In order to keep everyone safe, we have developed a list of house rules that will be enforced until further notice for all who enter the church property. The house rules are:

• If you are feeling ill (fever >100.4, symptoms of upper respiratory illness, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, chills, muscle or body aches, overwhelming fatigue or positive COVID test in the last 5 days) please stay home.
• If you know you have been exposed to COVID-19 in the past 5 days and your vaccinations are not up to date, please stay home.
• Mask wearing is optional.
• Alert the church if you test positive for COVID-19 and have been on campus in the last 5 days.
• Being immunized against COVID-19 infection does not afford unique privilege in abiding by these guidelines. 

Modifications for Staff
Because staff are on church property for many hours at a time due to employment requirements, the house rules may be modified for staff in the following ways:

• Staff may remove masks when working alone in their office or outdoors.
• Staff may prepare and/or eat food alone in their office or outdoors with discretion

The GPMC Reopening Task Force of the Session has established a plan for reopening the church building in phases, summarized in the chart and explained in detail below. This plan was recently revised and simplified, in recognition of the changing course of the pandemic. We are longing to see one another face to face, but we know that we must continue to demonstrate our love of neighbor and deep respect for the gift of life by taking appropriate precautions. This plan was developed using guidance established by public health officials, the State of Michigan, and numerous other church communities. For each phase of reopening the building, the task force will use the established criteria as guidelines to consider. A recommendation of readiness to move up or down between phases will be made by the task force.

The timeline for moving between phases may not be linear. Due to local changes in recommendations and public health risk, there might be times when we return to earlier, stricter, phases before moving forward for a second or third time. We need to be flexible in adapting to the guidelines and we will continue to clearly communicate how to participate in church ministry every step of the way. The way forward will not be a matter for following a set timetable, but of faithfully assessing the progress of the pandemic and responding accordingly. 

Current Status: Phase Green

What has changed?

• In recognition of the changing course of the pandemic, we have modified our reopening plan to make it simpler and less restrictive.
• We have reduced the number of phases and used colors instead of numbers to designate each phase.
• We have made our criteria to move between phases qualitative rather than quantitative.
• At this point, we intend for our facilities to remain open no matter what phase we are in.

Phase Red

• Worship will be available in the Sanctuary with every 3rd pew spacing, in Barbour Chapel at 30% capacity, and outdoors when weather permits. Worshippers will be properly masked and maintain distance between households. There will be ongoing online worship options.
• Up to 2 singers indoors with masks and appropriate spacing are permitted. Up to 4 singers outdoors with masks and appropriate spacing are permitted.
• Social interaction after worship may continue with masking and social distancing.
• The church office will be open to drop-in visitors during the week.
• Small groups may meet in person. Session approved room capacity guidelines must be followed. Masks and social distancing are required. Larger groups and committees will be encouraged to meet online.
• Unaffiliated groups may continue meeting in GPMC facilities, in keeping with room capacity guidelines. Masks and social distancing are required.
• Children’s and Youth Ministry programs will continue. Meetings may be held outdoors and indoors, in keeping with room capacity guidelines. 

Phase Orange

• Indoor worship spaces will be used at 50% capacity, with every other pew spacing in the Sanctuary. Online worship options will continue and outdoor worship will be offered as weather permits.
• Up to 16 singers are permitted. Masks and appropriate spacing are required.
• Masks are optional outdoors and required indoors.
• Increased capacity available for indoor meeting rooms with masks required.
• Sunday School and other children’s programs may begin meeting in smaller classrooms.
• Food and beverage are permitted outdoors.

Phase Yellow

• Worship spaces may be used at full capacity. Online worship options will continue and outdoor worship will be offered as weather permits.
• The full choir may sing with masks required.
• Masks will be strongly recommended indoors.
• Increased capacity available for indoor meeting rooms for all ages, with masks strongly recommended.
• Food and beverage are permitted outdoors and indoors.

Phase Green

• The “new normal!”
• Full capacity room usage and worship spaces.
• Full choir may sing with masks optional.
• Masks optional everywhere.

Worship Practices
To limit personal contact there will be changes in many of our worship practices until phase green. This includes:

• Seating will be arranged in seat clusters to ensure social distancing. Groups are encouraged to sit with their household or pod.
• Members are encouraged to wear name tags so that we may greet one another with face masks still on.
• All who enter the building must strictly adhere to the house rules (see House Rules above). 

All practices noted above will be continuously re-evaluated based on the public health situation.

Online Worship
It has become clear that having GPMC’s worship services available online is a ministry of accessibility and outreach. We are committed to continuing to offer an online worship option in an ongoing manner.

Sacraments
We will continue to celebrate sacraments of baptism and communion, no matter what phase we may be in. The methods may change, but we will still experience these sacred moments together as a community.

Congregational Singing and Speaking
We will continue to sing and pray aloud together, no matter what phase we may be in. Depending on the phase, masks may be required or strongly recommended.

Weddings, Funerals, and Baptisms
We will work with families to create a plan that honors their loved ones and special moments in their lives. We will offer these services in keeping with the guidelines used for Sunday worship.

Mornings at Memorial
Mornings at Memorial will follow the health guidance of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and the Wayne County Health Department.

Special Events and Meetings
If a GPMC group has the need to use the church building for a meeting or activity not noted in the plan, this may be individually approved by the Director of Finance and Operations. Please contact the church office to schedule meetings or events.

Looking Ahead – The New Normal
Although the future is uncertain, we believe the following may be anticipated:

• There will be some continued change that feels like a loss and some that feels like an opportunity. Many of us will grieve the changes in our rituals and gatherings. It is also okay to look for the ways our creativity is drawing us into new, more accessible, farther reaching ministries.
• We are all in this together, and there will surely be a wide range of feelings that we are all processing. We will continue to create space for us to share and process our experiences together.
• Our staff and church leadership are prepared and poised to take on these new challenges. They have been working together to ensure the safety of our congregation and to bring GPMC’s ministry to life in new ways.
• With the help of God, may our church continue to be a beloved community, a source of hope, love and compassion.