COVID 19 and FCC

 
 

Worship FAQs

I am not feeling well. Can I still come to in person worship?  If you are not feeling well, we respectfully ask that you join us for worship online. 

I am not vaccinated. Can I still come to in person worship? At FCC, we welcome you wherever you are on life’s journey (even if that journey does not yet include a COVID 19 vaccination.) We do not require vaccination to attend worship. At the same time, we recognize that unvaccinated folks who join us for worship are choosing a high risk social activity. Therefore, masks and hand sanitizer are available for everyone’s use.

If you have hesitations or questions about vaccination, we have medical professionals in our congregation who would be happy to talk with you about those questions and hesitations. FCC is also willing to offer transportation or other support to help you access a vaccine.

The life that God has offered you is sacred. FCCBC also highly values the wisdom and knowledge offered by the medical community. We strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated.

Do I have to wear a mask? What if I am vaccinated? Masks are no longer required for in person worship. However, they are most certainly welcome!

Will worship still be offered online? Yes! FCC has a long history of broadcasting our service (first on the radio, now online) to offer greater access to worship participation. If you need to catch up on a service you missed, you can find an archive on our website.

Will Child Watch and Sunday School be offered? At this time, we will be offering Child Watch with Miss Amanda for infants to 3 year-olds. Any child, of any age, is welcome in our worship service. Feel free to bring whatever you need to help keep them occupied. Children are a vital part of our faith community and are always welcome in worship (even when they are squirmy or boisterous!) 

What steps will be taken to slow the spread of COVID 19 while worshipping in person? First we must recognize that both science and common sense tell us that our best efforts cannot completely eliminate the possibility of spread of coronavirus (the virus that causes COVID 19) in a large gathering such as worship. Therefore, each attendee is asked to prayerfully consider their own risk factors (vaccination status, health risks, etc.), the risk factors of those they live with and their own ethical guidance when choosing to join us in person.

 That being said, the following steps will be taken to mitigate (or lessen) the risk of such a gathering:

  • Hand sanitizer will be available upon entrance into the Sanctuary and at the Welcome Center as well. 

  • Masks are encouraged.

  • The Sanctuary will be cleaned and sanitized in between use

  • If the local health department reports a significant increase in COVID 19 infections, Church leadership will reconsider these and further measures.

Will I be asked to disclose or prove my vaccination status to attend in person worship? No.

Are there certain ways I can be helpful as we transition back to in person worship? 

  • Grace in abundance will be helpful! This is new territory for our congregation and we are certain to make errors. 

  • If you have not already done so, we highly recommend that you get the COVID 19 vaccination. This is the very best way to protect yourself, your family and your faith community.

  • If you have questions or concerns, please speak with Rev. Nate, an usher or with our administrator, Jaimie.  

Information for Building Users and Community Partners

Masks are not required in the building at this time.

General COVID FAQs

How can I find a vaccine in Calhoun County? 

 https://calhouncountymi.gov/departments/public_health_department/covid_vaccine.php

What do we know/not know about protection given by vaccination?

 Those who are fully vaccinated (2 weeks or more after both doses of a two dose vaccine like Moderna or Pfizer, or 2 weeks or more after one dose of a single dose vaccine like Johnson and Johnson) are highly unlikely to become seriously ill with COVID 19 or be hospitalized or die of COVID 19. If they get infected with COVID 19, they may experience mild symptoms (still unlikely) or none at all. There is a potential that a vaccinated person with COVID 19 could spread the virus to someone who is not vaccinated. This matter is currently being studied but no definitive answers are available at this time. 

 What do we know about current risks in our geographic area? Michigan as well as the Kalamazoo region are both at risk level E as of 5/13/21. This is the highest risk level. There has been a definitive downward trend but the risk level is still high. To see the current risk level for our region: https://www.mistartmap.info

What guidance can we get from State of Michigan Guidelines for in person worship? While churches are exempt from restrictions for gathering according to Michigan COVID 19 Guidelines, FCC has chosen to follow best practices and recommendations that provide the highest level of protection to our staff, volunteers and members. Schools, restaurants, some sports, and other settings are partially open, but those decisions are based on transmission prevention weighed against other overall factors (children’s well being while disconnected from school/sports, economic factors, etc.) There are not solid recommendations for a church such as ours nor accurate comparisons elsewhere.