May 18, 2020
Dear Congaree Family,
During the past nine weeks since we last gathered in person on March 15, we have been consistently grateful to join you in worshiping, giving and praying together via our live stream worship services and devotional moments. We are so thankful for God’s provision and care during this time as the Holy Spirit has walked before us and beside us through these uncharted waters. However, like you, we have eagerly anticipated the time we can safely gather again to worship together in one place!
Our pastor and deacons have been carefully praying about our journey forward as we consider guidelines from the CDC and DHEC, and we believe it is time for us to move into Phase 1 of our CBC reopening plan. During this phase, we will reopen for a limited capacity in-person worship service for those of you who are ready to return to in-person worship. We understand that many of you may decide that you and your family should continue to worship from home for a bit longer, and we want to support you in that decision by continuing to stream our service each Sunday morning to meet you and your family's needs.
Beginning Sunday, May 24, 2020, we will gather for one service at 10:30am, following the guidelines outlined below.
During our services, seats will be limited in order to allow for social distancing while worshiping. If there is not enough space available in our sanctuary, we will offer limited overflow seating in the gymnasium.
During Phase 1, this will be for the service only. At this point, all other in-person activities will not resume.
We want to do our part to make sure you are safe, so you will notice some new traffic patterns as you enter and exit the sanctuary. All worshipers will be asked to enter the sanctuary through the front doors closest to Pine Ridge Drive. Additionally, it will be critical that all family members who plan to sit together enter at the same time as you will be escorted to a designated seat together. At the end of the service, please plan to remain seated until an usher indicates it is time for your pew to exit the sanctuary.
You will notice some additional precautions we are taking during this time, as well. For example, you will see that the hymnals have been temporarily removed from the sanctuary and replaced by song sheets on each pew that will be discarded at the end of each service. Additionally, our restrooms will be closed, except in the case of emergency.
We would also ask everyone who plans to attend to consider the following:
1) Be convinced in your own mind whether God would have you return this week or not (Romans 14:5).
2) Whatever your opinion of what you or others should do, commit to “humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2-3).
3) If you are in an at-risk demographic, or live with someone who is, we strongly encourage you to wait a little longer before rejoining us for in-person worship.
4) Stay home if you currently, or in the last 14 days, have had flu like symptoms or been in contact with anyone who has or may have COVID19.
5) Stay home if you have been sick or had fever over 100 degrees in the past 72 hours.
6) We strongly encourage wearing a mask the entire time you are on campus, including during worship.
7) Maintain a 6ft distance from others while seated or standing.
8) Because of the increased danger associated with singing in enclosed spaces, please consider keeping your mask on while singing or sing to the Lord with your heart (Ephesians 5:19).
9) Parents may want to consider bringing a coloring book, notebook or small toy for your child during the service, as our children’s building will remain closed.
Thank you for being a part of the ministry and calling of Congaree Baptist Church during this time. Though the season has and will continue to be difficult for so many, you have loved and served with so much grace! God is good, all the time!
Blessings!
Pastor Jerry Freeman and the CBC Deacons
COVID-19 UPDATE
This week, President Trump extended the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidelines to April 30, 2020. What this means for us:
We will continue to practice social distancing to protect ourselves and each other from potentially contracting this virus. All "in-person" gatherings will continue to be cancelled through the end of April. We will continue to offer Sunday morning wroship through Facebook Live. *See below for instructions to follow the stream on Facebook Live. We will continue to keep you informed via the Phone Tree, the website, and the Congaree Baptist Church Facebook page.
If you have a Facebook account, the easiest way to access our service will be to “like” our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/CBC29172/.
Just prior to the 10:30 service, click on the Facebook page and you’ll see the option to watch a Facebook Live video by Congaree Baptist Church.
If you don’t have a Facebook account, you can still join us!
Click on this link: https://www.facebook.com/CBC29172/.
Once you’re on the CBC page, Facebook will prompt you to either “log in” or “create new account.” If you look closely, you will also see a “Not Now” option in small letters. Click on “Not Now'' and you should be able to view our posts and the live worship video.
If you need help accessing our service this way, please reach out to another church member who can help walk you through the process or call our office from 9:00-2:00 on Monday-Friday so that we can help you get set up!
COVID-19 UPDATE, MARCH 17, 2020
On Sunday, March 15, the governor called for all schools in South Carolina to close until March 31. He recommended that any gatherings of over 100 to not meet for the next couple of weeks. In the interest of protecting you from possible exposure to COVID-19, WE WILL NOT gather for worship in the church sanctuary on Sunday mornings through the end of the month. WE WILL NOT gather for Sunday evening programming or for Wednesday evening programming through March 31.
We will, however, offer worship on-line on our Facebook page through Facebook Live.
If you have a Facebook account, the easiest way to access our service will be to “like” our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/CBC29172/.
Just prior to the 10:30 service, click on the Facebook page and you’ll see the option to watch a Facebook Live video by Congaree Baptist Church.
If you don’t have a Facebook account, you can still join us!
Click on this link: https://www.facebook.com/CBC29172/.
Once you’re on the CBC page, Facebook will prompt you to either “log in” or “create new account.” If you look closely, you will also see a “Not Now” option in small letters. Click on “Not Now'' and you should be able to view our posts and the live worship video.
If you need help accessing our service this way, please reach out to another church member who can help walk you through the process or call our office from 9:00-2:00 on Monday-Friday so that we can help you get set up!