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What a challenging time this has been! After many weeks of worshipping exclusively online we looking forward to physically meeting at the building on May 24, 2020! In light of COVID-19 the elders have adopted polices to minimize health risks for those who are worshipping at the church building. The health issues surrounding this pandemic are diverse, less than straightforward, and effect the full scope of human health. With this in mind, the leadership has done its best to make decisions that allow for addressing all forms of our health, not the least of which is the spiritual health that comes by people worshipping together in the same physical place. 

With this in mind, covered in prayer our Elders, aided by the invaluable recommendations from our Church Health Team, are ready to present our “MVA Coming Home” plan to return which includes the following:

Phased Reopening

In our first phase of Coming Home:

  • Our building will re-open for services on Sunday, May 24 with 2 services (normal times).
  • Capacity of each service will be limited to 50% of usual capacity with 3 overflow rooms that allow streaming of the service and adequate social distancing.
  • To help with our preparations for the group in each service we are asking all attendees to register for the service they plan to attend on the Church Center App or online at https://mva.churchcenter.com/registrations/events Thank you for your help here.
  • Nursery and children’s programming will be delayed until a later phase.

Social Distancing

  • Seating will be in groups, separated by 6 feet front to back and side to side.
  • We ask that you sit only in a group with others from our own household if possible.
  • Some seating will be set in “family groups” of 5-6 chairs, set in a semi-circle shape to allow smaller children a place to be on the floor if needed.
  • Other seating will be in groups of 2-3
  • We encourage groups to fellowship outdoors before and after service leaving the indoor areas to do so 
  • We will designate separate doors for entrances and exits (except for handicap, which will continue to use our west door for entering and exiting.)
  • There will be overflow rooms, with the service shown on a television, if the auditorium reaches our designated capacity.

Germ Control

  • Masks are optional and a small supply will be made available to you by our skilled church seamstresses
  • Except for restrooms, all doors will be propped or held open to minimize surface contact.
  • A thorough cleaning and disinfecting sweep will be conducted before each service.
  • While no bulletins will be available in the first phase, we will make all information all available in the Church Center App and online.
  • Communion elements will be offered pre-packaged or by using the 2-cup method and will not be distributed by ushers. They, along with the offering boxes, will be placed at stations at the entrance/exit of the auditorium.
  • Please bring any beverage (including water) or snack you or your children may require as no snacks or coffee will be available in this phase (sad face) 
  • Children’s service or nursery will be not be offered in this phase; however, a place for mothers and babies to diaper change and nurse will be made available. There will also be several rooms available for parents to take children having difficulty being in the service. There will be limitations on the number of people in each room. The toys will be removed, so please bring any toys your child may require. Coloring sheets, sermon note sheets and crayons will be provided to each child in the service.
  • Hand sanitizer will be available at the entrance and egress points.
  • If you have been sick or have a fever in the preceding 72 hours we strongly advise you to stay home and watch the service online. 
  • If you have tested positive, or are awaiting test results for COVID-19, we recommend you stay at home until you have been advised by the health department or your health professional that you can end isolation.
  • If you have a household member that has been sick in the last 14 days, we recommend you stay home and watch the service online.

Live Streaming

  • Coming back to physical church services is a choice and should be done when you are ready.
  • We encourage those at high-risk for the COVID-19 virus to consider their return carefully.
  • We encourage those with babies and young children to delay their return until you are satisfied that you and your family will be safe.
  • For those who will delay their return, we ask you to continue worshipping with us live online on Facebook, YouTube, and our website. One of the opportunities this pandemic has created is for us to finetune our process for delivering our online service. We have been blessed richly in this area and surprised by the number of people “attending” from all over the country.
  • If you will be delaying your return we will also still be offering delivery of communion elements. Please contact us at office@mva.church if you wish to continue to have the elements brought to you.
  • In addition to our livestream, all resources for students and children will continue to be available on social media.

Future Phases

The timing of future phases will depend on the virus activity and our governments

  • The return to children’s programming
  • Normal arrangement of our auditorium
  • No need for registration for services
  • Coffee bar

We will continuously monitor the situation and these guidelines will be updated accordingly. All changes will be communicated in an expedient manner. We ask that you please continue to be in prayer for our each other, our church leadership, our community and our world as we face COVID19 together. Pray that people might meet Jesus through us through the hardships of this season. Pray that as we continue to adapt to changes we might grow in unity and preserve the bond of peace as we move forward for His glory alone.