This week it has come to our attention that a church member who attended worship services last Sunday, November 22nd have tested positive for COVID-19 this week. This member exhibited no symptoms at the time. All CDC precautions were observed during the worship service. However, some members may have been exposed outside of the worship service either in the parking lot or at an offsite event. For your reference, the CDC defines an exposure as having close contact with a COVID-19 positive person for 15 minutes or greater, without wearing masks or eye protection. The church has done due diligence in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Health to ensure all safety steps were in place for members and staff. The process by the state of Virginia is that when positive tests are received, the Virginia Department of Health does contact tracing to notify all individuals who may have been exposed. If you believe you may have met the criteria for exposure, I recommend you reach out to your physician for guidance. The guidance you will likely receive is to self-quarantine for 14 days and to take a test if you become symptomatic.
One of the steps that has been in place is a thorough cleaning and disinfecting of the building before and after each worship service. This cleaning has been completed per the routine which includes disinfecting high contact areas such as doorknobs, church pews, hand railing, etc.
However, in an abundance of caution and concern for any of the members who might have been in attendance on November 22nd, it has been decided that we will cancel in person worship services this Sunday, November 29th. There are no concerns about the sanitation of the building as it has been deep cleaned, and the virus does not survive greater than 72 hours on any given surface. However, this is to minimize the risk to other members who might have unknowingly been exposed last week.
Please join our live stream at 11:00 am Sunday November 29th, for a simulated live service made up of previously recorded music along with Dr. Olson’s first Advent message: “Christ as the Ideal King”. Watch: https://youtu.be/H93Hprni4mY
All regularly checked Zoom meetings will continue as planned. If you have any questions please contact the church office.