Update from the COVID-19 Response Team [September 26, 2021]

COVID-19 Updates

Update from the GCGCNY Covid-19 Response Team, Sept 26, 2021.

Update from the GCGCNY COVID-19 Response TeamDownload

Dear brothers and sisters:

Thank you to everyone who completed the survey.  We have updated the latest draft of the GCGCNY Covid-19 Guidelines.  These will be finalized after your feedback from the Town hall Meetings on Oct 3, 2021.

  1. As we look forward to the upcoming planned reopening, it is a time of joy and excitement.  However, it is also a time of remembrance for those of us who have suffered the loss of loved ones during the pandemic.  We ask that everyone continue to extend your care, love and prayer to those around you especially those who have suffered loss.  
  2. We will continue to monitor the course of the pandemic in the GTA closely.  If infection rates start going up, we may halt the re-opening plan or go backwards in the re-opening stages.
  3. We will be monitoring the gradual reopening to evaluate whether it is a fruitful use of our limited resources.  
  4. We are hopeful that the Covid vaccines will be approved for >5 year olds by Oct/Nov and for >6 month olds by Dec/Jan.  With this timeline, everyone should have the opportunity to get fully vaccinated by March/April.
  5. The guidelines below have been revised from the last version that was effective Sept 13, 2020 and will be the defining version after it is finalized after the Town hall Meetings.  

Peace and grace,

GCGCNY Covid-19 Response Team

Draft GCGCNY Covid-19 guidance. Updated Sept 26, 2021

  1. Our General Guiding Principles 
  2. Requirements for coming to the church during any stage
  3. Church Re-opening Stages
  4. Specific guidance for each stage
  1. Our General Guiding Principles 
  1. We will balance government recommendations with an extra margin of safety and caution and the principles and practices of our Christian Faith and our church. 
  2. We will consider all health and occupational safety concerns.
  3. We will work within the law and government guidelines since these so far have not had areas of conflict with our beliefs.
  4. We recognize that our congregations are interconnected as a community of families which has members attending different congregations.
  5. The pastoral team will have input before we finalize any guidelines.
  6. We will take a proactive approach.  We will anticipate future developments rather than only react to present and past developments.
  7. We will be monitoring the course of the pandemic in GTA closely.  If infection rates start going up, we may halt the re-opening plan or go backwards in the re-opening stages.
  8. The Covid-19 Crisis Response Team welcomes everyone’s feedback, comments, suggestions and questions.  We strive to reflect our values of love, faith, hope, unity, truth and transparency in this process and in our decisions and implementation.  Our contact is: admin@gcgcny.org  (416) 499-0111 x 101.
  9. Each lead pastor may decide to implement each stage at a later date than this guidance’s earliest dates in accordance with the needs and resources in each congregation.
  1. Requirements for coming to the church during any stage

To ensure the safety and health of everyone and to follow government guidelines, whenever anyone comes to the church, we require that:

  1. They are not ill (no fever, no chills, no cough, no shortness of breath, no decrease or loss of taste or smell. If <18, no vomiting, nausea or diarrhea.  If >18, no marked tiredness or sore muscles or joints). They have not been told to self-isolate or live with someone who has been told to self-isolate. They should self-check their temperature before leaving their home.
  2. They have not been in contact with anyone with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 in the last 14 days.
  3. They need to show proof that they are at least 2 weeks post their second Covid vaccination.  If not, they need to show proof of a negative Covid test within the last 48 hours.  Each congregation will try to have someone trained and ready to do the 15 minute Rapid Antigen test at least 15 minutes before the start of the worship service at the entrance.  The availability of this testing will depend on available resources.
  4. They maintain physical distancing of at least 2 meters.
  5. They follow frequent meticulous hand washing and hand sanitization.
  6. They wear a face covering.  
  7. They disinfect all equipment after use.  E.g. Microphones, musical instruments, music stands etc.  Disposable microphone covers will be provided.  Disinfectant spray and paper towel will be provided.
  8. Whenever possible, items should not be shared to minimize spread of pathogens through touch.  E.g. sheet music, books etc.
  9. No food or drink are allowed in the gyms and sanctuaries A and B except for a personal container of water (no coffee, tea or other beverages that cause a mess when spilled).
  10. For worship servers on stage, only one is allowed to lead without a mask or face covering behind the Plexiglas barrier.  The Plexiglas must be disinfected between use by different worship servers unless the servers are from the same social bubble. 
  11. The maximum number in a group in a room is the number that permits physical distancing of 2 meters.  
  12. Each person must supply and wear their own face covering.  
  13. They must use only the designated entrances and exits.  They must walk only in the direction of the arrows.
  14. Church attendees must not enter into the Grace Nursery School area since they have re-opened and have to follow strict infection control protocol from the government.
  15. Each attendee will be provided with a pair of gloves and a disposable disinfectant wet wipe OR one sheet of paper towel to disinfect any surface he/she has touches after the end of each meeting.  Spray bottles with disinfectant will be available to spray on the paper towel.  The surfaces will be dampened with the paper towel or wipe and allowed to air dry.  After discarding the gloves and paper towel or wipe, he/she must use hand sanitizer to disinfect his/her hands.
  16. Only designated washrooms will be opened.  There is a limit on the number of persons allowed in the washroom at each time.  
  17. A person using the toilet is to pick up a disposal toilet seat cover before entering the washroom.  The cover is to be flushed down the toilet after use.  Everyone after washroom use must wash his/her hands with soap and water and dry with a paper towel.  The same paper towel must be used to open the washroom door before being discarded in the waste bin outside of each washroom.
  18. Room use must be prebooked with Queenie at admin@gcgcny.org  (416) 499-0111 x 101 at least 1 week in advance. Information needed for booking are the person responsible and his/her contact info, the number of attendees expected and the time slot required.  In booking the room, the person booking the room agrees to bear the responsibility that all government and church guidelines are followed by his/her group.  He/she must have the names and contact information of each person attending and be able to produce this information if requested.  He/she must turn on the air purifiers (if available) in the room before the meeting and turn them off after the meeting.
  19. All children grade 6 and under must stay with their parents unless attending program arranged by KLS Children Ministry.
  20. Families or social bubbles can sit together.
  1. Church Re-opening Stages:
  1. Live steaming at church    NOW
  2. Adult Worship (virtual and in person)       Oct 10 (tentative)
  3. Prayer meeting (virtual and in person)       Oct 24 (tentative)
  4. Cell groups- meeting at church or at home (virtual and in person)    Oct 24 (tentative)
  5. Sunday School (virtual and in person) 
  6. Children activities. (difficult to social distance, keep face covering on, maintain meticulous hand hygiene)
  7. use of the gyms for sports, sharing food & drinks
  8. New normal church function (virtual and/or in person subject to ministry needs)

At present, for our church, we are open for stage 1 of the above with the lead pastors making the decisions for each congregation.

Further re-opening of new stages will be based on the above General Guiding Principles and be subject to available human, organizational, financial, supply and equipment and technological resources.

  1. Specific guidance for each stage

Stage 2 – in-person worship service:

Tentatively reopen starting Oct 10.  

  1. Everyone is to sit on designated seats only.
  2. Pre-registration will be required.  Allocation based on “first come first served” basis and equalizing opportunity for all.

Stage 4 – in-person cell groups:

Tentatively reopen starting Oct 24.  Cells are encouraged to meet at home where no masking or physical distancing is required if everyone is fully vaccinated against Covid.

Refer to the City of Toronto specific guidance for the reopening of churches for more details: 

https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-reopening-recovery-rebuild/covid-19-reopening-guidelines-for-businesses-organizations/covid-19-guidance-faith-based-organizations/

Your continued prayers would be appreciated.

Psalm 91: 1-6 (NIV)

１Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.

If you have any comments, suggestions, feedback or questions, please contact us through admin@gcgcny.org.

Grace and peace,
Covid-19 Response Team

Rev Chan – representing the church staff
Queenie – representing the Cantonese congregation
Edwin – representing the Mandarin congregation
Sylvia – representing the English congregation
Felicity – representing the Children congregation
TK – team lead and representing the church Board of Directors

新冠肺炎應變小組新訊(2021/09/26)

親愛的弟兄姊妹：

多謝大家完成問卷。我們已經完成了疫情指引更新版的稿本，待十月三日的咨詢會後便能議定最後版本。

  1. 懷著喜樂與興奮的心情，我們迎向教會重開。然而，我們也記念那些在疫情中失去摯愛的，鼓勵大家繼續在禱告與愛心行動中去關懷這些人。
  2. 我們將密切留意大多巿疫情發展，若感染數字回升，我們或會停止或降低重開階段。
  3. 我們將留意在逐步重開時資源運用是否合宜。   
  4. 我們期盼五歲以上兒童可於十至十一月期間獲准接種疫苗，六個月以上兒童可於年底或明年一月獲准接種疫苗。若能如此，明年三四月許每一位都有望完成接種疫苗
  5. 下列指引將在咨詢會後作最後修訂，然後取締去年九月十三日的版本。

願恩惠與平安常與眾人同在。

應變小組啟

恩典堂疫情指引修訂初稿2021/09/26

  1. 我們作出指引的原則
  2. 任何階段進入教會的守則
  3. 教會重開的階段
  4. 各階段的相關指引
  1. 我們作出指引的原則
  1. 在政府指引下提高安全措施的同時，應用教會及信心原則，在兩者間要取得平衡。
  2. 關注所有衛生及職場安全要求。
  3. 在不違返信仰原則下，嚴格遵守法例和政府指引。
  4. 明白各堂緊緊相連，因為教會是由群體組成，當中很多家庭的成員分佈在不同堂會。
  5. 應變小組在決定措施之前，會咨詢教牧意見。
  6. 採取主動立場，預先作好安排，避免迫於現在或過去發生了的事而被動應變。
  7. 我們將密切留意大多巿疫情發展，若感染數字回升，我們或會停止或降低重開階段。
  8. 歡迎大家向應變小組提出查詢、意見和回饋。我們盼望在訂定和執行各項措施的過程中，能反映和高舉愛、信心、盼望、合一、合乎真理和高透明度等價值觀。聯絡我們，可電郵admin@gcgcny.org 或致電 (416) 499-0111內線 101。
  9. 因應各堂的資源及需要，堂主任或會延遲該堂在各階段的重開日期。
  1. 任何階段進入教會的守則

為確保各人的健康和安全並遵照政府定出的指引，任何人進入教會時都必須遵守下列守則：　

  1. 沒有不適（沒有發燒、發冷、咳嗽、呼吸困難、嗅覺及味覺減弱或失去等徵狀。若十八歲以下，沒有嘔吐、暈眩、腹瀉等徵狀。十八歲以上沒有無故疲倦、肌肉及關節無故酸痛等徵狀）。沒有被告知需自我隔離，沒有與需自我隔離的人同住。離家出門前要檢查體溫。
  2. 過去十四日內沒有離開加拿大，沒有接觸懷疑或已確診的新冠肺炎患者。
  3. 需提供已接種第二劑疫苗滿十四日的證明，或提供過去48小時內做的呈陰性檢測證明。各堂將培訓人員提供十五分鐘快速檢測，沒前述證明者請在聚會前十五分鐘到場接受快速檢測。此項快速檢測將在資源容許下提供。
  4. 保持不少於兩米的社交距離。
  5. 經常洗手或使用潔手液。
  6. 使用面部防禦用品。
  7. 使用任何器材後要進行消毒，例如：咪、音樂器材、譜架等等。教會將提供用完即棄咪套。
  8. 若許可，不應共用任何物品以避免傳遞時散播病毒，例如：歌紙、書等等。
  9. 不可携帶任何飲品或食品進入運動場、禮堂Ａ及Ｂ，個人水壺除外(只限清水，避免咖啡、茶等各類飲料不慎外漏時弄污場地)。
  10. 崇拜領會的，容許其中一人在台上保護屏障內不配戴口罩或面罩領會，除非隨後領會者屬同一社交圈（social bubble），在其使用後必須進行清潔消毒。
  11. 小組聚會人數按房間可保持兩米社交距離後的容量設限。
  12. 所有人必須自備保護面部防禦用品。
  13. 各人必須按指定的出口和入口來進出教會。在教會內必須按方向指引行走。
  14. 不可進入恩福幼兒園設施範圍，因為幼兒園重開需要遵守政府嚴密的防禦措施要求。
  15. 教會將提供各予會者一對手套及一張抺手紙，或消毒濕抺紙（此紙不需用消毒噴劑），讓大家在聚會結束時把曾接觸的桌椅/物品表面消毒。教會將提供盛消毒劑的噴壺以弄濕抺手紙，用以抺遍所有曾接觸的桌椅/物品表面，讓其自然風乾。棄置手套及抺手紙後，務記使用潔手液消毒雙手。
  16. 教會只開放指定的洗手間。進入洗手間的人數設限。
  17. 有需要者，在進入洗手間前在門口可取即棄的厠板護紙，該護紙在如厠後請棄於厠內沖走。各人如厠後請以梘液洗手並以抺手紙乾手，請保留剛使用完的抺手紙用以開啟洗手間門離開，抺手紙請棄於洗手間外的垃圾箱內。
  18. 使用教會設施必須最遲於聚會前一週向行政幹事高太Queenie預約（可電郵至admin@gcgcny.org或至電  (416) 499-0111 x 101）。預約時必須提供下列資料：聚會負責人名字及聯絡資料、出席人數、聚會時間。預約者必須承諾負責確保予會人士遵守所有指引，並在要求下能提供出席者的聯絡資料。若場地設空氣靜化機時必須聚會前開啟，並於聚會後關閉。
  19. 所有六年級或以下兒童若非參加兒童事工提供的活動，必須由家長陪同。
  20. 家人或同一社交圈的人可同坐。
  1. 教會重開的階段:
  1. 在教會直播崇拜（已容許）
  2. 成人崇拜（現場及網上）（（暫定10月10日開始）
  3. 祈禱會（現場及網上）（暫定10月24日可開始）
  4. 小組聚會在教會或在家進行（現場及網上）（暫定10月24日可開始）
  5. 成人主日學（現場及網上）
  6. 兒童聚會（因難保守社交距離，需載保護面部用品，確保手部清潔衛生）
  7. 使用運動場，可分享飲食
  8. 教會新常態（因應事工需要決定是否網上同時進行）

現時教會只重開第一階段，教牧按各堂自己的情況決定崇拜及祈禱會的安排。

未來各階段的重開將根據第一項所列的指引原則及當時的資源（人力、運作、財務、器材、科技）情況而決定。

  1. 各階段的相關指引

第二階段：崇拜實體聚會

暫定在10月10日開始。

  1. 所有人必須按顏色標記指引坐。
  2. 出席崇拜需預約，配額按先到先得及公平原則。

第四階段：小組實體聚會

暫定10月24日重啟。鼓勵小組在家進行，按政府指引，若參加者皆已完全接種疫苗，則可無需戴口罩或保持社交安全距離。

請參閱多倫多巿政府對教會重開的相關指引：

https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-reopening-recovery-rebuild/covid-19-reopening-guidelines-for-businesses-organizations/covid-19-guidance-faith-based-organizations/

請繼續禱告記念教會及眾人。

詩篇96:1-6

1住在至高者隱密處的，必住在全能者的蔭下。

2我要論到耶和華說：祂是我的避難所，是我的山寨，是我的神，是我所倚靠的。

3祂必救你脫離捕鳥人的網羅和毒害的瘟疫。

4祂必用自己的翎毛遮蔽你；你要投靠在祂的翅膀底下；祂的誠實是大小的盾牌。

5你必不怕黑夜的驚駭，或是白日飛的箭，

6也不怕黑夜行的瘟疫，或是午間滅人的毒病。

如有任何查詢、意見和回饋，請聯絡我們，可電郵admin@gcgcny.org。

願主賜下恩典與平安。

應變小組啟

應變小組成員包括：

黃達琨執事TK (董事會代表及應變小組組長)

陳訓民牧師Fanco (教牧代表)

高譚綺萍姊妹Queenie (粵語事工代表)

葛非執事 Edwin (國語事工代表)

司徒靜姬姊妹 Sylvia (英語事工代表)

陳張筱敏執事 Felicity (兒童事工代表)

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