Due to the NC Mask and Social Distancing Mandates being lifted last week, we are going to modify our Pandemic Practices as follows:
1. We strongly encourage our members to consider continuing to wear their masks for everyone’s safety, but we aren’t going to require mask wearing once you are seated inside our sanctuary. We will continue to require you to wear a mask into our facilities and whenever you aren’t seated in your seat (vaccinated or not) out of respect for others, i.e., upon entering or leaving the building or going to the restroom. Temperature checks will be discontinued, but we do ask that you still use hand sanitizer upon entry and departure.
2. As far as seating is concerned, we will maintain the social distancing protocols that we have in place. In addition, we are going to split the sanctuary down the middle with one side being designated for mask wearers and one side being for those that wish to remove their mask. Upon entry to our sanctuary, the pews to your right (on the same side as the sight and sound booth) will be reserved for those who wish to remove their masks once seated. The left side and the overflow room will continue to be reserved for those that wish to continue wearing their masks.
3. My visitation practice during the pandemic has been to visit only when absolutely necessary and requested. Beginning June 1st, I will resume my regular pastoral visitation practices with porch or indoor visits to our church family. If you are uncomfortable with a visit at this time, please contact me personally either by phone, text, or email and notify me of your desire to NOT receive pastoral visits at this time.
4. We will be resuming Sunday School on June 13th from 9am - 9:45am. More information will be provided the first of June.
We truly hope and pray that this will be a step toward moving into God’s new normal for our church family. These decisions were made in order to continue to keep our church family safe as COVID remains a threat that we must be vigilant against. Currently, only 41.8% of our state are vaccinated, and only 21.8% of our county are vaccinated. Vaccine safety and effectiveness are also still up for debate as testing continues.
We also ask each of you to guard against a divisive spirit that would be concerned about whether someone else has received their vaccine or not. Getting the vaccine is a personal medical decision. Each of us must decide what is best for ourselves and our families. No one needs to feel shunned or pressured in any way over the vaccine. So let’s fight to maintain the unity of our church family at all costs. If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at:
Coronavirus Pandemic Update: 5/21/2021
Coronavirus Pandemic Update: 5/21/2021
Good Evening Ephesus Family,
Due to the NC Mask and Social Distancing Mandates being lifted last week, we are going to modify our Pandemic Practices as follows:
1. We strongly encourage our members to consider continuing to wear their masks for everyone’s safety, but we aren’t going to require mask wearing once you are seated inside our sanctuary. We will continue to require you to wear a mask into our facilities and whenever you aren’t seated in your seat (vaccinated or not) out of respect for others, i.e., upon entering or leaving the building or going to the restroom. Temperature checks will be discontinued, but we do ask that you still use hand sanitizer upon entry and departure.
2. As far as seating is concerned, we will maintain the social distancing protocols that we have in place. In addition, we are going to split the sanctuary down the middle with one side being designated for mask wearers and one side being for those that wish to remove their mask. Upon entry to our sanctuary, the pews to your right (on the same side as the sight and sound booth) will be reserved for those who wish to remove their masks once seated. The left side and the overflow room will continue to be reserved for those that wish to continue wearing their masks.
3. My visitation practice during the pandemic has been to visit only when absolutely necessary and requested. Beginning June 1st, I will resume my regular pastoral visitation practices with porch or indoor visits to our church family. If you are uncomfortable with a visit at this time, please contact me personally either by phone, text, or email and notify me of your desire to NOT receive pastoral visits at this time.
4. We will be resuming Sunday School on June 13th from 9am - 9:45am. More information will be provided the first of June.
We truly hope and pray that this will be a step toward moving into God’s new normal for our church family. These decisions were made in order to continue to keep our church family safe as COVID remains a threat that we must be vigilant against. Currently, only 41.8% of our state are vaccinated, and only 21.8% of our county are vaccinated. Vaccine safety and effectiveness are also still up for debate as testing continues.
We also ask each of you to guard against a divisive spirit that would be concerned about whether someone else has received their vaccine or not. Getting the vaccine is a personal medical decision. Each of us must decide what is best for ourselves and our families. No one needs to feel shunned or pressured in any way over the vaccine. So let’s fight to maintain the unity of our church family at all costs. If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at:
pastor.ephesusnc@gmail.com.
Joyfully His,
Pastor Wayne