New Guidelines for Gathering

From the IBC Covid Task Force - Linda Fields, Larry Maxwell, Steven Meriwether, and Jenny Wilson

In June 2020 our congregation adopted procedures to provide a safety-focused experience for in-person worship while also offering online services. The IBC Covid Task Force has continued to review and assess guidance from the CDC, national and local health professionals, and medical professionals within our church community.

The CDC has issued new guidance regarding safe activities for fully vaccinated individuals. Fully vaccinated people can resume activities, both indoor and outdoor, without wearing a mask or maintaining social distancing. There are some exceptions for certain settings that do not apply to Immanuel Baptist Church. The new guidelines do not apply to unvaccinated individuals or to those who are immune compromised.

Based on the new guidance, starting Sunday, May 23, fully vaccinated individuals will no longer be required to wear masks while in the building or during worship. We continue to show respect to those who have not yet been fully vaccinated, and to individuals who mask and observe social distancing due to health conditions or personal preference. To support this change, the organ side of the sanctuary will continue to be roped off to facilitate social distancing, and the piano side will be open seating.

We look forward to continuing to worship together both in-person and via live stream. Plans are also underway to assess next steps for other activities in our church life (e.g. Wednesday evenings). We are grateful for God's love, grace, and compassion as we reflect on the past year, and work to discern the path forward. We are also grateful for our family of faith at Immanuel Baptist Church. True to our name, we have shown that God is with us by caring for each other.