Based on the recommendations of the Reopening Task Force, we resumed on-campus worship on Palm Sunday, March 28. We will continue to live-stream our worship services so you can continue to worship with us online. Here are some things you need to know about our on-campus worship:
Safety Protocols
- Everyone will be required to wear a mask at all times both indoors or outdoors on-campus unless eating or drinking. Weekly refreshments will not be served.
- Social distancing of 6 feet will be practiced.
- Hand sanitizer will be widely available.
- Due to the abundance of research on singing as a “super-spreading behavior”, we ask you to not sing in worship. We invite you to worship through music by meditating on the words of the songs in a worshipful way, or you may whisper or hum under your mask, but we ask that you please do not sing.
- Worshippers will check in at an outdoor registration table in the Sanctuary courtyard and will enter only through the front doors of the Sanctuary. Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the service so you have time to check in and be seated.
- Handicapped access will be available through the front side gate between the Fellowship Hall and Epworth Hall after checking in.
- Please do not park in the back parking lot - entrance to the sanctuary will not be available through the back door of Epworth.
- Worshippers will be seated by ushers before the service and dismissed by row following the service.
Volunteers
- 10 persons at MINIMUM are needed to serve in the following positions in order to implement safety protocols: opener (1), check-in table host (2), greeter (1), lead usher (1), ushers (3), and closer (2)
- Please use the button below for a description of what each position entails and to sign up.
- If you sign up to volunteer, you will not need to register for worship that Sunday.
Sunday School and Nursey
There will not be on-campus Sunday School for any age group at this time, however, a nursery will be available for infants-5 years during worship. Haley Gonzalez will serve as our paid nursery attendant and will be accompanied by one volunteer.
Worship Registration- We will hold only a single service each Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
- Registration for worship is required and our capacity is limited for social distancing. Registration is also necessary for contact tracing.
- If all available spaces are not filled during registration, then those who come without registering will be offered seating.
If you can’t register online, you can call the Church Office at 352-372-8523 and leave a message with your name, phone number, and number of people attending. You must call no later than Thursday at 5:00 p.m. before the Sunday worship service you’d like to attend. You will receive a return confirmation call.
As always, if you have any questions or comments, please contact the church by email at contact@fumcgnv.org
or leave a message at 352-372-8523!
As always, if you have any questions or comments, please contact the church by email at contact@fumcgnv.org
or leave a message at 352-372-8523!
CHURCH OFFICE
FUMPERS PRESCHOOL
GIVING
The church office will remain closed but as soon as COVID-19 safety protocols permit, our new Office Hours to serve the public will be Mondays through Thursdays, 10 am to 2 pm. The staff are continuing in their regular duties both on site and while working from home.
Donations for Helping Hands Clinic or Holiday Marketplace can be dropped off at the church Tuesdays, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. and Thursdays, 10 a.m. - Noon. Members and friends can access campus other times via the side door of Bell Hall (ring doorbell during times when staff are present), or by special arrangement by calling the church office.
FUMPERS PRESCHOOL
FUMPers reopened on Monday, March 28, 2020 to support those enrolled children whose parents are deemed essential according to Alachua County Emergency Order 2020-09. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Lorin Winters at lorin@fumcgnv.org.
GIVING
First UMC needs your support for our continuing missions, ministries, and staff. We still need to pay to maintain our facilities and the salaries of the church staff during these times. Financial giving can be done easily online via our web site at www.fumcgnv.com/give, or through the First UMC mobile app. You may also want to consider signing up for automated giving of your tithe/offering! If you need assistance with setting this up, please call the church office at 352-372-8523 or by contacting Linda Madden at linda@fumcgnv.org.
Virus Prevention
The virus appears to spread primarily through respiratory drops. According to the World Health Organization, in order to minimize the chance of infection from the coronavirus:
- Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth whenever you are out in public or any area where you cannot social distance.
- Practice social distancing by avoiding crowds as much as possible and keeping at least 6 feet from others.
- If you are sneezing or coughing without a mask, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, or, if you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into the crook of your arm.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, or, if your hands are not visibly dirty, apply an alcohol-based (minimum 60% alcohol) hand sanitizer to your hands and allow them to air dry.
- Refrain from touching your face with your hands to avoid transferring viruses to your eyes, nose, or mouth.
IF YOU ARE NOT FEELING WELL…
- First, remember that you are precious and beloved, and we want to make sure you are okay! Seek medical attention as needed and take care of yourself!
- Second, let the church know that you are ill, so that we can be praying for you. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help you.
- Third, stay home as you care for yourself. Your health is far more important than any program, project, meeting, or service! Don’t worry, we’ll be here when you’re feeling better!