IMPORTANT NOTICE

Dear Church Family and Friends,

We (the ministerial staff and others) have been working on a multiphase reopen plan for First Baptist Church. We have been consulting with denominational leaders, healthcare professionals, the Governor’s office and other state leaders. Our deacons and other church leaders have also met to discuss and approve the reopen procedures for our first phase reopen at FBC Greeneville.

Phase One

• For the first phase of the reopen plan we will start with three Sunday morning worship services ONLY. (The first phase of the reopen is tentatively scheduled for June 7.)
• The three morning service times will be 8:00am, 9:30am and 11:00am.
• The three services 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 convenience, 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 convenience.
• Hand sanitizer will be available for your convenience and safety.
• The first phase of the reopen is tentatively scheduled for June 7.
• If there is a spike in Covid-19 cases in our area or known cases in our congregation, we will delay the reopen.
• 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.
• During the tentative reopen and the foreseeable future we will continue to offer all of our online options for Sunday School, discipleship classes and our worship service.
• 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 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 plan will be scheduled to coincide with the reopening of our public schools. Phase two will include Sunday School, small group gatherings, discipleship, Sunday evening activities, Wednesday evening activities and other meetings. 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

Please, check this site regularly for updates.