GCC REOPENING UPDATES
November 5, 2020
As we approach the end of 2020, the Reopening Committee has received numerous questions regarding our congregation’s next steps towards returning to normalcy and fully reopening Grace Community Chapel. We would like to address some of the more frequently asked questions pertaining to our ongoing ministries and plans for the future (see FAQ below). It is our hope that the answers to these questions will provide you with some insight into the church’s plans. However, we understand that you may have more questions, and the Reopening Committee will be available at our annual congregational meeting on November 15 to answer additional questions. Click the button below to learn more or register to attend the meeting.
Respectfully,
The Grace Community Chapel Reopening Committee
Respectfully,
The Grace Community Chapel Reopening Committee
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. Where did the Reopening Committee come from and who are they?
A. The Reopening Committee started in April 2020, during the 15-30 days of shutdown to slow the spread of the virus. It currently consists of four elders (Mike Hill, Randy Mardis, Rob Wyand, and Bryan Lisech), two deacons (Randy Bourgeois and Darren Moe), and our Senior Pastor, Jason Krute.
Q. Where does the committee's authority come from; who does it answer to?
A. It was established by the elders and operates under the authority of the elders.
Q. What is the mission/guiding principle of the committee?
A. Our mission and goal is to help establish the policies and procedures that allow Grace Community Chapel to reopen and resume our ministries to continue to glorify God, further His kingdom, and love all of our congregation without compromising our witness to the community.
Practically speaking, there is diversity of opinion on how to approach and react to the pandemic, not only within our own body but within the local community, and we as a committee are trying to ensure we enable our ministries while being respectful of our congregation, earthly authorities, and neighbors.
Q. What has reopened? What ministries have resumed?
A. Several ministries have resumed, the most notable being our in-person Worship Services and Children's Worship Service. We have also hosted Girls’ Night Out, Awana, Men’s Bible Study, Women’s Bible Study, Piloga, Precepts, Youth Group, Martha Fellowship, D-Group, College and Career Group, Oasis Winter Clothing Drive, and Operation Christmas Child. Also, certain in-person Adult Sunday Schools are meeting on Sunday morning. Lastly, we have been working with several groups that have previously used our building to restart their ministries.
Q. What are Grace Community Chapel’s next steps and plans for returning to normalcy?
A. The Reopening Committee is looking into understanding how we as a church can safely bring back our Sunday children's ministry. Understanding that children are not known for their social distancing skills, we are monitoring local and national health authorities’ pandemic updates and looking into current guidance and best practices regarding children's programs here in St. Charles county to help inform Grace's actions.
Q. When will Grace Community Chapel bring back children's ministries?
A. We are currently targeting January. Grace Community Chapel is working though how to best understand the unique requirements of children's ministries and developing a detailed plan to meet the congregation's needs.
Q. Does Grace Community Chapel have a timeline/target for resuming 100% normal operations?
A. Our guiding principle is to return to normal as soon as possible. It is difficult to put an exact timeline to this as circumstances are frequently changing. We are constantly leaning forward to reopen ministries in a way that addresses the concerns of all our members.
Lastly, the committee is always looking for and welcomes any ideas and feedback that might help Grace speed the return of our ministries.
A. The Reopening Committee started in April 2020, during the 15-30 days of shutdown to slow the spread of the virus. It currently consists of four elders (Mike Hill, Randy Mardis, Rob Wyand, and Bryan Lisech), two deacons (Randy Bourgeois and Darren Moe), and our Senior Pastor, Jason Krute.
Q. Where does the committee's authority come from; who does it answer to?
A. It was established by the elders and operates under the authority of the elders.
Q. What is the mission/guiding principle of the committee?
A. Our mission and goal is to help establish the policies and procedures that allow Grace Community Chapel to reopen and resume our ministries to continue to glorify God, further His kingdom, and love all of our congregation without compromising our witness to the community.
Practically speaking, there is diversity of opinion on how to approach and react to the pandemic, not only within our own body but within the local community, and we as a committee are trying to ensure we enable our ministries while being respectful of our congregation, earthly authorities, and neighbors.
Q. What has reopened? What ministries have resumed?
A. Several ministries have resumed, the most notable being our in-person Worship Services and Children's Worship Service. We have also hosted Girls’ Night Out, Awana, Men’s Bible Study, Women’s Bible Study, Piloga, Precepts, Youth Group, Martha Fellowship, D-Group, College and Career Group, Oasis Winter Clothing Drive, and Operation Christmas Child. Also, certain in-person Adult Sunday Schools are meeting on Sunday morning. Lastly, we have been working with several groups that have previously used our building to restart their ministries.
Q. What are Grace Community Chapel’s next steps and plans for returning to normalcy?
A. The Reopening Committee is looking into understanding how we as a church can safely bring back our Sunday children's ministry. Understanding that children are not known for their social distancing skills, we are monitoring local and national health authorities’ pandemic updates and looking into current guidance and best practices regarding children's programs here in St. Charles county to help inform Grace's actions.
Q. When will Grace Community Chapel bring back children's ministries?
A. We are currently targeting January. Grace Community Chapel is working though how to best understand the unique requirements of children's ministries and developing a detailed plan to meet the congregation's needs.
Q. Does Grace Community Chapel have a timeline/target for resuming 100% normal operations?
A. Our guiding principle is to return to normal as soon as possible. It is difficult to put an exact timeline to this as circumstances are frequently changing. We are constantly leaning forward to reopen ministries in a way that addresses the concerns of all our members.
Lastly, the committee is always looking for and welcomes any ideas and feedback that might help Grace speed the return of our ministries.