Updated Recommendations from the Re-Opening Committee
Feb. 24, 2022

Representatives of the Re-opening Committee and session met on Thursday, February 24th to review and act on the recommended changes to our health policies. The Re-opening Team had reviewed infection rates, hospital capacity, and federal, state, and county health authority recommendations and metrics as well as the action of the Governor easing the mask mandate on Monday, March 7th. As the infection rate from the Omicron variant continues to decline, the Session has taken the following actions:
  • Since the research shows that Covid-19 is a respiratory virus and (largely) not spread through contact with surfaces, as of March 1st, the congregation will return to passing pew pads.
  • As of March 1st, Masking in Worship, Sunday school, and meetings is encouraged, but not mandatory.
  • Because Children under the age of five do not have the opportunity to have a vaccine, we encourage masking in children two to five years old, but masking will be mandatory for adult volunteers and staff working with them in the nursery and in Sunday School.
  • Because we know that singing aerosolizes particles, and that the infection rate in Forsyth County is still in the red zone which indicates a high level of community transmission, the session asks that the congregation continue to wear their masks in worship when they sing. After March 13th, the Re-opening team and Session project that wearing masks for singing in worship will no longer be necessary. The Re-opening team should have enough data to assess if infection rates are going down in the community or if there is another variant on the horizon, after that date.
  • Until that date (March 13th), the Re-opening team and Session encourage the choir to wear masks while singing.
Clemmons Presbyterian Church will continue to offer a virtual worship format for those of us who are more comfortable worshiping at home, have preexisting health conditions, have compromised immunity, or are traveling. In lieu of passing Communion trays, Communion will continue to be received with tongs that deliver single serving pieces of bread and cups of grape juice. With warmer temperatures on the horizon, Fellowship gatherings that include food and drink, can hopefully be moved outside, but the congregation can engage in indoor gatherings with discretion.
The Re-opening committee would like to encourage the congregation to continue mitigating efforts such washing your hands frequently and observing social distance in crowded areas. The Re-opening Committee and Session also reserves the right to re-visit these recommendations and review them in the event that there is a spike in infection rates or another variant should arise in the future. If you have any questions about these recommendations, please feel free to contact a re-opening committee member or an elder on session.