COVID-19 PLAN

UPDATED 9/22/2020

 

Keeping Our Greater Life Family Healthy and Connected

Currently, we are working to keep our faith community safe by holding the following options for worship:    

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Sunday Worship: 

  • Services begin Sundays at 11am

  • You may join us for an outdoor worship gathering or for online church. Please be aware that facial coverings and social distancing are required during our outdoor worship gatherings.   

  • You can stream LIVE on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GreaterLifeChurch. Make sure to follow our page and "like" it. This is our most interactive experience, since many people comment live during the service.  

  • You can stream LIVE here on our website at https://www.getgreaterlife.org/live

 

Midweek Bible Study: 

 

 

Staying Updated
Over the next several weeks, you will want to be diligent about staying updated. Following are the ways we intend to communicate: 

  • If you have not already subscribed to receive updates via text message, please do so. You can sign up by texting the word loop to (650) 297-2427.  

  • If you haven’t done so, please provide us with your email address so you can receive email updates. 

  • We are also posting updates via social media at: https://www.facebook.com/GreaterLifeChurch/

  • If you do not have a computer or smartphone, please let us know.  We will put you on a list to receive a phone call update. 

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Technology
Since we cannot meet in person during the week, we are using the following technologies to connect:

Internet:

  • Sunday and Tuesday gatherings can be viewed LIVE at on Facebook at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/GreaterLifeChurch/. You may also view the feed at https://www.getgreaterlife.org/.  

  • Our Friday igNite Youth Gatherings are being held every other Friday night.  They are using a video conferencing technology. 

  • Facebook Greater Life Family eGroup is a closed discussion group on Facebook. Ask for an invite. 

  • Prayer meetings are hosted using Zoom.

 

Calling in:

If you do not have internet access, you can still participate on Tuesdays, and Saturdays by calling in. Please call or text our church number for specific call-in numbers for our services. 

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Giving
It is critical during this time that our church is still able to operate and meet our monthly financial commitments.  Thank you for continuing to be faithful in your giving.  Here are our two electronic methods for transferring funds:  

 

If you do not use technology, you may mail or deliver offerings to the church. The address is:

Greater Life Church
847 N San Mateo Dr
San Mateo, CA 94401

 

Hope in the Word of God
So many people are anxious in our community.  I want to encourage you not to allow fear to overcome your faith and feelings of security and safety. We have a unique opportunity to lean on God and trust His sovereignty and care over us as we navigate every dangerous situation in life.  Instead of giving in to anxiety, I encourage you to find hope in these verses as you navigate these challenging times: 

  • 2 Timothy 1:7   For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

  • Psalm 91:5-7   He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you.

  • Psalm 91:9-11   Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.

  • Luke 12:25-26  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

  • John 14:27   Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

  • Philippians 4: 6   Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

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Greater Life Church CV19 Plan & Procedures 

Version 3.1, 9/18/2020

*** a more comprehensive copy of our plan is available by request ***

 

Guidance, References, Checklists & Recommendations 
We have reviewed the following guidelines and checklists, which have informed our approach to our phased reopening:

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  • CDC & Federal Guidelines: Considerations for Faith Communities

  • CA State Guidelines & Checklist, Guidance dated 7/29/2020, Checklist dated 7/01/2020  

  • San Mateo County orders and updates

  • Checklist for Churches by Pacific Justice Institute

 

Risk Assessment and Preventative Measures
While we acknowledge that gathering in groups may in some instances increase the risk of spread, we also acknowledge our constitutional right to assemble to worship. We communicate the risks to our regular members and high-risk members, and make an effort to a second-mile approach to preventing the likelihood of spread.  Since our only public gatherings have been outdoors as of the date of this publication, we believe our public gatherings offer less risk than grocery and big box store shopping, outdoor dining, salons and barbershops, casinos, etc. Since we strongly encourage face coverings and social distancing of greater than six feet, we believe our gatherings are much safer than outdoor demonstrations and protests. 

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Our second-mile preventative measures include outdoor public gatherings, social distancing protocols of more than six feet, strongly encouraging the wearing of facial coverings, personal symptom and temperature screening prior to entry, significant minimization of shared touchable surfaces, pre and post gathering sanitation protocols, and large public signage communicating spread reduction measures.  

 

Face Coverings
Worshippers and staff must wear face coverings in accordance with current regulations of the State of California. This includes during indoor operations, use of church facilities, and during   outdoor gatherings.  We offer disposable masks to those who come without them. 

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The only exemptions are those mentioned at the aforementioned reference, or when staff are on camera communicating to the public (such as we see exampled on broadcast news and during press conferences). 

 

Physical Distancing Guidelines

  • We provide services through alternative methods such as internet streaming and teleconference.

  • We currently hold weekend meetings outside, weather permitting.  We have not held an in-person indoor gathering since the first Shelter-In-Place order was issued.

  • We have implemented measures to ensure physical distancing of at least six feet between workers and worshippers who are not of the same household. We use visual cues to assist.  

  • We have set up outdoor seating areas to allow for greater than six-foot physical distance between congregants/ visitors.

  • We have closed play areas and discontinued organized activities for children where physical distance cannot be maintained.   

  • We encourage congregants/visitors to physically distance themselves from others outside their household, avoid touching surfaces, and to leave the facility if they do not feel well.

  • We encourage limiting touching such as holding hands, to members of the same household.

  • We direct guests to the outdoor seating area upon entry, rather than congregating in lobbies or common areas.

  • We assist visitors in finding places to sit or stand that are at least six feet away from others.

  • We prop or hold doors open during peak periods when visitors are entering and exiting facilities, when possible.

  • We have restricted indoor common areas, such as the kitchen, Sanctuary, Café, and office where people are likely to congregate and interact.

  • We have implemented low-community-touch baptisms. We empty and change water between uses, disinfecting the baptistry while wearing proper PPE between uses.

  • We dismiss congregants/visitors in an orderly way to maintain physical distancing and minimize crossflow of traffic, to the extent possible.

  • We utilize work practices, when feasible and necessary, to limit the number of workers in office, meeting spaces, etc., at one time.

  • We have eliminated self-service items selection such as pamphlet displays and offering envelopes.

  • Our restrooms are used only in case of emergencies and single occupancy.  Social distancing is not an issue.

  • We discourage workers, congregants, visitors, etc., from engaging in handshakes, hugs, and similar greetings that break physical distance.

  • We use signage and in-service announcements to remind people to wave or use other greetings.

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Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocols
 We have implemented the following protocols:

  • Perform thorough cleaning in high traffic areas. 

  • Frequently disinfect commonly used surfaces. 

  • Clean/ disinfect shared equipment between each use, such as microphones, music stands, instruments, and other items on pulpits and podiums between uses. 

  • Clean touchable surfaces between shifts or between users, whichever is more frequent. 

  • Ensure that sanitary facilities stay operational and stocked at all times. 

  • Single occupancy bathrooms are emergency-use only and are to be wiped down after each use.

  • Use signage to reinforce proper handwashing. This is reinforced with signage.

  • Make hand touchless hand sanitizer and other sanitary supplies readily available at entrances and contact areas. 

  • Use products approved for use against COVID-19 on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved list and train workers on chemical hazards, product instructions, ventilation requirements, and Cal/OSHA requirements. Follow the CDPH asthma-safer cleaning methods. 

  • Remove items that are difficult to clean and sanitize from meeting areas. 

  • Wash baptismal robes after each use. 

  • Workers wear gloves when handling others’ dirty linens, shoes, etc. 

  • Use alternate giving options such as secure drop boxes that do not require individual opening/closing and can be cleaned and disinfected. Use digital systems that allow touch-free offerings. 

  • When indoors, open windows if weather permits or run ventilation systems to introduce fresh outside air. 

  • Clean floors using a vacuum with HEPA filter or other methods that do not disperse pathogens into the air. 

  • We have upgraded the air filters for our air filtration and ventilation system.

 

Volunteer Staff/ Essential Workers
For the sake of this plan, volunteers include, but are not limited to, the following: speakers, worship band, A/V and media teams, setup and takedown crew, disinfecting team, and individual screening team. 


Communication with Volunteer Staff

  •  Volunteer staff receive training updates regarding proper procedures and revisions to State/County guidance as required. Copies of this plan are electronically distributed. A master copy is available for reference and review in the staff office.  

  • Copies of this plan are also available to our members via our member website. 

  • Training updates are sent via text and email. They are verbally reinforced as necessary.    

 

Training
All materials in this workplace plan are considered as necessary training materials. Additionally, volunteers must understand and/or abide by the following guidelines: 

  • Review information on COVID-19, how to prevent it from spreading, and which underlying health conditions may make individuals more susceptible to contracting the virus.

  • Volunteers should self-screen at home, including temperature and/or symptom checks using CDC guidelines. 

  • We require volunteers who are sick, or are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, or have come in close contact with a confirmed case (without having received a negative test themselves), to stay home. We require volunteers who have been in close contact with a confirmed case to stay home for the required period of time, or to obtain a test with negative results. They should immediately reach out to senior staff, informing them of their concerns.  They should also mark themselves as unavailable via our Planning Center scheduling tool until they have verified that they healthy via testing or ended their quarantine, whichever their circumstance dictates.

  • Volunteers are responsible to verify that they have received or conducted a temperature screening upon arriving onsite and beginning their shift.   

  • Social distancing (of greater than 6 feet) and face coverings are required for all volunteers, the only exception being or those who are exempt according to the state guidelines and when individuals are on camera. 

  • In order to lessen the likelihood of an outbreak among staff, social distancing is to be observed at work and off work time.  

  • Face coverings must be worn properly, in accordance with CDPH Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings. 

  • Workers must abide by proper handwashing protocols and sanitation procedures. 

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Compliance Processes 
We use the following means to enhance compliance, check for compliance, and correct deficiencies: 

  • Volunteers are to check for visible signs of deficiencies on a weekly basis, reporting any suspected deficiencies to senior staff.

  • Volunteers hold one another accountable.  Should a volunteer or worshipper show deficiencies in compliance, the observing volunteer should encourage and remind the individual to comply. In the event of intentional non-compliance, the volunteer should report the incident to senior staff.  Senior staff is responsible to meet with any who show disregard for these protocols.  If the individual will not agree to comply with protocols, the person will be relieved of their responsibilities. 

  • Indoor and outdoor signage has been installed as reminders of our public safety protocols.   

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Case Management and Protocols

  • Our case management processes and protocols are available by request and are included in our more comprehensive, written plan available at the administration office.

 

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849 N San Mateo Dr, San Mateo, CA   I   text us @ 650.297.2427   I   info@getgreaterlife.org

 

© 2019 Greater Life Church

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