MEMO

DISTRICT COUNCIL AFFILIATED CHURCH REOPEN PLAN UPDATE

JULY 2, 2020

Dear D.C.A. Pastors,

I trust this finds you all doing well and staying cool during this hot West Florida summer.  The following is an update on our Reopen Plan for District Council Affiliated Churches from the West Florida District Presbytery.  We are very proud of you and thankful for your leadership during this time.  We want to reiterate our expectations as well as share a few updates with you. 

  1. EVERY CHURCH MUST continue the Reopen Plan as presented. The plan includes the strict Social Distancing guidelines each church must adhere to. The guidelines have not changed for gatherings.
  1. Social Distancing guidelines are to be kept during all portions of the service including the worship, entrance, and exit of the building.  THERE ARE TO BE NO EXCEPTIONS!
  1. Considerations for the next phase expansions are currently on hold due to several developments with churches that have relaunched and the growing number of positive cases in our area. For now, D.C.A churches should continue with only Sunday A.M. services for at least the next two weeks.  We will update you as to the details of Phase 2 of our Reopen Plan as soon as possible.
  1. We hope to be able to offer a plan by July 20 that will include resuming midweek services, as well as student ministries and nursery.  Should the situation allow for the resuming of ministry to minors, we will provide basic guidelines and then ask each church to present their individual plan for relaunching these ministries. Each plan will then be reviewed by our Team before these ministries resume.  Again, we hope to be able to move to this planning stage by July 20 and be ready to relaunch these ministries in August in sync with the reopening of schools in your local area.
  2. Guidelines for responding to a Covid-19 positive individual that attended your church have been established.  You should have received these guidelines via email. You are to contact either Supt. Moore or Bro. Bill Mayo IMMEDIATELY should you be made aware of such a case at your church. 

While there many opinions as to the seriousness of this situation, we continue to have individuals that we know who are fighting for their lives and some who have lost their lives due to being infected with the virus. THE RISK IS VERY REAL AND EXTREMELY SERIOUS!  WE EXPECT THAT AS A PASTOR OF A D.C.A. CHURCH, YOU WILL TREAT IT ACCORDINGLY.

It is not our intention to make your job more difficult than it already is, neither are we wanting to restrict ministry in your local church.  We are doing all we can to help you be as safe and effective during these very difficult times.  None of this is easy for any of us, but we know better days are ahead.

Our Team continues to lift you up in prayer daily.  We are all here to serve you in any way we can.  Please feel free to reach out to us with any needs or concerns you may have. 

We look forward to connecting with you soon.

Thomas L. Moore

District Superintendent

supt@westflorida.ag

West Florida District Council of the Assemblies of God

4792 Highway 90  |   Marianna, Florida 32446  |  (850) 482- 2986