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As we prepare for the Grace Snellville 2020 fall season, we find ourselves in an ever-changing dynamic from week to week. With the advisory insights of our Leadership Staff, COVID-19 Health and Safety team, and our Elder Board, we have sought to create a plan that takes into consideration our mission as a worshiping and discipling community, public safety, and the realities of our resources. In the FAQ, you will find direction to how we will worship and utilize our facilities in the months ahead.This includes our Main Campus, our Treehouse and Learning Cottages, the D-House, the 1123 House, and Grace Village in Clarkston.

When will we have indoor worship services at Grace Snellville?
Currently we are worshiping online in Watch Parties and on our front lawn at Grace Snellville each Sunday at 9 am, weather permitting. As we continue to track with the public school system, we plan to maintain this rhythm of Sunday worship online and outside through Sunday, October 18th. As we get closer to this date, we will monitor the COVID-19 situation and make appropriate health and safety decisions for the remainder of our fall season.

What’s happening to our auditorium that will prevent us from worshipping inside?
There are several reasons for not allowing worship in our auditorium:

1. Due to the current guidelines promoted and recommended by the CDC, the State of Georgia, Gwinnett County Health Department, our COVID-19 Health and Safety team and the approval of our Elder Board, we simply cannot accommodate enough people inside our auditorium. Meeting outside allows us to maximize the number of people we can serve and reach during our worship services on Sunday mornings. We are allowing small groups to meet indoors and outdoors at this time.
2. We will continue to promote and support our watch parties in our neighborhoods for those member who may not feel comfortable attending in person or whose health may be compromised.
3. Worshipping outside also serves as an active witnessing event for those driving or walking by since we are in an amazing exposed area. We have seen several cars stop and inquire while we are outside.

What happens when it rains?
We will make the decision as early as possible to cancel our services outside and communicate through our social media and email channels to let everyone know. Watch parties and on-line services will still be available so that we continue to have worship services each Sunday regardless of weather.

What’s happening with the Grace Learning Center (GLC)?
We believe Gwinnett County teaching virtually for the fall presents a wonderful opportunity for us to be a great community partner for our educational institutions–serving our administrators, teachers, parents, and students. So we will be opening up the Grace Learning Center to intilize our facilities daily to serve our community while at the same time observing all of the safety and health guidelines. This is a missional opportunity to equip each other to follow Jesus well into the Neighborhoods and Next Generation.

How will Grace Adult Ministry operate in the fall?
Grace Adult Ministry will offer Grace Groups consisting of classes, communities and care groups beginning September 7th. These will be offered either online or in person at different locations on campus or in neighborhood homes.

What will be happening with our Student Ministries?
Our student ministries have been working throughout the summer to offer our students safe environments to gather for the fall.

True North will start having services outside at the D-House on Sunday mornings at 9am beginning August 9th. True Ninth will begin teaching and discipling on Wednesday nights at the D-House from 6pm-7:30pm. beginning September 9th. If we must meet inside due to inclement weather, the students and facilitators will be required to wear masks, and to wash and sanitize their hands.

LUG AM will start having services outside on the back patio behind the Middle School Room on Sunday mornings at 9am beginning August 9th. LUG LIVE will begin teaching and discipling on Wednesday nights on the back patio behind the Middle School Room from 6pm-7:30pm beginning September 9th. If they must meet in the Middle School Room due to inclement weather, the students and facilitators will be required to wear masks, and to wash and sanitize their hands.

Gracekidz has been meeting inside on Sunday mornings since we started having services outside. They are following all of the appropriate safety and health guidelines recommended by the CDC, Gwinnett County Health Department, the State of Georgia, Our COVID-19 Health and Safety Team as well as our Elder Board.

Kidzlife on will meet on Wednesday nights inside our building from 6pm-7:30pm beginning September 9th, with all the safety and health restrictions in place. Children will remain with their huddle groups the entire time as well.

How often are we cleaning and sanitizing our facilities indoors?
All of our facilities are cleaned daily and sometimes multiple times due to the number of children or small events we have inside. We have stocked all the appropriate supplies for sanitizing and cleaning our facilities. We have additional masks, sanitizer, cleaning supplies in all our facilities. When we start having our fall Season activities, we are looking to ramp up our facilities staff to ensure that our spaces are cleaned regularly and consistently.

What’s happening in our Main Auditorium?
We have made a significant financial investment to upgrade and enhance our production equipment in our auditorium which includes a new stage, sound booth, new projectors, electrical reconfigurations, and new screens. As the enhancements are being made, we will have to creatively navigate our small gatherings into other spaces across our campus facility over the next 3-4 months.

What are our current COVID-19 Guidelines for groups to meet at our facilities?
Please click the link below for the most current guidelines.

What are our procedures if someone tests positive for COVID-19?
If someone tests positive for COVID-19, their group leader or administrator should be notified immediately.
Others in the group will be notified that someone in their group has tested positive or been exposed.
A 10-day quarantine will be required, and a person testing positive or exposed must be symptom-free for
48 hours before returning. If a person tests negative for COVID-19, then they may return after being
symptom free for 24 hours.

Related Info:
Grace Snellville COVID 19 Guidelines

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Due to the current COVID-19 situation and with our utmost priority being the health and safety of our congregation and community, please find below the guidelines that we ask you to honor as it pertains to occupying the Grace Snellville facilities.

In forming these guidelines, the elders have taken into consideration the latest recommendations from the CDC and Gwinnett County Health Department. Additionally, we have taken into consideration the recommendations from the COVID-19 Advisory Team, consisting of medical professionals from Grace Snellville who have looked at the specific needs of our church. We continue to pay close attention to the situation and the recommendations of these groups. We will continue to update these guidelines as needed. Our ultimate goal is to follow Jesus well both in the way we steward community gatherings and the potential health risks associated with those gatherings.

The facilities referred to in this document include our Snellville main campus, the Treehouse and Learning Cottages, the D-House, the 1123 House, and Grace Village in Clarkston.

By agreeing to meet at the Grace Snellville and Clarkston facilities, you are agreeing to keep the guidelines below. Our expectation is that the group leader or key contact person reserving the space will carry the responsibility to communicate and enforce these guidelines while on campus.

Grace Snellville Guidelines:

• No more than 50 people allowed in inside areas in any of the facilities.
• Social Distancing (6 feet apart) should be practiced at all times, both indoors and outdoors.
• As you gather, the group leader/key contact should communicate these guidelines about gathering at the facility and remind the group that if anyone is experiencing symptoms (cough, fever, nausea, etc.) he/she will remove himself/herself from the gathering.
• Each person should wash their hands upon entering the event and before leaving the event.
• Each person should also use hand sanitizer after washing hands.
• Everyone should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing . Used tissues should be thrown in the trash and hands washed immediately with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Attendees should wash hands often and cover coughs and sneezes.
• Even though attendees regularly and naturally want to exchange handshakes, fist bumps, and high-five greetings, these actions are discouraged during the event.

Face Coverings:

• For meetings indoors, face coverings are required for groups of any size (including fewer than 50 people) even if social distancing is possible.
• For outdoor meetings, it is highly recommended that cloth face coverings should be worn at all times. Cloth face coverings are most essential in times when physical distancing is difficult (e.g., when moving within a crowd or audience).
• Cloth face coverings should not be placed on:
  – Babies or children younger than 2 years old
  – Anyone who has trouble breathing
  – Anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face covering without assistance
• Though Grace Snellville will work to make disposable face coverings available in our various spaces, attendees should bring and use cloth face coverings at the event.
• We understand that not all people agree with the current consensus that face coverings limit the spread of COVID-19 to some degree, but at Grace Snellville we believe wearing a mask is a way to demonstrate love for our neighbor and care for those in our community who may be compromised or at increased risk. The primary goal of the mask is not so much to protect the wearer, but rather to prevent the infection from spreading from ourselves to others. Cloth face coverings are not surgical masks or respirators. They are not personal protective equipment.
• Cloth face coverings are required in settings where individuals might raise their voice (e.g. shouting, chanting, singing).

Food and Drinks:

• Drinking fountains will not be available at our facilities.
• Attendees should use disposable food service items including utensils and dishes. If disposable items are not feasible or desirable, ensure that all non-disposable food service items are handled with gloves and washed with dish soap and hot water or in a dishwasher.
• Avoid offering any self-serve food or drink options, such as buffets, salad bars, and drink stations. Pre-packaged boxes or bags should be provided for each attendee.
• Attendees should not be sharing items that are difficult to clean, sanitize, or disinfect.

The risk of COVID-19 spreading at events and gatherings increases as follows:

Lowest risk: Virtual-only activities, events, and gatherings.

More risk: Smaller outdoor and in-person gatherings in which individuals from different households remain spaced at least 6 feet apart, wear cloth face coverings, do not share objects, and come from the same local area (e.g., community, town, city, or county).

Higher risk: Medium-sized in-person gatherings that are adapted to allow individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and with attendees coming from outside the local area.

Highest risk: Large in-person gatherings where it is difficult for individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and attendees travel from outside the local area.

Emergency assistance available to seniors:
Emergency assistance for seniors is available for those who are over 60. If you or someone you know is over 60 and facing hunger, health, or mobility issues, please call 678.377.4150 to speak with Gwinnett County Senior Services staff.

References:
State of Georgia Executive Orders
CDC Faith-based Community Guidelines

For additional clarification or information, please contact the Grace Snellville Executive Pastor, Carlos Green: .

Sincerely,
Grace Snellville Elder Board