Church Family

 

We are thankful to take steps toward coming back from COVID. Needfully, this will be a slow road forward requiring us to be careful and flexible. I believe our church is a resilient bunch, and it is now that a strong spirit of unity most counts.  

Beginning in February you will have three options for worship on Sunday:  

 

1.  Continue joining us online either at 10:30am or 5:00pm

2.  Rostered/Reserved seats for the 10:30am service (up to 100)

3.  Rostered/Reserved seats for the 5:00pm service (up to 100)  

 

Our goal is to facilitate regathering in a safe and compliant way, and to make our services as “touchless” as possible. We have tried to make these guidelines simple, asking you to manage your own risk and to express care toward others.  

Finally, this plan is fluid and represents a series of phases to be able to return to church. We ask you to regather in person only when you are comfortable doing so.   We love you and look forward to worshipping with you, either in person or online. We pray diligently that this hardship will pass and that you will stay healthy and safe.

WORSHIP OPTIONS
Service Schedule and Details
Sunday Schedule

Currently, our state is allowing gatherings based on square metres. We expect this number to increase over time, and as it does, it will be in communicated to the church and adjustments made. At this juncture, our auditorium is only able to have up to 100 adults (from 12th February 2021) apart from essential church workers.

Worship Services—10:30AM, 5:00PM
  • No nursery facilities will be provided during this phase.
  • Families living in the same household will be seated together.
  • Seating will be designated and will be clearly marked (ushers will help facilitate spacing).
  • Sunday attendance will flow through using a rostering system based on the small groups ministry, if excess capacity is available this will be advertised and will be taken as reservations.
  • You are encouraged to watch the live-stream of the service you are not rostered for or do not have reservations for.
Midweek Service—7:00PM
  • Midweek Service will be open for on property worship with the same restrictions applied as Sunday Services
Reservations
  • To facilitate the limited gatherings, you will be asked to attend only during your small groups rostered service.  
  • In the event there is excess capacity in seating, this will be advertised via the church app, the Friday and Saturday prior to the scheduled service.
  • You can reserve online or through the church app. To make a reservation, visit sbc.sydney/reserve
Seating Spaces

We will provide multiple separate seating spaces during each service. This will help with social distancing, flow, and families with small children.

  • The Fellowship Hall will be accessible for overflow purposes only, with the service provided on a screen.
WORSHIP PREPARATIONS
Sanitization of Facilities

 While we always seek to maintain high standards of cleanliness, extra measures have been taken to clean our common areas.

Janitorial/Maintenance
  • A specialised team of volunteers will do the cleaning in between services and restock the toilets for supplies of soap and paper towels.
  • A cleaning contractor has been sought to deep clean all common areas prior to Sunday.
  • Disinfectants and other chemicals used in cleaning the property will be used in accordance to the manufacturers guidelines.
  • Common areas will have purified air and all air filters sanitised weekly.

In the last month, we have hired temporary additional cleaning staff to sanitize chairs, surfaces, and toys.

Adjustments Made for Your Safety

 Our goal is to make service attendance as “touchless” as possible.

  • Airflow will be consistent throughout the building.
  • All bins have been replaced with open top and indoor bins have been removed.
  • All door handles and surfaces in bathrooms and common areas will be cleaned before, in between, and after services.
  • Hand sanitizer will be available at all entrances and throughout the building.
WORSHIP GUIDELINES
Social Distancing and Safety
Before You Attend

Please stay home if you or anyone in your family is showing symptoms of illness. Please note below list of symptoms based on the NSW Government Health website:

  • Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, sore/scratchy throat and shortness of breath.
  • Other reported symptoms of COVID-19 include loss of smell, loss of taste, runny nose, muscle pain, joint pain, diarrhoea, nausea/vomiting and loss of appetite.
  • In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia with severe acute respiratory distress.
Entering the Property
  • Prior to entering the property, you will be required to check in either via Prospect Highway or Alice Street.
    • You will have your attendance recorded and your temperature taken.
    • If your temperature is above 37.8° you will be checked again.
    • If you are above the threshold on your second measurement you will not be permitted to come onto property.
  • Please observe signage throughout the property.
  • Masks are compulsory, especially when singing or when physical distance may be compromised.
  • Sermon outlines, bulletins and other modes of information will only be available for download via email, website or app.
  • You will be asked to sanitise your hands upon entering any facility.
  • Handshaking should be replaced with a friendly wave.
  • Hot coffee and food service will not be available.
Inside the Auditorium
  • Rows for seating will be marked clearly.
  • Offering bags will not be passed around. We ask you to continue giving online, or you may use the offering box in the lobby.
  • There will be no greeting/handshaking time.
  • Temporarily, we ask you to refrain from physical contact with those outside of your family.
Dismissal
  • During dismissal, please maintain social distancing and avoid congregating near doors and aisles. Please be careful as you exit.
  • Entries and exits will be clearly marked.
  • Temporarily, please avoid crowding the lobby or toilet areas.
  • After dismissal, please exit the property promptly so that we can reset for the next service.
WORSHIP SAFELY
Seniors and the immunocompromised

 It is safest for seniors (65+) and the immunocompromised to avoid large gatherings for now. The NSW Government strongly recommend that you continue engaging online throughout this time.

Who is at risk?

 Based on what we know now, those at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19 are:

•       People 65 years and older
•       People with underlying medical conditions

Medical conditions include, but are not limited to:
•       Chronic lung disease or asthma
•       Heart conditions
•       Diabetes
•       immunocompromised

 If we become aware that someone who has attended a service becomes ill we will follow these procedures:

•       We will ask the person to stay home and seek medical care if needed.
•       We will contact all attendees present at the same service as the person who was ill.
•       Any areas we determine the confirmed COVID-19 person visited will be sanitised carefully.

Conclusion

 Thank you for understanding the need for these guidelines. As we begin our comeback, we each assume a certain level of risk and responsibility. Please only assume that risk when you are comfortable doing so in relation to your personal vulnerability. Please help us protect others by embracing these guidelines responsibly.  

While enhanced safety measures are being taken at Southland Baptist Church, an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the NSW Health Authorities, senior citizens and guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable. By visiting Southland Baptist Church, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.