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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

Update – September 5, 2021
Masks required at all Grace Snellville gatherings

Situation:
Since the beginning of LUG/Kidzlife on Aug 25, 2021, we know of multiple Grace leaders and children/students who have tested positive for COVID-19. With the emergence of the Delta variant and its impact on young people who do not have the option to be vaccinated, we believe reinstating our mask requirement at all age levels indoors is the best course of action.

Factors:
The Delta variant appears to be infecting children under the age of 12 at a higher rate than earlier variants (AAP monthly reports, see also: The Atlantic, 8/10). While most children who contract COVID are at very low risk for serious complications, they are regularly in contact with adults who may be more high-risk.

Though we are aware of some reports to the contrary, our best understanding of the current information is that properly wearing a mask does in fact reduce the risk of transmission, and that this reduced risk is to be prioritized over potential negative physiological effects that may occur in some people from wearing a mask for a limited period of time. (See also: this recent large-scale study of villagers in Bangladesh). Georgia hospitals are at or near capacity with current, critical COVID cases. At times, hospitals are now more full than the former peak caseload in January 2021 (AJC, 8/31)

Our team of frontline Grace Snellville doctors and nurses at this time recommends reinstating our mandatory mask policy.
At Grace Snellville:

• We gather a large number of children and families indoors who do not regularly interact on a day-to-day basis.
• When we lifted our mask mandate earlier in 2021, it was with the understanding that adults could opt to receive the vaccine and/or manage their own risk. Currently, children under the age of 12 lack that option.

Plan going forward (approved by team leads and elders, 9/3):

• Reinstate the mandatory mask policy for all indoor gatherings until COVID infection rates subside to an acceptable level, as determined by the Grace SN Elders and Leadership staff.
• For meal-sharing, we do it outdoors.
• At this time, we are not planning to create policies addressing social-distancing or ticketed gatherings.

Update – May 27, 2021

Masks optional at Grace Snellville

May 27, 2021
Given the current state of the spread of Covid-19 in Gwinnett County, and the recent determination by Gwinnett County to make masks optional in government buildings, masks will be optional for all ages starting May 30 on the Grace Snellville campus and at Grace Snellville events. We strongly encourage Grace members and attendees to take every step they believe would ensure their health and well-being, including the continued wearing of masks should they desire.

We will continue to have hand sanitizer and masks readily available, to follow enhanced cleaning protocols, and to practice social distancing in our larger spaces.

We ask if you are exhibiting any of the Covid-19 symptoms or have been exposed to someone with Covid-19 in the last 14 days that you refrain attending in-person services and events for the recommended period of time.

We honor and thank God for leading us through this challenging season and for continuing to bless our congregation and community.

Below are key links:
1. The official announcement and guidelines for the lifted mask restrictions.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html

2. The latest Executive Order from the State of Georgia as of 4.23.21.
https://gov.georgia.gov/executive-action/executive-orders/2021-executive-orders

3. The latest Gwinnett County Order updating the Mask Policy for Gwinnett County Buildings:
https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/static/departments/boc/pdf/Local%20Emergency%20Order%2021-1-
1%205%2020%2021.pdf

As news progresses, we will keep this page updated.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Executive Pastor, .

Update - March 26, 2021

• Covid-19 Vaccine eligibily expands: Visit this link on gnrhealth.com for details
• Latest Governor Brian Kemp Executive Order (download pdf)
• Flyer from Gwinnett • Newton • Rockdale Health Departments regarding vaccine myths (download pdf)

Resources for finding COVID-19 vaccines - click here to view (pdf document).

Update - May 18, 2020

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has moved the Presidential Preference Primary and the state and local primary to June 9, 2020.

Advance Voting for the June 9 Presidential Preference Primary, General Primary, and Nonpartisan Election will take place from May 18 to June 5 at the Gwinnett Voter Registrations and Elections Beauty P. Baldwin Building and the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds. Click here for more information about advance voting in Gwinnett County.

Helpful links from Gwinnett County regarding Advance and Absentee voting:

Advance voting wait times:
https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/web/gwinnett/departments/elections/waittimes

Official drop boxes available for absentee/advance by mail ballots:
https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/web/gwinnett/home/stories/viewstory/-/story/OfficialDropBoxesforBallots_051520

Absentee Voting by Mail information:
https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/web/gwinnett/departments/elections/absenteevoting-civilians/absenteevotingmail

Update - April 23, 2020: Governor Kemp’s most recent “Reviving a Healthy Georgia” Executive Order

This Executive Order impacts restaurants, education and children, including child care facilities, drivers’ license services, healthcare, industry, commerce, organizations and non-profits, etc.  as well as general provisions related to Social Distancing, Gatherings, the wearing of masks and more.  It also addresses Shelter in Place for those at a higher risk of severe illness.

Download the Executive Order (pdf)

Update - April 21, 2020: Health Department Opens Larger COVID-19 Drive-through
Testing Site for One Day in Gwinnett County

On Wednesday, April 22, Gwinnett, Newton & Rockdale County Health Departments will open a large drive-through COVID-19 test site at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth. Due to increased testing capacity, appointments are now being scheduled for anyone who thinks they may be ill with COVID-19. While the Health Department requires a scheduled appointment to test individuals, referral from a doctor is not necessary. This testing site is currently set to operate for one day; however, the Health Department offers testing at other locations, including at their district office in Lawrenceville, Monday through Saturday. Appointments are required for the Infinite Energy Center testing event and the other sites providing daily tests by calling 770-513-5631.

Download the full press release from Gwinnett County (pdf)

Update - April 3, 2020: Governor Kemp 2020 Shelter in Place Executive Order

Governor Kemp issued a statewide Executive Order that is effective, Friday, April 3, 2020 at 6:00 pm. This Executive Order supersedes and suspends any previous Gwinnett County declarations of emergency including the 16 cities’ declarations of emergency within Gwinnett County.

Let’s help each other by adhering to these very important guidelines. This is our opportunity to be responsible and to help keep our families, neighbors, communities, cities and county safe, whole and healthy.

Governor Kemp 2020 Shelter in Place Executive Order (pdf)

Shelter in Place Information (pdf)

Update - March 31, 2020: Gwinnett Emergency Order Hotline - 770.822.7399

A COVID-19 Gwinnett Emergency Order Hotline call center has been established to take residents’ questions and to report violations related to COVID-19 local emergency orders. The call center number is 770.822.7399 and will be open Monday through Friday, 8:00am–7:00pm. After business hours, we are encouraging reporting through email addresses that were previously established (; ).

Update - March 27, 2020: Gwinnett County and all 16 Gwinnett Cities Issue Stay at Home Orders

(Lawrenceville, Ga., March 27, 2020) – Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlotte Nash and the mayors of the cities in Gwinnett have issued stay at home orders for their respective jurisdictions as a means to protect the health, safety and welfare of Gwinnett County residents. This move is being made in a coordinated fashion in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to preserve the community’s capacity to provide essential governmental and healthcare services. Download the Gwinnett County Government New Release below to read the complete report.

Download the Gwinnett County Government News Release (pdf)

Download the Local Emergency Order No. 1-4 (pdf)

Update - March 13, 2020: Download the Gwinnett County Community Mitigation Strategy (pdf)

Minimal to Moderate Recommendations:

• Implement social distancing measures:
• Reduce activities (e.g., group congregation, religious services), especially for organizations with individuals at increased risk of severe illness.
• Consider offering video/audio of events.
• Determine ways to continue providing support services to individuals at increased risk of severe disease (services, meals, checking in) while limiting group settings and exposures.
• Cancel large gatherings (e.g., >250 people, though threshold is at the discretion of the community) or move to smaller groupings.
• For organizations that serve high-risk populations, cancel gatherings of more than 10 people.

What is coronavirus? Coronavirus is a new respiratory virus that originated in China. The virus is contagious and potentially fatal.  It is suspected that it is transmitted through coughing and sneezing by infected individuals. According to the Centers for Disease Control, coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that are common among animals.  And in rare cases can be transmitted from animals to humans. At the present time, there is no vaccine, cure or specific treatment.

How is coronavirus spread? Health authorities have not confirmed how coronavirus is transmitted but suspect it is spread from person-to-person. There is also evidence that the viruses can spread from human contact with animals. When it comes to human-to-human transmission of the viruses, often it happens when someone comes into contact with an infected person's secretions, such as a cough, sneeze or handshake could cause exposure. The virus can also be transmitted by touching something an infected person has touched and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes. The incubation period, or the time interval from infection to onset of symptoms, is from two to 14 days. During this period, an individual can be infected and spreading the disease, although they may not be experiencing the signs and symptoms of the virus.

How many people survive coronavirus? Currently, coronavirus has a fatality rate of less than 3 percent. As such, the majority of those affected so far have survived the disease.

What are the signs and symptoms of coronavirus? The viruses can make people sick, usually with mild to moderate upper respiratory tract illness, similar to a common cold. Coronavirus symptoms include a runny nose, cough, sore throat, possibly a headache and maybe a fever, which can last for a couple of days.

For those with a weakened immune system, the elderly and the very young, there's a chance the virus could cause a lower, and much more serious, respiratory tract illness like pneumonia or bronchitis.

How can I protect myself? Because there is currently no vaccine to prevent infection, the best way to protect yourself is to avoid exposure. The CDC recommends the following additional steps:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

What happens if I suspect I or someone I know has coronavirus? 
If you exhibit symptoms of coronavirus within two weeks of traveling from China, you should contact a health care professional and mention your recent travel. If you have had close contact with someone exhibiting coronavirus symptoms who has recently traveled from China, you should call ahead to a health care professional and mention your close contact and the person's recent travel. Your health care professional will work with your state's public health department and CDC to determine if you need to be tested for coronavirus.We will continue to follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), CDC's website and will update you as changes occur.  We are also monitoring our mission trips to determine the appropriate action to take based on the most current recommendations and information from the CDC.

In the meantime, please protect yourself by following the above recommendations. For your convenience, you will find hand sanitizers in various locations throughout the church.  Also, you should purchase individual hand sanitizers and disinfectants.

What precautions are being taken at Grace Snellville?

• Actively monitoring our short and long-term mission trips for the safety of our students
• Additional hand sanitizer placed around our church campus
• Increased the frequency of cleaning around the church
• Children’s areas and check-in stations are sanitized several times a week with eco-friendly disinfectant
• Whip Cream and Cinnamon at coffee stations removed. Only individual packets of creamers and sugars are available
• Considering ordering prepackaged communion sets
• Connecting with Gwinnett County government for additional information in our area
• Alternative methods for meet and greet
• Handouts from the CDC and Gwinnett county are located in our lobby

Questions or concerns? If you’d like to share your thoughts, concerns, questions, or ideas with us as we navigate our response to this situation, we’d love to hear from you. Your input and feedback are truly important to us. Please contact one of the Elders or the Executive Pastor,  with any questions or comments.

While we cannot control the virus, spread, or the impact it has on our church, we’re doing everything we can to make this campus as safe and clean as possible. We appreciate your cooperation and commitment to help us do just that. We must also remember that God has not called us to live in fear, but in faith. As the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For the Spirit of God does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” My prayer is that God will fill us all with these three gifts, no matter what comes our way.

Grace Snellville Crisis Management, Elder Board and Leadership Team