Dear Church Family and Friends,

As we announced and planned at the end of July, the temporary shutdown for August is almost over. I am praying that the number of Covid-19 cases will continue to trend downward in Greeneville and Greene county. Our plans are currently to reopen for three morning services as we did in June and July. Our first Sunday back will be September 13th. This will be the Sunday after Labor Day weekend. We are also planning to reopen Wednesday evening prayer meeting on September 23rd.

3 Sunday morning worship services (September 13th) & Prayer Meeting (September 23rd)

• The three morning service times will be 8:00am, 9:30am and 11:00am.
• Wednesday evening prayer meeting will be at 6:00pm beginning September 23rd.
• The three services on Sunday morning and prayer meeting on Wednesday will provide room for “social distancing” as family groups that live and ride together, sit together and allow no less than 6 to 8 feet distance from others who are seated in the sanctuary. For the health and safety of our children and volunteers during this season, we will not be providing Extended Care (childcare). During this time, we will be seating family units together. Infants, toddlers and children are always welcome in our worship services. Worship is what we do as a community of faith and everyone is welcome. Thank you for what you do when you bring your children to church.
• If necessary, we will adjust the number of services to meet the needs of those attending after we see the initial response.
• In an effort to provide an opportunity for our highest risk individuals that plan to attend, it is recommended that our high-risk individuals attend the early service. (8:00am)
• In every service we will use every third pew, providing additional distance. The sanctuary will be cleaned between meetings for your safety. (Please do not remove tape and sit in the pews that are taped off and sanitized for the next service).
• We will NOT “pass the offering plate”. For your safety and convivence, offering boxes will be provided.
• We will remove all items from the pew racks. (Hymnals, Bibles, other printed materials)
• For your safety there will be NO bulletins or printed materials that would be passed from one person to another or touched by multiple people before you receive them. All of this information will be provided on the screen for your convivence.
• Hand sanitizer will be available for your convenience and safety.
• If you are sick with Covid-19 or have been knowingly exposed to Covid-19, DO NOT attend services until you have been tested and test negative and or properly quarantine.
• During the reopen and the future we will continue to offer all of our online options and overflow seating in the CAC if the sanctuary is too full to properly social distance.
• Our desire is for everyone to continue to participate in activities at First Baptist Greeneville online or in person.
• No person should be expected to take any unnecessary risks. As we return back to our “new normal” for congregational meetings, each person should feel free to participate according to their individual risk tolerance as risk factors are considered. We should also be conscious and considerate of the concerns of others around us as we return.
• We will be asking the congregation to be prayerful and patient and please do not jump ahead of the planned process by adding your own group meetings during the reopen phases without checking first with the church office.

Phase two of our reopen plans will include Sunday School, small group gatherings, discipleship and Sunday evening activities. There will also be a detailed list of reopen procedures for phase two as the time is closer.

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

His servant your friend,

David