of faith and ministry who meet for worship, work and community. We are unique in being one of the few places in society where we gather across generational divides, and many in our communities of faiths are seniors and elders. As people of God, we are called to make decisions based on care taking, as much as possible, of all our members. Sometimes that requires a lot of creativity, extra communication and mindful limits.

We are expecting a significant lifting of restrictions for faith communities with the July 1 move to Step 3. In the meantime – and always – as Step 2 inspires and equips us to be even more together, in person, we invite you to continue discerning the safest way forward for your unique community of faith setting.

Blessings,

Treena Duncan