Brandon Christian Church (BCC) has always been a close-knit family of Christ believers. The building has been vacant since March to protect our members following the guidance of the local, state, and national governments. Things have changed from March to now, and with updated guidance from the state government we are now able to re -enter the building for in person worship with certain guidelines that must be followed.
BCC formed a Re-Entry Task Force, charged with preparing and implementing a plan to begin worshipping together. The date that is being targeted is Sunday, July 26, this is what you can expect should you come to worship:
1) Before you get to the building a team of people will clean and sanitize the sanctuary.
2) When you come to the building, you will be required to wear a face mask to enter. If you do not have a face mask, one will be provided for you.
3) You will have your temperature taken at the front door and if it is below 99.9 degrees Fahrenheit you will be allowed in.
4) BCC will be keeping attendance records and we will notify you if someone tests positive at the service you attended.
5) Once in the Narthex, you will see blue and green tape on the floor with arrows which tell you what direction you must go, along with markings for social distancing (6 feet).
6) Once in the sanctuary you will see blue tape Xing out the rows not to be used for seating, and blue tape on the pews marking 6 feet between seating areas. Families and couples can sit together, and single people can sit in the areas not marked with blue tape. The safe seating areas on each side of the open pews hold about 2 people a piece, to accommodate families sitting together please do not sit in a pew where there are more than 3 people on the other side already. These measures are to follow social distancing guidelines.
7) Masks must be worn at all times, and as of now there will be no singing by the congregation. There will be music and singing by Rick and if you choose you can hum or mentally sing along with him, I know I sound much better mentally singing or mouthing the words.
8) Initially the communion elements will be “bring your own” until the pre-made elements become available then they will be handed to you as you enter. You will be responsible for discarding the packaging in the garbage can on your way out.
9) Upon either entering the sanctuary or leaving there will be an offering box which you can put your offerings in.
10) We ask that as soon as the service is over, you leave the building quickly. As of right now there still is no fellowship in the fellowship hall, but if you choose to converse with someone it can be done outside while still maintaining social distancing guidelines.
11) Once all have exited the sanctuary a team will again clean and sanitize it.
Please use the restrooms by the sanctuary following hand washing guidelines. The fellowship hall is being used by Gulf Coast for their service so please do not enter it.
If at any time you feel uncomfortable attending worship in person please do not worry, BCC will continue to stream live services using social media like Facebook and YouTube, just as we have for the past 3 months.
Nobody knows when things will, if ever, get back to normal as we know it but our faith in the Lord is what keeps us safe and sane.
One thing for certain is that our Lord and Savior has not changed and continues to be our rock but how we worship Him has changed a little.
-Steve Benitez, on behalf of the BCC Re-entry Task Force
