Following the Governor’s May 14th announcement easing restrictions on mask wearing, social distancing, and capacity limits for indoors, in-person gatherings, the COVID Think Tank, staff, and deacons have been considering best steps for Greystone as we continue to slowly ease back in to in-person and indoor activities on our campus. Since March of 2020, we have continued to follow scientific research and recommendations from federal, state, and local authorities as we have created and adapted our pandemic plan.
Because the numbers have declined so substantially and vaccines are now available to anyone age 12 and older; and because the early research shows that fully vaccinated people are not likely to contract or transmit COVID-19, we feel it is time to adapt our own policies related to the pandemic.
That being said, it is important to note that due to the presence of individuals who are immune compromised, are medically unable to receive full vaccination, or who are under the age of 12 in our congregation; we want to continue to be respectful, abundantly cautious, compassionate, and considerate of how our individual choices impact the whole community.
In addition, there are many divergent and competing needs and preferences that all of us are considering as we make decisions that will impact everyone in our church family. We thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we (COVID Think Tank, staff, and deacons) prayerfully discern Greystone’s process of regathering the church.
With all of this in mind, we have decided to make the following changes, effective immediately:
- Although we continue to encourage all people to wear masks indoors, fully vaccinated people are no longer required to wear masks indoors, unless they are in proximity with children.
- Masks are not required at outdoor gatherings.
- The choir is now beginning to rehearse in-person and will be singing for our upcoming worship services. They will continue to wear masks whenever singing indoors.
The following remains unchanged:
- Social distancing measures are taken for all indoor events, including worship
- Events including food are encouraged to be planned for outdoor spaces.
- We will continue to hold worship outdoors on the first Sunday of the month to encourage full participation from our families with children under the age of 12 and those who are in high-risk categories or who are immune compromised.
The staff is now working to create a plan that includes “mask” zones where our children and families can gather for worship, Sunday school, and fellowship while following recommendations that are still in place for those who are not yet able to become vaccinated. Stay tuned for more information about those plans.
Thank you again for your understanding and patience with all of us as we work to find solutions that are safe and comfortable for all.