COVID-19 Protocols for in-person worship

UPDATED August 21

We’re encouraging everyone to follow Philadelphia’s guidelines during the worship service starting Sunday, August 22nd.

UPDATED JULY 11

As stated previously, we have done our best over the pandemic to follow the mandates set out by our local and state governing authorities where we can. With the lifting of restrictions in both Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, masks are optional while in our worship and LibertiKids spaces starting Sunday, July 11th.

UPDATED JUNE 1

We have done our best over the pandemic to follow the mandates set out by our local and state governing authorities where we can. Keeping in line with this, the leaders of our church have decided that we will be consistent with the Pennsylvania mask mandate starting Sunday, June 6th while in our worship space. As PA changes, so we will. For now, changes to our protocols will be as follows:

  • Please follow the Pennsylvania mask guidance when in our worship space; masks required in public places around KleinLife

  • Attendees no longer required to check-in

  • Color-coded wristbands no longer needed

  • Coffee and tea will be provided

  • Overflow room in room 120 provided until end of June.

  • LibertiKids: volunteers will be required to wear masks and maintain other protocols. Children 5 and up are asked to wear masks, except when seated.

UPDATED MAY 1

  • Doors open 10 minutes before each service

  • Masks are required to be worn during the service for ages 5 and up (3-4 year olds, strongly encouraged)

  • LibertiKids (up to 2nd grade):

    • temperature checks upon entry for staff and children

    • hands washed or sanitized before entering into kids’ space

    • masks required for ages 5 and up (3-4 year olds, strongly encouraged)

  • Hand sanitizer will be made available around the room

  • We ask that family units do their best to distance themselves from others with 1-2 chairs between them

  • If you or someone in your family are sick, please join us online

UPDATED January 14

We are happy to announce that we will be returning to one, in-person worship service starting Sunday, January 17th at 10:00am. The City of Philadelphia has lifted many of the restrictions that were set in place over the holidays, and thus our church leadership team decided to return to one service so we can all worship together on Sunday mornings. We will continue to have many protocols in place. Please take note of the following:

  • Registration is no longer required

  • LibertiKids is available for kids up to 2nd grade (masks required)

  • Doors open 10 minutes before each service

  • Masks are required to be worn during the service for ages 5 and up (3-4 year olds, strongly encouraged)

  • Hand sanitizer will be made available around the room

  • Family units will be socially distanced (6 feet) from others in the worship service

  • Mingling will not be permitted inside the building

 

Update for November 22nd

Just wanted to provide a brief update here:

We will be gathering online this Sunday, 11/22 on YouTube at 10:00am. We will not gather in-person for worship this Sunday, November 22nd. We will be gathering in-person in some way starting November 29th. For this Sunday, the YouTube link can be found here.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Evan

Update for November 15th

Just wanted to provide a brief update here:

We will be moving our service online this Sunday, 11/15 on YouTube at 10:00am. We will not gather in-person for worship this Sunday, November 15th. We hope to gather again in-person on November 22nd, but we can’t be sure at this time – we will let you know. But the YouTube link can be found here.

Home meetings will be virtual for the time being. Your home meeting leaders will be reaching out to you with more details.

Serve Saturday is still on. The site of the event is not run by Liberti Northeast, but one of our partners. So the event is still on.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Evan

Update for November 8th

Hello everyone,

A local school to which many of our congregants have a connection directly and indirectly had several cases of COVID-19 among its students earlier this week. Our people had different levels of exposure: a number of folks in our church had direct contact with these students and have been quarantined for 14 days as determined by the Department of Health. Others have started to show symptoms and are awaiting test results. At least one individual at Liberti Northeast has tested positive for COVID-19, at the time of this email. We will monitor the situation closely and will update you each week as we gather information.

After discussions with our network and Liberti Northeast leadership, out of an abundance of caution, and along with our desire to prevent further spreading as a way to love our neighbors, we will be responding in the following ways:

  • We will be moving our service online this Sunday on YouTube at 10:00am. While we have no reason to believe our worship services were the source of these cases and feel strongly about the protocols we have in place for Sundays, we will not gather in-person for worship this Sunday, November 8th. We hope to gather again in-person on November 15th, but we can’t be sure at this time – we will let you know. But the YouTube link can be found here.

  • Home meetings will be virtual for the next two weeks. Your home meeting leaders will be reaching out to you with more details.

  • All other events will continue as of right now. The In-Covenant Class and LibertiYouth are both virtual this Sunday, and thus nothing changes for these. We will make a call on Serve Saturday as it gets closer, but don't see a need to cancel at this time.

  • If you present symptoms of or test positive for COVID-19, please notify us immediately. You can find symptoms of COVID-19 here, and you can email us at northeast@liberti.org. Please note: if you were in close contact (as defined by the CDC) with someone from Liberti who tested or tests positive for COVID-19, we will contact you directly.

Finally, I'd also ask you to consider these suggestions about how we as the body of Christ should respond with mercy:

  • Pray for our church, those afflicted, for the healthcare workers, and for the Christians around the world who live in highly afflicted areas.

  • Care for our church family by reaching out to see what needs they have, drop-off groceries, send a gift card for Uber Eats or Grub Hub, and, if you personally need assistance, please email our Care Team at northeastcares@liberti.org. Part of the reason we came to this decision is so that we can use this time to take care of those who have been affected.

  • Consider what support you may be able to provide for parts of the country or the world that are heavily afflicted.

  • Know the signs of the virus and what to do for yourself and others. Information can be found on CDC and Philadelphia Health Department sites.

  • Help combat potential stigma towards people from afflicted regions through our words and actions.

  • Offer the Good News of Jesus Christ to people who might be fearful or anxious about the virus. Only Jesus can give them peace that passes all understanding.

I have every belief that our church family will be stronger coming out of all of this. This is simply an unfortunate aspect of our current circumstances. As we've been challenged so far in our current series, let's continue to pursue love and find joy in God even when times are tough.

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to myself or our elders in-training, David or Clayton, via phone or email us at northeast@liberti.org. 

Your Pastor,
Evan Curry

Update October 8th

Moving to One Worship Service

Due to Pennsylvania opening up a little more this week and now that we've moved to a larger room (plenty of room to spread out!), we are going to be bringing everyone together for one service at 10am starting October 11th and for the foreseeable future!

We're excited about this because we love gathering all together, and hope you are too! If for any reason we have to go to two services, we will be sure to let you know.

If you are attending in-person, we will continue our protocols including socially-distanced seating, required masks, and so forth. Pre-registration will no longer be required, but instead everyone will check themselves or their families in at the door. We recommend arriving early (no earlier than 10 minutes) since we are still at limited capacity, and want to make sure you get a seat.

If you are not comfortable or unable to be worship in-person, our livestream will be available on YouTube at 10:00am.

Our safety protocols are:

  • All persons are required to check-in at the Info Table before entering the worship service or LibertiKids

  • Masks required for anyone aged 5 and up.

  • Family units will be seated 6 feet apart from another

  • Livestream will continue for anyone unable or uncomfortable gathering.

  • No coffee and donuts until further notice. 

  • Contactless distribution of materials (e.g., no bulletins, no Bibles under chairs, etc.)

  • Offering will be virtual or through a donation box at the back of the worship space. 

  • We request that people abstain from physical forms of greeting like handshakes or hugs. However, single-use color-coded wristbands will be provided so individuals can display level of desired physical contact (red - no contact, yellow - fist bump or elbow bump, green - handshakes). 

  • Rows will be dismissed from back rows to front rows.

  • Mingling will not be permitted inside the building.

  • LibertiKids - 0-4 years old

    • Our volunteers must wear masks at all times

    • All kids and volunteers are temperature-checked at the door

    • Hand sanitizer (or hand washing) is required upon entering

    • Drop-off no earlier than 10 minutes before the service

    • Pick-up your child(ren) immediately after the service

    • If you or your child(ren) doesn’t feel well, please join us online

—

Starting August 23rd

We will resume indoor, in-person worship! Details are below.

PHASE THREE | Max. 50 People | Beginning August 23rd

Worship Services: In Person AND Livestream

  • We will begin hosting two worship services each Sunday at 9:30am and 11:00am with an adjusted order of service. 

  • Masks required for anyone aged 5 and up.

  • Family units will be seated 6 feet apart from another

  • Livestream will continue for anyone unable or uncomfortable gathering.

  • No coffee and donuts until further notice. 

  • Contactless distribution of materials (e.g., no bulletins, no Bibles under chairs, etc.)

  • Offering will be virtual or through a donation box at the back of the worship space. 

  • We request that people abstain from physical forms of greeting like handshakes or hugs. However, single-use color-coded wristbands will be provided so individuals can display level of desired physical contact (red - no contact, yellow - fist bump or elbow bump, green - hugs). 

  • Rows will be dismissed from back rows to front rows.

  • Mingling will not be permitted inside the building.

  • No LibertiKids - at least initially. We’ll continue to monitor developments and determine when we might be able to add these back in. But at the beginning of Phase 3, all kids will remain with their parents during worship services.

A Message from Pastor Evan

UPDATED JUNE 18

Hey Liberti Northeast! I wanted to come on here and provide you an update regarding our regathering plan. As I said before, no one wants to regather more than me. Liberti Northeast has never been closed, and we have continued to grow numerically, spiritually, and relationally during this time.

But I am excited to announce -

Starting next Sunday, June 28th we are going to move into phase 2 of reopening. Phase 1 was getting services online. Phase 2 will include gathering together in groups on Sunday mornings to watch the service and then have Communion offered at KleinLife for those who are interested.

Worship Services. Gather with one other family unit to watch the online service at 10:00am.

  • We strongly encourage gathering with the same family each week to prevent the chance of spreading COVID-10.

  • Small groups are encouraged to hold to social distancing guidelines:

    • Maximum of 5 adults gathered together.

    • Family units remain 6 feet apart.

    • Masks be worn by all people aged 5 and up.

    • No food and drinks provided.

    • Those uncomfortable with gathering may continue to watch online.

Communion Gatherings. We’ll offer two 15 minute communion gatherings each Sunday after our online service at 11:30am and 12:00pm.

  • Check the weekly email, website and social media for details and sign-ups.

  • Each communion gathering will be capped at 25 people. Sign-ups required in advance.

  • Communion will be served by masked and gloved servers.

  • These will be held outside on KleinLife’s fields whenever weather permits.

    • Bring your own chair or blanket.

    • If outdoors, we recommend all people aged 5 and up wear a mask.

    • If indoors, all who attend age 5 and up must wear masks (except when taking communion).

    • Don’t love the mask? Neither do I! But we need to keep in mind, many people won’t come to our church if we don’t wear masks. So let’s put the needs of others before our own preferences, and serve them by wearing a mask. It’s a simple inconvenience, but can be hugely impactful.

LibertiKids. No LibertiKids at this time. All kids will remain with their guardian(s).

Home Meetings. Home meetings will pause for the rest of the summer until Fall.

God bless you!

Pastor Evan

UPdated April 2

Due to the White House’s lengthening of the social distancing guidelines until April 30 and with a chance of it going longer, Liberti Northeast will continue to meet for worship online for the foreseeable future. We will be sure to communicate on our social media platforms and weekly email when this changes. Until then, please continue to join us on Sunday mornings using the links above. We appreciate your patience and prayers in this time.

Your Pastor,

Pastor Evan

UPDATED March 18th

Hey everyone! 

Sunday morning is the highlight of my week, tack on home meeting, and I'm flying high! So my heart breaks not being able to see you all, the kids running around after the service and grabbing the last few donuts, praying with you, and glorifying God (in-person) with you. These times are tough, but we get to now see what God can do in our community.

Earlier this week, the White House encouraged more social distancing and to not gather with any groups larger than 10 for 15 days. "Social distancing" doesn't mean spiritual and relational distancing, however. I have had Google Hangouts with many of our leaders, and it's clear how much they love our church and our neighbors. While it is difficult to be apart from one another physically in this time, our 21st century world allows us to still remain spiritually and relationally connected through other means. Therefore,
 

for the foreseeable future, Liberti Northeast will be a virtual community.


This is a compromise, not a convenience, that we do until we can gather together in-person again.

We will monitor the situation closely and will update you each week as we gather information. With that being said, I wanted to update you on a number of fronts:

  • We will continue with online worship services at least for the next two weeks. We will not gather in-person for worship on March 22 or 29th. We hope to gather again on April 5, but we can’t be sure at this time – we will keep you posted. You can join in by going to our YouTube or Facebook Page starting at 9:45am to connect with each other through chat features, and the service will begin at 10:00am on Sundays.

  • All events through the end of April will be postponed or canceled. Sadly, in order to limit gathering a large number together, we will have to postpone or cancel Covenant Entrance Day (March 29th), Family Fun Day (April 11th), Easter Egg Hunt (April 12th), and Vision Brunch (April 26th). The Women's Retreat (May 1-3) will likely be as well, but we will let you know.

  • Join me for a short devotional and prayer time on Wednesdays at 7:00am on our Facebook Page. I will go live on our page, and you can submit your prayer requests in the chat, and I will pray for them at that time or during our service the next Sunday. Always feel free to email me at northeast@liberti.org if you can't be on Facebook at that time.


Some of you may be asking, how can I help? There are a number of ways you can:

  • Easter Outreach will pivot. Typically, people come to us to collect their meals on Easter Saturday, but we will instead be partnering with another church in Northeast Philadelphia to be a distribution site for all those in need of food during this time. There will be volunteer opportunities related to this as well. If you signed up for a meal, you will be entered into a database for food distribution (more details TBD).  

  • Give faithfully if you are working. I had a member reach out and ask if they could give more. The answer - YES! We fully expect much of our Care Team funds and our generosity funds to be wiped out in this time, so please continue to give. The best way to do that is setup recurring giving online at libertinortheast.org/give or mail a check to our network office at 2200 Arch Street, Ste 200, Philadelphia, PA 19103.


Additional ways to remain connected:

  • There are ways to grow during this time--closer to the Lord and closer to your friends and family. During this time, we encourage you to reach out to friends via text, email, and phone calls. If you know of someone in our community who is struggling, help us be the body of Christ for them.  

  • Utilize Liberti Center City's Lent Prayerbook as a way to pray together with our community even while physically apart. We encourage you to join us in using that resource to corporately dwell on God’s faithfulness and mercy in this Lent season. 

  • Reach out if you need help with any physical needs. You can email northeastcares@liberti.org. You can also text or leave a message for us at 267-538-1440. Please also share this info with anyone else you may know who has needs.

These times are tough, but our lack of routine opportunities present us with new opportunities to live, speak, and serve as the very presence of Jesus. Liberti Northeast will be stronger than ever after this all passes--I'm sure of it!

Your Pastor,
Pastor Evan

Updated March 13th

Hello, everyone,

As concerns over coronavirus continue to hit our newsfeeds and so forth, I wanted to discuss a few things on my mind as well as wanted to give you an update as to what we are doing in response to this. 

As followers of Jesus, we put our trust in him alone, and no desire to be alarmist, but we do have a community responsibility toward each other and our neighbors. Before I proceed, allow me to share some Scripture that has come to mind that inform our response:

  • Job 1:12: "And the Lord said to Satan, 'Behold, all that [Job] has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.'” I was reminded as I read this passage this morning of how evil, disease, and suffering entered our world through the sin of the first humans (Genesis 3). And although God does not cause evil, as we see here, in his love and compassion he limits and directs it. Coronavirus only moves when God says it can move. I am also reminded of...

  • Matthew 10:29-31: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs on your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” In this passage, Jesus reminds us that God the Father is in control, so we don’t have to be afraid. We do not have to be ruled by fear in the face of the coronavirus because coronavirus is ruled by our Father’s perfect and loving providence. 

  • Proverbs 22:3: “The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.” Throwing caution to the wind is not a biblical virtue; it’s foolish. Because coronavirus can only do what our good Father ordains it to do, we aren’t alarmist or panicked, but we are aware of the danger it poses. Therefore, we will need to do what we can to protect them with wise precautions. 

  • Matthew 22:39: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Here, we are reminded that the central ethic of the Christian faith is love. We love our neighbor because God first loved us and gave his Son for us. Coronavirus could change life dramatically for some of our neighbors. Let’s go out of our way to take in the displaced, care for the vulnerable, help the sick, and shine the light and love of Jesus in this critical time. We also have a "community responsibility" to help slow down the virus.

Lately the phrase "social distancing” has become part of our vocabulary. Looked at through a biblical lens, it is a way we can love our neighbors. While distancing ourselves doesn’t sound very loving, it is one of the steps we can take to help ensure the common good of our city and our neighbors at this time of a global pandemic sparked by the coronavirus. The data we have around best practices in managing the COVID-19 pandemic says that we need to reduce our travel and gathering footprint (the article "Flatten the Curve" sums it up well). Loving our neighbor by “flattening the curve” may help our city and country create the kind of situation that allows our medical community to keep up with the demand caused by the spread of the virus.

We will monitor the situation closely and will update you each week as we gather information. However, in light of the above passages, the city's recommendation, and other churches and medical experts in our network, Liberti will seek to “flatten the curve” in a few ways:

  • We are canceling this Sunday's service. We will not gather in person for worship on March 15. We hope to gather again on March 22, but we can’t be sure at this time – we will keep you posted. 

  • Home meetings will take a break from regular gatherings until services resume. Feel free to explore technical solutions like Zoom, FaceTime, Google Hangouts, or other tools that bring remote people together! It is important not to isolate in these times. This is not a time to escape into Netflix, but more of a time to call each other and check in with each other. The leadership team and I will be developing ways to better connect you with each other in this time.

  • We felt it necessary to postpone the Meeting for Better Understanding scheduled for this Sunday.

We also want to stay connected and grow together in this season:

  • We will make available an abbreviated service this Sunday at 10:00am. We will post a link on our homepage, Facebook page, and send out a reminder Sunday AM. There will be a time in the stream for you to take Communion as well. We invite you to have elements on hand (wine/grape juice and crackers/bread).

  • There are ways to grow during this time--closer to the Lord and closer to your friends and family. During this time, we encourage you to reach out to friends via text, email, and phone calls. If you know of someone in our community who is struggling, help us be the body of Christ for them. 

  • Take this opportunity to meet up with a friend and go for a walk. The weather is improving, and it is an opportune time to notice all of God’s beauty. Consider doing a walk and pray for your neighborhood, our city as you do so. 

  • Utilize Liberti Center City's Lent Prayerbook as a way to pray together with our community even while physically apart. We encourage you to join us in using that resource to corporately dwell on God’s faithfulness and mercy in this Lent season. 

Lastly, I'd also ask you to consider these suggestions about how we as the body of Christ should respond with mercy:

  • Pray for those afflicted, for the healthcare workers, and for the Christians around the world who live in highly afflicted areas.

  • Consider what support you may be able to provide for parts of the country or the world that are heavily afflicted.

  • Know the signs of the virus and what to do for yourself and others. Information can be found on World Health Organization and Philadelphia Health Department sites.

  • Help combat potential stigma towards people from afflicted regions through our words and actions.

  • Care for your neighbors by reaching out to see what needs they have, grab non-perishables at the grocery store to have on hand for those at risk (e.g., ages 60+, immune-compromised individuals), and, if you personally need assistance, please email our Care Team at northeastcares@liberti.org.

  • Offer the Good News of Jesus Christ to people who might be fearful or anxious about the virus. People are scared, and only Jesus can give them the peace that passes all understanding.

May you know God’s peace and presence in this time.

Your Pastor,
Evan Curry