To conduct our ministry and safely serve our members GSLC will allow small gatherings of up to 30 people to use the sanctuary.

Presently, the primary use of the sanctuary is to prepare the weekly virtual worship service recording. A significant amount of audio visual equipment and musical instruments occupy portions of the sanctuary and cannot be rearranged and restored without significant coordination and effort. Thus, the sanctuary should only be used for purposes (e.g., baptisms, weddings, events requiring the organ, etc.) that cannot be reasonably accomplished in other areas of the building.

Requests to use the sanctuary must be made to and approved by the Senior Pastor. The Senior Pastor will designate a leader responsible for preparation, conduct, and follow-up.

Scheduling

The Senior Pastor will inform and coordinate with the office staff, musicians and other volunteers. The schedule will allow ample time for the sanctuary to be cleaned between uses.

Before the event

Good Shepherd staff (or designate) will…

• Set the AC system as appropriate.
• Arrange to reset the HVAC after the meeting (to reduce wear/tear).
• Arrange for extra cleaning for relevant day and area.
• Put an “entrance” sign on outside doors so people know which doors to use. One or two of the main entrance doors to the narthex (church entry area) is recommended.
• Place a sanitation station outside the entrance doors and inside the sanctuary, near its doors.
• Replenish sanitizing wipes (to wipe down pews) and disposable masks as needed.
• Turn on the lights.
• Block rows of pews that should not be used.

The designated leader will…

• Send an email asking attendees to review the GSLC health guidelines and NOT attend if they exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to others who have COVID-19 within the previous 14 days.
• Arrange to obtain the key fob to unlock the Sanctuary entrance door(s). Weather permitting, the door should be propped open or someone designated to open the door. The door opener should wear a mask and gloves.
• Prop open the interior door(s) from the narthex to sanctuary.

During the event

The designated leader will…

• Take attendance by recording first and last names of each attendee as well as contact information (email and/or phone number)
• Announce toilets location to be used and limit to one person at a time unless assistance is needed.
• Point out sanitizing wipes that can be used to wipe down pews.

Attendees will…

• NOT attend if they exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 or have recently been exposed to others who have COVID-19 per GSLC health guidelines.
• Apply hand sanitizer upon entering the sanctuary.
• Stay in the narthex or sanctuary area.
• Maintain at least 6 feet of separation from other attendees or household groups. This can be accomplished by using every third pew row or staggering in a given row or alternating rows.
• Wear masks (covering nose and mouth) at all times.
• Notify leader(s) following a gathering or meeting if they develop COVID-19 symptoms within 14 days of the gathering.
• Notify leader(s) following a gathering if they learn they had been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 up to 14 days before the gathering.

After the event

The designated leader will…

• Bring sanitation station back inside building.
• Lock (unpin) exterior doors.
• Close all interior doors that were propped open.
• Turn off lights.
• Email the following to :
  • Confirmation that the close-out procedures are complete and the doors locked
  • The attendance list for possible contact tracing purposes