Pastor:

  • Use words like mitigate, not prevent.
  • Initiate changes rather than discuss them to decrease anxiety and get things done (you do not
    need a committee or taskforce to do these things).
  • You do not need to implement all of these things now, rather think about what you might do
    should the situation worsen.

Offices/buildings:

  • Disinfect door handles, counters, and desktop surfaces.
  • Keep tissue and hand sanitizer on desks.
  • Avoid drinking fountains.
  • Wipe down cell phones, phones, computer keyboards, and other office tools (such as copiers)
    regularly.
  • Keep trash cans available throughout your campus.

Nursery:

  • Sanitize and disinfect your nursery.
  • Keep toys picked up, putting out a few at a time, and not allowing children to share toys if
    possible. Use duplicates for second child.
  • Wipe down surfaces.
  • Wipe runny noses, then clean child/worker hands with hand sanitizer.
    Avoid snacks when possible.
  • Adult hand-washing after skin contact with children.
  • Wipe down all chairs, counters.
  • Have cleaning supplies handy for adults, out of reach of children.
  • Use hand sanitizer after changing diapers.

Choir:

  • Wipe down hymnals, folders weekly.
  • Use large fans positioned to suck air out of choir room in windows or doorways during practice.
  • Consider practicing in a larger room to spread people out.

Offering and Worship:

  • Collection procedures might need to change.
  • Sanitize plates or have designated plate collection sites at exits.
  • Ushers use hand sanitizer before/after handling offering.
  • Avoid passing out any items to children during children’s time.
  • Greeters: greet members with a squirt of hand sanitizer, but no hugs or handshakes.
  • Discourage hugging and handshakes, find alternative ways of greeting (elbow bump, bow).

Communion:

  • Hand sanitizer should be used all servers and pastors.
  • Use alternative methods of handing out bread (tongs or tweezers)
    • DO NOT LET CONGREGANTS TOUCH THE BREAD.
  • Avoid drinking from a common cup.

Pews:

  • Hand sanitizer on small stand as enter each door of sanctuary.
  • Hand sanitizer AND hand soap clearly marked in bathrooms. Hand sanitizer doesn’t work like
    soap.
  • Tissues on pews.
  • Baby wipes to clean backs of pews where people grip when standing.
  • Clean all public counters several times a day.
  • Wipe down hymnals after services.
  • Handwashing: Birthday song x2 or alphabet song and don’t touch face.
  • Stay home if sneezing, coughing, runny nose.

Emergency planning:

  • Have a plan to manage staff (including choir director, nursery worker, accompanist) should
    they call in sick and need the 14-day quarantine.
  • Have a financial back up plan should a temporary city-wide quarantine be implemented in
    your area (know where you can make cuts and how to pay your people).
  • If possible, explore ways to hold services online, or in smaller group gatherings (this would
    only become necessary if there is a city-wide quarantine).
  • Have a plan should the pastor become ill.

The Conference is also working on guidelines and plans, so keep checking the website for the most up to date information.

Additional resources: