Good News!

Session voted unanimously to resume in-person worship services in
our sanctuary at our March meeting.

Here are the specifics for reopening:

• We will have our first worship service in the HoC sanctuary at 11:00
AM on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021 with COVID safety protocols in
place.

• An online worship option will also be available on our HoC YouTube channel and
Facebook page for those who do not yet feel comfortable attending worship in person.

• There will also be an outdoor Sunrise Service in our HoC cemetery on Easter Sunday
morning at 7:00am with donuts and juice to-go provided by our Care and Fellowship
Commission.

• Following Easter, we will continue having in-person worship services in the HoC
sanctuary at 11:00am, with an online worship option available for those still worshipping
at home.

We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in observing these safety protocols, as this enables
us to minimize risk of COVID transmission while resuming in-person worship in the
sanctuary. We’re very excited to be able to resume in-person worship in our sanctuary on Easter
Sunday! We are also pleased to be able to continue offering online worship for those who
prefer that option. If you have any questions or concerns about our reopening plans, please contact me or a session member. Looking forward to seeing you all in worship (either virtually or in-person)!

Opening Phases and COVID Safety Protocols:
We plan to resume in-person worship in our sanctuary in phases. The first phase will have
full COVID protocols and restrictions. As conditions with the virus improve, we hope to
loosen restrictions and resume full regular Sunday morning activities.
Phase One restrictions/safety protocols include the following:
• Worship will be limited to the sanctuary and/or outdoor spaces only. The Christian
Education building/Fellowship Hall will remain closed (including restroom facilities).
This is to limit the risk of COVID transmission to HoC and presbytery staff who utilize
our CE building during the week.

• Worship service in the sanctuary will be limited to 30 minutes (to reduce the time
people are within an enclosed area).

• Social distancing will be observed both outside and inside the sanctuary. Tape-marked
Xs will indicate safe standing distances for those waiting to enter the sanctuary. Inside the
sanctuary, certain pews will be taped off for non-use to promote appropriate distancing.

• Ushers will individually seat family units inside the sanctuary one-at-a time. Once
seated, you are asked to remain in your pew until the service has concluded. Afterwards,
ushers will dismiss family units one-at-a-time to exit.

• Those attending worship will be asked to sign in inside the narthex before entering the
sanctuary (to collect information for possible contract tracing, if necessary). Bulletins and
communion elements will be given upon entry.

• Masks must be worn inside the sanctuary. Disposable masks will be available for those
who need them. Hand sanitizer will also be available.

• No singing, shaking hands, hugging or other contact is permitted inside the narthex or
sanctuary.

• To improve air circulation, the sanctuary windows will be open during the worship
service. Please dress in layers to accommodate temperature fluctuations.

• To make cleaning/sanitizing easier, pew cushions have been removed. Please feel free
to bring your own cushion.

• Offering plates will be available in the narthex. You may place your offering in the plate
upon entry or exit from the sanctuary. You may also mail checks to the church, or use our
online giving platform at hocpc.org/give

• There will be no fellowship hour or Christian education classes inside the building.
These may be reinstated as conditions improve.

• To minimize virus transmission, the sanctuary will be closed outside of Sunday
morning worship times.

Blessings,

Hilary