DUFF STREET UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Hope Grows Here

400 Duff Avenue duffstreet@gmail.com

Clarksburg, West Virginia 26301 www.duffstreetchurch.org
(304) 624-7951

Restarting In-Person Services and Activities

PHASE 0. This phase is where we currently are. Harrison County remains a “hot spot” for COVID-19.
Until this designation is lifted, there’ll be no in-person services of worship or activities. Instead, these
will be offered on-line using YouTube and Facebook Live.

The Church Office remains open, Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The Duff Street-
Stealey Food Pantry is an essential service and will be open on Tuesdays. Social distancing and other
precautions will be in effect for the safety of families and volunteers.

PHASE 1. When the restriction of no more than five people is lifted and is readjusted to at least
allowing groups of 10 people, then services of worship will be offered by live stream on the church’s
YouTube channel. Other activities will remain on-line.

PHASE 2. When the Governor’s Office provides rules for groups of 100 people, then in-person worship
and activities will begin, using the following expectations:
• Two services of worship will be offered: 8:45 AM and 11:00 AM. Since the novel coronavirus
disproportionately affects senior citizens, those aged 60 and over will be encouraged to attend
the first service, which allows them to be in a setting that’s been sanitized, but unused.
• Social distancing will be observed by maintaining 6-feet between people. Only 40 people plus
the worship team will be allowed in the sanctuary, and the seats will be available on a first-to-
arrive basis. An additional 50-60 seats will be available in the gym, where attendees can
participate in the service of worship via live stream. Ushers will be stationed at entrances to
count the number of attendees.
• Those who are ill or who have compromised immune systems will be encouraged to stay home
and participate in services of worship via live stream.
• The church van will not be used to pick-up attendees since social distancing is impossible.
• Attendees and the worship team will be strongly encouraged to wear face masks and to refrain
from touching their faces. Face masks will be provided for those without them.
• The nursery will not be available until school starts, as per the West Virginia Conference Re-
Launch Guidelines.
• Children and infants being baptized will remain in their parents’ arms. Youth being baptized
may have their parents at the baptismal font. Adults being baptized may have an immediate
family member at the baptismal font.

LOVE GOD | LOVE OTHERS | SERVE THE WORLD

 • The observance of the Lord’s Supper will be suspended until guidelines are made available by the
West Virginia Annual Conference.
• No coffee or other refreshments will be served in the Gathering Area to reduce socialization.
• Food service will remain suspended throughout Phase 2.
• Attendees will enter the sanctuary and multi-ministries buildings through the main doors.
Doors to the buildings and to the sanctuary and gym will be propped open to minimize touching
handles.
• In the sanctuary building, attendees will be dismissed by rows and will exit the sanctuary by the
side doors and will be directed out the doors to the alley and main parking lots. In the multi-
ministries building, attendees will be dismissed by rows and will exit the gym through the gray
doors that discharge onto Baker Avenue.
• Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the sanctuary and multi-ministries buildings.
• Greeters will greet attendees only, but they’ll not shake hands or pass out any information.
• There’ll be no pastoral greeting time after services of worship.
• Offering plates will be placed at the doors of the sanctuary and gym and will be monitored by
ushers.
• Counters will use Classroom 1 to count the morning’s offering. They’ll practice social distancing
and wear gloves.
• As per the West Virginia Conference Re-Launch Guidelines, there’ll be no congregational singing
or singing by groups, such as, the Chancel Choir or Voices in Praise. A soloist may offer Special
Music. Followers of Faith can present, but only with one singer, and using social distancing.
• Following each service of worship, the sanctuary, gym, bathrooms, and other areas will be
sanitized. The custodian and volunteers will sanitize these areas.
• Bible study, prayer groups, and adult Sunday school can meet in-person with social distancing
and are responsible for sanitizing the areas they use.
• Children and youth activities will remain on-line. The movement to in-person activities during
Phase 2 will be in consultation with the Director of Children and Youth Ministries, parents, and
the Pastor.
• If an attendee tests positive for the novel coronavirus, then all in-person services and activities
will be halted. This information will be communicated to the congregation through all means,
such as, phone, text, e-mail, and social media.

PHASE 3. When the Governor’s Office lifts restrictions, then in-person services of worship and
activities will resume as normal.

Please keep in mind that our situation remains fluid. Therefore, certain expectations in Phase 2 may be
relaxed or strengthened as time progresses. A decision to relax expectations will be made in
consultation with the Church Council and the Pastor.

Anyone with questions can contact Pastor Mark by phone at (304) 624-7951, by text at (304) 380-2002,
by e-mail at rev.markesmith@gmail.com, and by Facebook Messenger. You may also contact the
Church Office by phone at (304) 624-7951 or by e-mail at duffstreet@gmail.com.