REGARDING OUR PRESENT PROTOCOLS
The Open Texas checklists that have provided guidance related to the governor’s Executive Orders have all been revised. The current updates still have the seating restrictions that we have been operating under since last May. For the time being, we will continue to seat using every other row. While the governor lifted the mask mandate for all businesses as of yesterday, his updated guidelines strongly encourage the use of masks in the case of people not maintaining six feet of social distancing.
Our leadership desires for The Branch to be a place right now where people can visit with one another and pray for one another in a way that honors the vulnerability and susceptibility of others to the virus. Because such interactions often involve being less than six feet apart, our leadership believes the wise and loving thing to do is to leave our present protocols concerning masks unchanged this time when we are gathered for services.
This is due to the fact that there are large numbers of people in, out, and around our facilities in these times, as well as crossing paths with one another. By way of reminder, we are asking that folks use masks or facial coverings when entering/exiting services, moving throughout our facilities, and interacting with others. It is fine to take them off once seated for service.
How long do we expect it to be this way in regard to masks? Quite honestly, we are taking it week to week. There are several things we are taking into account: recommendations and guidelines of the Texas Department of State Health Services, what school districts are doing, the ready availability of vaccines for the general public in our area, etc. We are very encouraged by the progress being made with vaccine availability, and we are aware that many people have already had the virus, are getting the vaccine, or both. Our leadership is weighing all of these things on an almost weekly basis.
We see a light at the end of this tunnel. We are walking towards it. I tend to think that our present protocols are an expression of walking towards the light as we do our part to continue to build a momentum of progress in the battle with this virus.
There is a wide spectrum of opinions within our church on a variety of matters related to COVID, our response, and protocols. On behalf of The Branch’s leadership, I’m deeply appreciative of your patience and prayers over the last year as we’ve sought to navigate all of this in faith, hope, and love. My prayer during this time continues to be that of Paul in Philippians 1:9-10.
And thanks for enduring through the end of this post!
Grace and Peace,
Chris
Our leadership desires for The Branch to be a place right now where people can visit with one another and pray for one another in a way that honors the vulnerability and susceptibility of others to the virus. Because such interactions often involve being less than six feet apart, our leadership believes the wise and loving thing to do is to leave our present protocols concerning masks unchanged this time when we are gathered for services.
This is due to the fact that there are large numbers of people in, out, and around our facilities in these times, as well as crossing paths with one another. By way of reminder, we are asking that folks use masks or facial coverings when entering/exiting services, moving throughout our facilities, and interacting with others. It is fine to take them off once seated for service.
How long do we expect it to be this way in regard to masks? Quite honestly, we are taking it week to week. There are several things we are taking into account: recommendations and guidelines of the Texas Department of State Health Services, what school districts are doing, the ready availability of vaccines for the general public in our area, etc. We are very encouraged by the progress being made with vaccine availability, and we are aware that many people have already had the virus, are getting the vaccine, or both. Our leadership is weighing all of these things on an almost weekly basis.
We see a light at the end of this tunnel. We are walking towards it. I tend to think that our present protocols are an expression of walking towards the light as we do our part to continue to build a momentum of progress in the battle with this virus.
There is a wide spectrum of opinions within our church on a variety of matters related to COVID, our response, and protocols. On behalf of The Branch’s leadership, I’m deeply appreciative of your patience and prayers over the last year as we’ve sought to navigate all of this in faith, hope, and love. My prayer during this time continues to be that of Paul in Philippians 1:9-10.
And thanks for enduring through the end of this post!
Grace and Peace,
Chris
Posted in Chris Seidman Weekly Update