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About this Update

As all are aware the world is dealing with a serious coronavirus pandemic known as COVID-19.  From the World Health Organization (WHO) to our federal, provincial and local governments, we are being instructed as to how to limit the spread within our communities. 

VAPC is home to many 'communities of care'.  And our mission of 'One in Christ, reaching out to many' means our 'community' extends beyond our doors.  Our compliance with health protocols is critical to keep our 'communities of care' safe and healthy.

We will update this news post with the latest information, procedures, and resources we need to incorporate into the life of our church.  The information below will be presented with most recent first, so you can catch up if you have missed the latest updates.

Friday, March 2

WORSHIP SERVICE READY

  • Click here to go to the YouTube page for the service (the service will start at 10am on Sunday)
  • You can also to the the VAPC YouTube Channel where you will find the service and can set yourself a reminder
  • While you are there you can also subscribe to the channel and you will get ongoing reminders

Wednesday, March 25

RESPONSE WORKING GROUP MEETING

  • The VAPC COVID-19 Response Working Group met again on Wednesday to advance pastoral care initiatives and adopt tools to improve real time coordination and communication

Tuesday, March 24

BIBLE STUDY (RESCHEDULED AND ONLINE)

  • The Bible Study previously scheduled for today was rescheduled to next Tuesday (March 31)
  • Visit the event page (click here) to sign up
  • This meeting will use Google Hangouts for the video conference.  Here is a bit of help if you are new to this service (click here).

THIS SUNDAY'S WORSHIP SERVICE

  • The sermon is written and production is about to begin
  • Subscribe (click here) to VAPC's YouTube Channel to be ready for Sunday morning

Monday, March 23

IMPROVED ONLINE GIVING

  • VAPC.ca website was updated to improve the online giving experience
  • Click 'Giving' in the header of our website and follow the instructions
  • Thank you for your patience and your support

Sunday, March 22

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE

  • VAPC held it's first every online Sunday Worship Service, led by Rev. Peter Coutts from his home where he is self isolated (having travelled recently from the US). Over 67 people and families attended the YouTube service.  If you missed it, don't worry it available anytime.
  • You can click here and it will take you to the YouTube page for the service
  • You can also to the the VAPC YouTube Channel where you will find the service and can set yourself a reminder.  While you are there you can also subscribe to the channel and you will get ongoing reminders.

ONLINE GIVING

  • Online giving is now live using a service called 'tithe.ly' (click the link)
  • You will have to set up an account initially, but once that is done, it is a convenient way to continue to support the church (even if the plate can't be passed)
  • Thank you for your continued support of the church

Friday, March 20

ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE

  • Rev. Peter Coutts has posted this week's online worship service to YouTube and it is scheduled to start at 10:00am this Sunday, March 22.  If you arrive late, don't worry as the service will be available anytime thereafter.
  • You can click here and it will take you to the YouTube page for the service
  • You can also to the the VAPC YouTube Channel where you will find the service and can set yourself a reminder.  While you are there you can also subscribe to the channel and you will get ongoing reminders.

ONLINE NEEDS AND VOLUNTEERS FORMS

  • Even as our social isolation efforts are in effect, we must continue to meet the needs of our congregation
  • We have established online Needs and Volunteers forms that will help us coordinate responses  
  • These will become available online in the next couple days
  • In the interim, please continue to relay 

Thursday, March 19

ONLINE GIVING

  • The Treasurer with support from the Envelope Secretary and the Finance Commitee has established online giving through a service provider 'tithe.ly' (click the link).  This service will help us sustain our giving through this challenging period.  Look for a link on this Sunday's online worship service.
  • For instructions on how to use tithe.ly download the file attached at the bottom of this post.

ONLINE VIDEO CONFERENCE SUPPORT

  • All of the groups within the church have met via video conference to ensure compliance with social distancing directives
  • If you are technically savvy, a 'How To' guide is attached at the bottom of this post, should you wish to know how you might schedule a similar video conference using the Google Hangouts interface
  • There are other services available such as Zoom which the VAPC Youth Group will use to say connected

Wednesday, March 18

ONGOING CALLING

  • Session, supplemented by others, are continuing to call around to their districts members
  • Please convey any needs you might have

Tuesday, March 17

PUBLIC WORSHIP CANCELLED

  • Session decided that all public worship at Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church is suspended until Alberta's Chief Medical Office provides direction that gatherings of 50 or more people is premitted.

DAY-TO-DAY CHURCH OPERATIONS

  • Session decide the following regarding day-to-day church operations:
  • All church staff are asked to work from home
  • The church office can be reached via email (office@vapc.ca)
    • Efforts are being made to forward the office telephone
    • For the time being please try to send an email or ask another person to do so on your behalf
  • The church is closed to all groups (with the exception for now of Alcoholics Anonymous and Gambling Anonymous)
    • For today, these groups must comply to our gathering guidelines (contact cleaning, social distancing, no food or beverage service at gatherings, less than 50 people)
    • We will offer to support via other means - hosting video conferences as an example
    • This approach is subject to change should government directives require new measures or the organizations themselves impose restrictions or suspension of activities

LIFE OF THE CHURCH

  • Meetings continue to happen, but are being held via video conference (Google Hangouts)
  • If you would like to set up a similar meeting for your group send a note to stewardship@vapc.ca
  • Session met to discuss and provide direction regarding public worship, continuity of worship services online, day-to-day church operations and support to our partners
  • The Finance Committee conducted its previously planned meeting via video conference focused on how to facilitate online giving
  • The COVID-19 Response Working Group will meet tonight via video conference focused on pastoral care, congregational support and community support

KEY CONTACTS

We will expand this list in coming days

Monday, March 16

CONTACT CLEANING HELP

  • Each morning a disinfection cleaning of contact surfaces (switches, handles, railings, seat backs, table tops, counter tops, elevator) occurs prior to any use of the facility
    • A roster of volunteers will be trained to carry out this task and document compliance
    • Should you wish to assit with this task, please contact the office (office@vapc.ca).

LIFE OF THE CHURCH

  • Meetings continue to happen, but are being held via video conference (Google Hangouts)
  • If you would like to set up a similar meeting for your group send a note to stewardship@vapc.ca
  • The Stewardship Group conducted its previously planned meeting via video conference focused on support of the congregation and local community

Sunday, March 15

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP - VAPC

  • Worshippers on Sunday morning were greeted warmly but with a reminder to use the hand sanitizer as they came in and an explanation that the pews were bedecked with spring-green ribbon to encourage proper social distancing - seating was available only in every second pew.
  • Geoff Zakaib reviewed the announcements and guided the congregation through the service.
  • Rev. Coutts appeared larger-than-life in video clips on the screen conducting worship in the usual fashion.
  • John Hey read the scripture.
  • The choir were almost in their usual places except for the one meter space between members which they maintained as they sang the anthem.
  • Only collection of the offering and the doxology were omitted from the usual order of service. Two offering plates were at the back of the sanctuary.
  • The after-worship social time was abbreviated; no coffee or tea had been prepared. Those who stayed to chat observed the requested social distancing practice.

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP - EBENEZER KOREAN CHURCH

  • Sanctuary cleaning was undertaken between the VAPC and Ebenezer services
  • Ebenezer Korean conducted its worship service employing social distancing and did not partake in a time for fellowship after their service
  • Ebenezer Korean cleaned the sanctuary after their service.

UPDATED GUIDELINES FROM ALBERTA'S CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

  • At 5pm new guidelines were received from the Government of Alberta (click here)
  • Effective immediately:
    • All daycares, schools and post secondary institutions are now closed indefinitely
    • All places of worship are now being asked to follow the same restrictions being placed on other gatherings in the province

PLANNING AND RESPONSE - A LOOK AHEAD

  • Stewardship meets Monday and will discuss VAPC's coordination and support within the local community
  • Session meets on Tuesday to provide direction on all aspects of the life of our church (worship, pastoral care, etc.)
  • COVID-19 Response Working Group meets on Wednesday to assess all additional steps to advance our mission - 'One in Christ, Reaching out to many'. 

Saturday, March 14

PREPARATION FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP

  • Thanks to our English conversation group and an additional two elders, the Sanctuary was prepared for Sunday:
    • All bibles, psalters and hymnals were removed from the pew racks
    • Pews, window ledges and the like were cleaned.
    • Every second pew was roped off
    • Bulletins were folded.

  • Two sanitization check-lists for volunteers were checked for thoroughness and timing by two elders who performed all duties noted throughout the entire building. The check-lists and sign-up sheet were finalized for Sunday morning posting.

Friday, March 13

PREPAREDNESS WORKING GROUP MEETING

  • On Friday the Preparedness Working Group with representation from all church groups and Ebenezer Korean Church met and incorporated the latest guidance from Alberta's Chief Medical Officer for Sunday worship plans.  
  • Rev. Peter Coutts is sending out a separate, detailed communication address our approach to church life for the time being.
  • Please see below to understand the practices and protocols that are already in place to keep all users safe.

Wednesday, March 11

COORDINATION MEETING

  • On Wednesday a group with representation from the staff, Facilities, Property, Session, Stewardship and Music at Noon met to assess the near term actions and procedures to ensure the facility continues to remain a safe place for staff, partners, visitors and the congregation.

WHAT YOU WILL SEE THE NEXT TIME YOU ENTER THE CHURCH:

  • If Unwell, Do Not Enter Signage on the outside doors stating:
    • "Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church is the home to many communities of care. We will keep our communities safe and healthy with compliance to safe practices."
    • "If you or any member of your family or individuals with whom you have close interaction are not feeling well, please do not enter this facility." (See attached file - VAPC-StopCommunityOfCare.pdf)
  • Hand Washing and Disinfection Signage on the inside doors stating:
    • "Upon entry and exit, please use hand sanitizer. While in the facility ensure correct hand washing procedures are followed after use of the washrooms or when serving others in any capacity."
  • Sink Specific Hand Washing Signage at each bathroom mirror and by each kitchen sink reminding people to wash their hands
  • Additional Hand Sanitizer Stations at each exit

WHAT IS HAPPENING EVERY DAY?

  • Daily 'Contact Cleaning' - Each morning a disinfection cleaning of contact surfaces (switches, handles, railings, seat backs, table tops, counter tops, elevator) will occur prior to any use of the facility
    • A roster of volunteers will be trained to carry out this task and document compliance
    • Should you wish to assit with this task, please contact the office (office@vapc.ca).
  • After Use Cleaning - After each use of the facility the group in question will be asked to carry out a cleaning of the area and furnishings used.
    • Property is providing cleaning kits (instructions, spray bottles, solution, single use clothes and protective single use gloves) to be used in this cleaning action

COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION

  • Facility Partners
    • Every user of our church has a role to play in safeguarding our communities of care
    • Interface will be made with each facility user to communicate their roles and responsibilties 
  • VAPC Hosted Events
    • Any decisions regarding the hosting of Music at Noon scheduled for Friday, March 27 will be made pending guidance from the Government of Alberta (currently being drafted)
    • Discussion regarding other events in the life of our church will explored in an expanded Preparedness meeting on Friday, March 13

USEFUL LINKS

  • Alberta COVID-19 Info for Albertans - click here
  • Presbyterian Church in Canada - Responding to COVID-19 Concerns - click here
  • Hand Washing Video - click here
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