a Mill Church plan for Reopening
The Comeback
Welcome to your sole source of service information for the pandemic era.
All plans are subject to change. Stay light on the feet.
A Phased Plan.
Phase 3b—Online LIVE + Indoor Gatherings
Beginning Sunday, November 15, our Stratford online services will change a bit:
Our online services will occur at the same times as in-person: 8:30 & 10:30 am.
We'll be piping you in, LIVE, to services held at the Mid-Towne Building.
You'll be able to watch at Facebook LIVE, our Mill Church Media YouTube channel, or at themill.online.church. If you're running late, or miss church altogether, view what you missed, at any time, via Facebook or YouTube!
Edgar online services will remain unchanged.
Phase 3—Online + Indoor Gatherings
Beginning Sunday, October 18 & following. All indoor gatherings will be “touch-less.”
Gathering Guidelines
Where & When?
The Mid-Towne Building (Stratford), 6:30 pm Saturdays*, 8:30 & 10:30 am Sundays
Town of Wein Hall (Edgar), 10 am Sundays
Online at themill.online.church, 8:30 & 10 am, 6 pm Sundays
*The Mill will offer a “Small Circle Service” at 6:30 pm on Saturdays October 17 & 24 in Stratford. If you prefer to keep your social circle small for COVID-related reason(s), we’re privileged to provide a safer space for you to worship. No children’s programming will be available on Saturdays. The level of engagement will determine whether this service continues beyond a two-week period.
Distancing
Rows will be spaced apart. If we discover that we cannot accommodate everyone safely, we’ll adjust accordingly between Sundays.
Masks
Please wear a mask out of respect for the safety and concern of your neighbor. Everyone will be treated with dignity and care.
Kids Programming
In Stratford, children’s programming will be available in our Lower Level. In Edgar, a brief children’s message will be shared during the family worship service. Please provide masks for children 5 & up. All children will be treated with dignity and care.
Coffee
While you’re welcome to bring your own, coffee will not be served initially.
Hand-sanitizing Stations
We’ll have dispensers in convenient locations.
Handshaking
Relax. It’s touch-less, remember? Introverts, relish the occasion. :)
Offering
While we will take time in the service for this act of worship, we will simply be encouraging people to participate via themill.church/give. Here, there are a number of ways to participate, including texting, giving online, giving via app, & snail mail. A common offering box will also be available for cash/checks.
Communion
On the first Sunday of each month, disposable communion packets will be offered in a sanitary manner. If choosing to abstain, eye contact with an usher and a gentle shake of the head will suffice.
Symptoms
Please worship online if you can answer “Yes” to any of the following questions:
Am I showing any flu-like symptoms?
Have I had a fever of 100.4 or higher in the past 14 days?
Have I had prolonged exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19?
Is there any medical reason why I believe I shouldn’t be around others?
If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, we strongly encourage you to attend themill.online.church this weekend. All good? See you in-person!
For those who feel safer at home, join us online (see Phase 1, below)!
Phase 2—Online + Outdoor Gatherings
June 7 thru October 11 @ 10 am. All outdoor gatherings will be “touch-less.”
Weather permitting, we’ll announce cancelations by 8am, day-of, via our website.
Edgar - Oak Street Park
Stratford - Klemme Park
What do I need to bring?
Bring your chair
Bring your coffee
Bring yourself (unless, of course, you’re sick)
Gathering Guidelines
The following guidelines will be carefully followed:
Masks
Masks are optional. Everyone will be treated with dignity & care.
Distancing
The 6-ft., social-distancing rule will apply.
Kids
Kids are welcome and will be taught a short, age-appropriate lesson while seated with their parents.
Attending families will sit together, with no physical contact outside of families.
Parents, if attending in-person, please take responsibility for the social-distancing of your own children but refrain from taking responsibility for children belonging to others.
Playground Equipment
Park-area playgrounds may/may not be open to the public.
Please keep your children seated with the family during the service.
While we desire to limit distractions and create an atmosphere of worship, church leadership will not be policing play activity for Mill Church kids and/or others.
Restrooms
Park-area restrooms are open to the public. They will be sanitized by Mill Church volunteers before and after service.
Hand-sanitizing Stations
We’ll have dispensers in convenient locations.
Handshaking
Relax. It’s touch-less, remember? Introverts, relish the occasion.
Chairs
BYO. Enjoy the fresh air!
Coffee
BYO. Sorry! We’re in a pandemic, remember? ;)
Offering
While we will take time in the outdoor service for this act of worship, we will simply be encouraging people to participate via themill.church/give. Here, there are a number of ways to participate, including texting, giving online, giving via app, & snail mail.
Communion
On the first Sunday of each month, outdoors, disposable communion packets will be offered in a sanitary manner (from receipt of shipment to distribution). If choosing to abstain, eye contact with an usher and a gentle shake of the head will suffice.
Lyrics
Song lyrics for outdoor Sundays will be provided online. Access with your smart phone.
Too small to see? Consider a larger device.
Too bright to see? This is the same issue we face with outdoor projection.
Everybody do their best and be gracious if it’s not ideal.
Symptoms
Please don’t visit us in-person if you can answer “Yes” to any of the following questions:
Am I showing any flu-like symptoms?
Have I had a fever of 100.4 or higher in the past 14 days?
Have I had prolonged exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19?
Is there any medical reason why I believe I shouldn’t be around others?
If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, we strongly encourage you to attend themill.online.church this weekend. All good? See you at the park!
For those who prefer to worship earlier in the morning, and for those who feel safer at home, please continue to join us online (see Phase 1)!
Phase 1—Online
Where? … themill.online.church
When? … Each Sunday @ 8:30 Am, 10 Am, & 6 pm
The Mill Church has been and will continue to meet at themill.online.church. A children’s lesson will continue to be provided following each online service. Kids who miss the lesson can catch it, anytime, at themill.church/kids. Join us online!
“Thanks for visiting themill.church/comeback. Let the comeback begin!”