Our goal is to create a safe, welcoming worship experience for all people. As faithful stewards of God’s Word and responsible members of our community, we encourage all members and visitors to adhere to the CDC guidelines regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Each individual has a personal responsibility to act according to the current CDC guidelines and Prince of Peace protocols listed here for the health and safety of all.
CDC GUIDANCE
• Current CDC guidance will be followed for all worship services on the church grounds. Because CDC guidance is ever changing, the most recent CDC guidelines will prevail, despite postings or other protocols at Prince of Peace. CDC guidance as of March 24, 2022:
• The CDC now recommends following protocols based on your community's COVID-19 transmission level, updated weekly on the CDC website:
o LOW: All individuals should stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations. All individuals should get tested if they have symptoms.
o MEDIUM: People may choose to wear a mask at any time. Immunocompromised individuals should consult their physician and take extra precautions to stay safe. All individuals should stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations. All individuals should get tested if they have symptoms.
o HIGH: Wear a mask indoors in public. Immunocompromised and those at high risk should consult their physician and take extra precautions to stay safe. All individuals should stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations. All individuals should get tested if they have symptoms.
• The CDC now has a COVID-19 Calculator available on their website to help individuals who test positive for COVID-19, those who are experiencing symptoms, or those with a known exposure determine the need for quarantine, isolation, and/or further testing. The determination is based on date of exposure, vaccination status, and history of COVID-19. Therefore, recommendations are highly individualized. If you are experiencing symptoms or have an exposure, please use the COVID-19 calculator to determine your need for quarantine or isolation. We also encourage you to contact your health care practitioner for guidance. Additionally, we recommend you not attend the worship service or activities. If you need assistance, please contact the Re-Opening Task Force or the Parish Nurse.
• Important Definitions: Per the CDC, Day 0 is the last day of exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual. The CDC defines close contact as less than 6 feet away from a COVID-19 positive person for a total of 15 minutes in a 24 hour period. This could be exposure to one individual or several over a 24 hour period. • As of 6/14/2022, Northampton County is considered an area of MEDIUM transmission. Individuals may choose to wear a mask at any time. Those with symptoms of COVID, a positive test or known exposure should wear a mask per the recommendations above. Beginning 6/13/2022, this status is updated weekly on Thursdays by 8 pm on the CDC data tracker.
WORSHIP SERVICE
• Worship service is held every Sunday at 9:45 am in person.
• Vaccinated and unvaccinated members/attendees have the option to remain unmasked indoors.
• Social distancing is encouraged for those in high risk categories. • Holy Communion is celebrated weekly, in an altered style using pre-packaged communion cups.
• Again, anyone with the symptoms of COVID, regardless of known or unknown exposure, is encouraged to remain home, self-monitor, and contact their health care provider for guidance on testing and treatment. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19, should isolate at home and contact their healthcare provider. • Every effort is made to record the worship service and share it via YouTube. We feel it is important to offer our members choices that allow them to worship and stay safe. This service will be offered as long as time, technology, and talents allow. Sunday worship is generally available on Mondays before noon.
MEETINGS/OTHER EVENTS/STAFF
• Congregation committees, other groups within the congregation (including our chartered BSA Scout groups), and outside groups may meet in any normal meeting room in the building; there are no scheduling restrictions at this time. Meetings must be scheduled ahead of time with the church office (610-588-2355 or poplcbangor@gmail.com). At the end of the meetings, Groups that meet are responsible to wipe down all surfaces touched, with wipes provided in each room. (Groups may choose to wipe down before meetings as well.)
• We urge any groups that are serving food to follow good safety protocols for preparing and serving. We especially encourage groups to not serve food in a way that many people will touch the same food (such as a bowl of pretzels or chips without a serving utensil).
• Current CDC guidance will be followed by all groups, meetings, and employees on the church grounds. Because CDC guidance is ever changing, the most recent CDC guidelines will prevail, despite postings or other protocols at Prince of Peace.
• All groups, meetings, and employees will follow the above guidance as listed for attending worship services. Please pay close attention to the transmission level and associated guidance listed.
• The Reopening Task Force and/or the Health and Wellness Committee will be responsible to check the CDC guidelines for updates and changes every month. This interval may change as the COVID pandemic continues to evolve and impact our everyday life. For questions about the CDC guidelines, please contact a member of one of the aforementioned committees. To access the most current CDC guidelines, the COVID Data Tracker, and the COVID-19 Calculator, please visit the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html