12/23/21: Updates to COVID Procedures

The session called a special meeting on Thursday, December 23rd to review the current COVID data, evaluate the current safety measures in place, determine if additional safety measures are merited, and, if so, create a plan to implement them.  This was in keeping with our current COVID policy, which states that if the % positive for Davidson County exceeds 10%, the session will meet to determine what precautions are deemed necessary.

The session deemed the following measures necessary at this time:

1. Masks are required in the church at all times. We ask congregants to keep masks in place even when seated in a pew and while singing.
2. The pews will remain blocked off as they are to encourage social distancing.
3. We will once again remain in place for the Passing of the Peace during the worship service.
4. Services planned for the chapel will be moved to the sanctuary to allow for greater social distancing.
5. We will continue using self-serve communion cups.
6. During worship, the Pastor and liturgists will utilize the pulpit rather than the floor area when speaking. This is another effort to allow for extra social distancing.

The session will continue to monitor the % positivity rate to determine if additional precautions should be implemented in the future. With the number of positive cases in Davidson County continuing to rise, the Session has also authorized the pastor to call a meeting to reevaluate these policies if or when she deems it necessary.  Any further updates will be posted in a similar manner to these changes, and will be communicated to the congregation as promptly as possible. Please email dpchurchsession@gmail.com with any questions or concerns about this update to our COVID safety procedures.

It is difficult to balance the life of the church with the needs of the community in such a time as this. The session covets your prayers as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. We appreciate your support as we seek to implement the procedures we hope will help ensure the safety of all who enter The Downtown Presbyterian Church.