reopening plan 2020 · will be both for the physical gathering of our people as well as creating...

R E O P E N I N G P L A NM E M B E R ’ S G U I D E

Some Helpful Definitions

V U L N E R A B L E P O P U L A T I O N S

Before We Begin, Here Are

People who are 65 years or older. People with chronic lung disease, asthma, serious heart conditions, diabetes, liver disease, chronic kidney disease or are immunocompromised.

W A T C H P A R T I E S

Watch Parties are in-home events that will take place all over our city on Sunday. These parties should be hosted by Community Group members or other willing hosts and are both missional and communal. Watch Parties are environments where families, neighbors, and friends are welcomed into homes where people participate in worship, teaching, fellowship, and the sharing of meals.

NOTE: Mercy will provide training and resources to aid in hosting these parties. This is a great opportunity for Mercy's vision

of a Gospel Awakening that starts in Charlotte to become a reality. Many people who have not yet heard or believed the gospel

would be more willing and comfortable to come to a Watch Party in a person's home than a normal church service.

Facilities Reopening ProtocolsOur Plan Forward

This document will outline the specific guidelines Mercy will employ to ensure that its campus(es) are properly cleaned, sanitized, and set up to allow for

smooth and safe operations during in-person gatherings. These protocols will involve training various individuals as well as securing the necessary

equipment and supplies needed for implementation.

P H A S E

P H A S E 1

P H A S E 2

P H A S E 3

P H A S E 4

G O V. G U I D E L I N E S W O R S H I P S E R V I C E S C O M . G R O U P S M E R C Y K I D S M E R C Y S T U D E N T S M I N I S T R Y E V E N T S D E C I S I O N P O I N T [ F O R S H I F T I N G P H A S E S ]

S t a y - a t - h o m e , > 1 0 w o r s h i p a l l o w e d o u t s i d e , s o c i a l

d i s t a n c i n g

S t a y - a t - h o m e l i f t e d , l a r g e r

g r o u p s a l l o w e d t o g a t h e r i n s i d e f o r

w o r s h i p

D e c r e a s e d r e s t r i c t i o n s o n

v u l n e r a b l e p o p u l a t i o n s ,

i n c r e a s e d l i m i t o n p e o p l e a l l o w e d a t

g a t h e r i n g s

N O D E F I N I T I V E P H A S E

O n l i n e S e r v i c e O n l y

O n l i n e S e r v i c e & M e r c y Wa t c h

P a r t i e s i n h o m e s

O n l i n e S e r v i c e , M e r c y Wa t c h P a r t i e s , a n d

l i m i t e d & m o d i fi e d o n s i t e w o r s h i p

O n l i n e S e r v i c e , r e s u m e

o n - c a m p u s w o r s h i p ( s e r v i c e # a n d t i m e s T B D )

O n l i n e . D - G r o u p s i n - p e r s o n

I n - p e r s o n ( C G i s d i � e r e n t t h a n Wa t c h P a r t i e s )

I n - p e r s o n ( C G i s d i � e r e n t t h a n Wa t c h P a r t i e s )

R e t u r n t o n o r m a l

O n l i n e S e r v i c e & P a r e n t R e s o u r c i n g

O n l i n e S e r v i c e & Wa t c h P a r t y r e s o u r c i n g

O n l i n e S e r v i c e , k i d s a t t e n d w o r s h i p

s e r v i c e / w a t c h p a r t y & l i m i t e d c h i l d c a r e

a v a i l a b l e


O n l i n e

O n l i n e

O n l i n e a n d l i m i t e d i n - p e r s o n ( i f c o m p a c t i v i t e s r e s u m e w i t h < 1 8

y r s )


O n l i n e a n d l i m i t -e d i n - p e r s o n

G o v e r n m e n t r e m o v e s s t a y - a t - h o m e a n d a l l o w s w o r s h i p g a t h e r i n g s i n s i d e f o r 1 0 - 9 9 p e o p l e

G o v e r n m e n t a l l o w s w o r s h i p g a t h e r i n g s i n s i d e f o r 1 0 0 + p e o p l e a n d M e r c y ' s N e w F a c i l i t y R e o p e n i n g P r o t o c o l s a r e i n p l a c e

G o v e r n m e n t r e m o v e s g a t h e r i n g r e s t r i c t i o n s a n d t h e c o m m u n i t y r e s u m e s a c t i v i t i e si n v o l v i n g k i d s ( i . e . s p o r t s , c a m p s , s c h o o l s , p o o l s , e t c )

G o v e r n m e n t a n d / o r H e a l t h O � c i a l sr e c o m m e n d r e t u r n i n g t o a s t r i c t e r p r o t o c o l f o r s l o w i n g t h e s p r e a d o f d i s e a s e ( a n o t h e r w a v e o f s p r e a d i n g )

L i m i t e d ( i n - p e r s o n & v i r t u a l )

L i m i t e d ( i n - p e r s o n )


G o v e r n m e n t a l l o w s w o r s h i p g a t h e r i n g s i n s i d e f o r 1 0 0 + p e o p l e a n d M e r c y ' s N e w F a c i l i t y R e o p e n i n g P r o t o c o l s a r e i n p l a c e

P H A S E

PHASE 1Understanding

P H A S E

P H A S E 1

G O V. G U I D E L I N E S W O R S H I P S E R V I C E S C O M . G R O U P S M E R C Y K I D S M E R C Y S T U D E N T S M I N I S T R Y E V E N T S D E C I S I O N P O I N T [ F O R S H I F T I N G P H A S E S ]

S t a y - a t - h o m e , > 1 0 w o r s h i p a l l o w e d o u t s i d e , s o c i a l

d i s t a n c i n g

O n l i n e S e r v i c e O n l y O n l i n e . D - G r o u p s i n - p e r s o n

O n l i n e S e r v i c e & P a r e n t R e s o u r c i n g

O n l i n e O n l i n e a n d l i m i t e d i n - p e r s o n

G o v e r n m e n t r e m o v e s s t a y - a t - h o m e a n d a l l o w s w o r s h i p g a t h e r i n g s i n s i d e f o r 1 0 - 9 9 p e o p l e

G O V E R N M E N T G U I D E L I N E S

Stay-at-home order in place. Restrictions only allow for gatherings of <10 people. Exceptions are made for outdoor worship services with social

distancing (6' or more) being practiced. These outdoor services can include more than 10 people.

M E R C Y C H U R C H G A T H E R I N G S

WORSHIP SERVICES: Main service is available online starting at 10am on Sundays. Services are designed to be viewed in-home. Mercy facilities

are closed.

COMMUNITY GROUPS: Community Groups are still meeting on regular schedule via video conferencing. D-groups have the opportunity to meet

within health guidelines. The vulnerable populations are encouraged to participate virtually.

S H I F T I N G T O N E X T P H A S E

When the government removes the stay-at-home order and allows inside worship gatherings for anywhere from 10 to 99 people.

MERCY KIDS & STUDENTS: Mercy Kids service is available online starting Sundays at 9:15am. Mercy Students (6th-12th grade) are meeting online

via video conferencing on Thursdays. Parents being sent resources to use in home with kids and students.

MINISTRY EVENTS & SERVING OPPORTUNITIES: All other ministry events (i.e. Equip classes, prayer meetings, etc) are being conducted

primarily online and have been reduced. Some in-person gatherings may take place. Serving opportunities and community partnerships are

limited and generally determined by individual partner's limitations/restrictions.

P H A S E


P H A S E G O V. G U I D E L I N E S W O R S H I P S E R V I C E S C O M . G R O U P S M E R C Y K I D S M E R C Y S T U D E N T S M I N I S T R Y E V E N T S D E C I S I O N P O I N T [ F O R S H I F T I N G P H A S E S ]


As we enter NC's Phase 2, the stay-at-home order will be lifted and larger groups will be allowed to gather both inside and outside. Because we

don't know how many people will be allowed to gather inside our facilities, we're making plans assuming that the number is between 10 and 99..


WORSHIP SERVICES: Main service is available online. We will establish missionally focused Watch Parties around the city. These Watch Parties

will be both for the physical gathering of our people as well as creating welcoming environments for us to engage our community and bring others

to church. Vulnerable populations will be encouraged to attend worship services virtually.

P H A S E 2S t a y - a t - h o m e l i f t e d ,

l a r g e r g r o u p s a l l o w e d t o g a t h e r i n s i d e f o r w o r s h i p

O n l i n e S e r v i c e & M e r c y Wa t c h P a r t i e s

i n h o m e s

I n - p e r s o n ( C G i s d i � e r e n t t h a n Wa t c h

P a r t i e s )

O n l i n e S e r v i c e & Wa t c h P a r t y r e s o u r c i n g

O n l i n e

G o v e r n m e n t a l l o w s w o r s h i p g a t h e r i n g s i n s i d e f o r 1 0 0 + p e o p l e a n d M e r c y ' s N e w F a c i l i t y R e o p e n i n g P r o t o c o l s a r e i n p l a c e L i m i t e d ( i n - p e r s o n &

v i r t u a l )


When the government allows inside worship gatherings with 100+ people.

Once Mercy has established and properly executed its Facility Reopening Protocols we will move to Phase 3.

** If the government removes the restrictions for gatherings of 100+ people prior to Mercy completing its Facility Reopening Protocols, Mercy

Church will remain in Phase 2 until this is completed.

WATCH PARTIES: Watch Parties take place all over our city. These groups are both missional and communal. Mercy provides training and

resources to aid in hosting and leading new attenders well through the Sunday worship service. Watch Parties are encouraged to be environments

where families, neighbors, and friends are welcomed into homes where people can participate in worship, the preaching of God's Word,

fellowship, and the sharing of meals. Watch Party attendees are encouraged to follow recommended health guidelines. Vulnerable populations

are encouraged to attend groups virtually.

COMMUNITY GROUPS: Community Groups are encouraged to resume in-person gatherings while following the recommended health guidelines.

Vulnerable populations are encouraged to attend groups virtually.

MERCY KIDS & STUDENTS: Mercy Kids service is available online starting Sundays at 9:15am. Watch Parties are encouraged to create space for

this kids service as well as various activities and resources provided by Mercy to aid in creating meaningful worship experiences for kids. Mercy

Students (6th-12th grade) are meeting online via video conferencing on Thursdays.

MINISTRY EVENTS & SERVING OPPORTUNITIES: Most ministry events (i.e. Equip classes, prayer meetings, etc) are being conducted online and,

in some cases, are in-person while following strict guidelines as recommended by Health O�cials (i.e. face masks, distancing, etc). Serving

opportunities and community partnerships are limited and generally determined by individual partner's limitations/restrictions.

P H A S E

P H A S E 3

D e c r e a s e d r e s t r i c t i o n s o n

v u l n e r a b l e p o p u l a t i o n s ,

i n c r e a s e d l i m i t o n p e o p l e a l l o w e d a t

g a t h e r i n g s

O n l i n e S e r v i c e , M e r c y Wa t c h

P a r t i e s , a n d l i m i t e d & m o d i fi e d o n s i t e

w o r s h i p

I n - p e r s o n ( C G i s d i � e r e n t t h a n Wa t c h

P a r t i e s )

O n l i n e S e r v i c e , k i d s a t t e n d w o r s h i p

s e r v i c e / w a t c h p a r t y & l i m i t e d c h i l d c a r e

a v a i l a b l e

O n l i n e a n d l i m i t e d i n - p e r s o n ( i f c o m p

a c t i v i t e s r e s u m e w i t h < 1 8 y r s )

G o v e r n m e n t r e m o v e s g a t h e r i n g r e s t r i c t i o n s a n d t h e c o m m u n i t y r e s u m e s a c t i v i t i e s i n v o l v i n g k i d s ( i . e . s p o r t s , c a m p s , s c h o o l s , p o o l s , e t c )

L i m i t e d ( i n - p e r s o n )




As we enter NC's Phase 3, there will be decreased restrictions on the vulnerable populations and an increased limit on the amount of people who

are allowed to gather indoors. Because we don't know how many people will be allowed to gather inside our facilities, we're making plans

assuming that the number is 100+ people in this Phase.


WORSHIP SERVICES*: Main service is available online. We will continue to have Watch Parties in homes around our communities. Vulnerable

populations will be encouraged to follow Health O�cials’ recommendations and potentially attend a virtual service. We may o�er limited in-person

worship services at Mercy Campuses. These worship services may have specific guidelines in place (i.e. face masks, distancing, handwashing,

etc) and may have attendance restrictions to aid in following new procedures that will be put in place to help prevent the spreading of disease.

WATCH PARTIES: Watch Parties continue to take place all over our city. Watch Party attendees will be encouraged to follow recommended health

guidelines.

COMMUNITY GROUPS: Community Groups are encouraged to continue in-person gatherings while following the recommended health

guidelines. Vulnerable populations are encouraged to attend groups virtually if desired or to otherwise strictly follow all Health O�cials’

recommended guidelines.

MERCY KIDS & STUDENTS: Mercy Kids service is available online starting Sundays at 9:15am. Watch Parties are encouraged to create space for

this kids service as well as various activities and resources provided by Mercy to aid in creating meaningful worship experiences for kids.

Additionally kids are invited to attend on-campus Worship Services. Limited childcare may be provided at some on-campus services. Mercy

Students (6th-12th grade) are meeting online via video conferencing on Thursdays. If community is allowing for resumption of events involving

minors (i.e. sporting events, youth camps, etc) some in-person Student events resume.

MINISTRY EVENTS & SERVING OPPORTUNITIES: Most ministry events (i.e. Equip classes, prayer meetings, etc) are being conducted in-person

and following guidelines as recommended by Health O�cials (i.e. face masks, distancing, etc). Online accessibility to these events will be

available for those who opt out of in-person gatherings/events. Serving opportunities and community partnerships are limited and generally

determined by individual partner's limitations/restrictions.

** Due to resourcing and volunteer recruitment, these in-person, on-campus Worship Services may not have in-person preaching. Additionally,

other various service elements will likely be received via video.


When the government removes gathering restrictions (or at least groups of 400+ are allowed).v

When Charlotte and surrounding communities resume activities involving kids (i.e. sports, camps, schools, pools, etc).

P H A S E




No restrictions. Recommendations only.


WORSHIP SERVICES: Full capacity services resumed with adjustments in order to abide by health recommendations.

.

COMMUNITY GROUPS: Community Groups are encouraged to continue in-person gatherings while following the recommended health guidelines.

MERCY KIDS & STUDENTS: Resume in-person gatherings on campus during services (Mercy Kids/Students environments and events resume)

MINISTRY EVENTS AND SERVING OPPORTUNITIES: Various ministry events and serving opportunities resume. Ministry Teams, local service

opportunities, and other events are free to gather in-person while following recommended health guidelines.

P H A S E 4 N O D E F I N I T I V E P H A S E

O n l i n e S e r v i c e , r e s u m e o n - c a m p u s w o r s h i p ( s e r v i c e #

a n d t i m e s T B D )

R e t u r n t o n o r m a l R e t u r n t o n o r m a l R e t u r n t o n o r m a l

G o v e r n m e n t a n d / o r H e a l t h O � c i a l s r e c o m -m e n d r e t u r n i n g t o a s t r i c t e r p r o t o c o l f o r s l o w i n g t h e s p r e a d o f d i s e a s e ( a n o t h e r w a v e o f s p r e a d i n g )



Mercy will monitor closely and remain ready to pivot should another wave of disease spreading arrive.

W E L O O K F O R W A R D T O

G A T H E R I N G T O G E T H E R

M E R C Y C H A R L O T T E . C O M

reopening plan 2020 · will be both for the physical gathering of our people as well as creating...

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