Indoor Worship
at Village Church of Bartlett
Sundays at 9:00am & 11:00am
Attendee Information and Guidelines
Registration Opens Sunday Morning and Closes Friday Night At Midnight Each Week
- Following Jesus’ mission
- Prioritizing our people’s safety & conscience
- Offering wise transparency
- Honoring our governing authorities, which means we will follow state and CDC guidelines until they violate God’s Word or inhibit our Christ-mandated mission
- Reduce the need to cancel in-person services
- Low risk exposure: all parties wearing masks, with social distancing, with exposure under 15 minutes
- High risk exposure: unmasked exposure, especially for an extended period of time and indoors
While there is risk of exposure in any public setting with people present, our goal is to maintain low-risk exposure whenever possible, and to serve all our church family members during this difficult season. If you have questions regarding our policy as outlined below, please contact the church office at villagechurch@vcob.org.
Finally, if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 or any other illness, we would love to be able to support you however we can. Our staff, elders, deacons, Share the Care team, and church body are eager to pray for you, bring you meals, or encourage you should you find yourself affected. Please let us know how we can best help you and your family.
Indoor services will be socially distant & contactless
Masks must be worn indoors at all times
Connecting before/after service outdoors only
Village Kids will remain online-only
No food or drink will be offered or permitted indoors
Cleaning protocols have been expanded
Exposure Policy
If I am possibly exposed to COVID-19 at a church service or event, will you tell me?
If we are aware, we will communicate to the best of our ability with all who have been possibly exposed to COVID-19 at a church service or event.
Will you publicly share the name of those who test positive for COVID-19?
No, unless the infected person willingly permits the communication.
What will the church do if someone tests positive for COVID-19 that attended one of our services or events?
If we are made aware, we will ask the person who tested positive along with their household to refrain from attending Village Church services or events in person for the appropriate duration of time as defined by the CDC, and instead join us virtually. We encourage all our church body to follow CDC guidelines if they test positive for COVID-19, which includes a 14-day quarantine.
If a Village Church staff member is directly exposed to COVID-19, what will the church require of that person?
Unmasked first hand exposure of staff (high risk) will require 14-day quarantine per CDC guidelines unless testing comes back negative.
If I discover I have been exposed or test positive for COVID-19 after attending a church service or church event, whom do I inform?
Contact the church office at villagechurch@vcob.org or 630-289-8151 as soon as possible.
If I have been exposed to COVID-19, suspect that I have been exposed, or test positive, what should I do?
Please refrain from attending Village Church services or events in person for the appropriate duration of time as defined by the CDC, and instead join us virtually. We encourage all our church body to follow CDC guidelines if they test positive for or are directly exposed to COVID-19, which includes a 14-day quarantine.
Indoor Worship Services
Are worship service attendees and volunteers required to wear masks at all times in the building?
Yes, masks are required at all times during indoor worship services, except for communion. Unfortunately, this requires masks during singing in order to love one another, keep exposure low risk, and prevent unnecessary cancellation of services.
If I have a medical exemption for masks, what should I do?
Please wear a face shield when you attend indoor worship services if you have a medical exemption for masks.
If I'm uncomfortable wearing a mask for a worship service, how can I worship at Village Church?
At this time, we are still offering outdoor worship services where masks are not required. You can also watch our church services online from your home or in a group.
Do I Need To Register For Services?
Yes; In order to manage capacity and social distancing, we are requiring registration for indoor worship services. Please be sure you register every week for anyone in your household who will be attending.
Are we allowed to stay in the building after the service?
We will have time for fellowship indoors after the first service, and will ask those attending first service to leave by 10:30 a.m. to allow time to clean before the 11 a.m. service.
Will there be food or coffee offered during the service?
Our cafe and hospitality ministry will remain closed at this time, and we kindly ask you to refrain from bringing outside food or drink into the building.
Will we have Village Kids on Sundays?
Village Kids (ages 0-6th grade) will not be offered at this time. A nursing mothers’ room will be available.
You can access Village Kids Online at vcob.org/vkonline. Parents are encouraged to intentionally disciple their kids throughout the week using this content. If you need help or resources beyond Village Kids Online, we would love to help! Contact Tami White at twhite@vcob.org.
What is happening with kids during the worship service?
Services will be family friendly. Kids are encouraged to attend and engage. Family units are encouraged to remain together. Village Kids will continue to be offered online at vcob.org/vkonline. We will also be providing activity packets for kids in attendance.
Children 2 years and older must wear masks.
How will the offering be taken during the service?
There will be a box available at the back of the room to place your offering.
Online giving options will remain the same.
Will there be communion during service?
Yes. Communion elements will be placed on or under the seats in sealed cups. There will be recycling bins as you exit for you to place your used cups.
Will the welcome team (greeters, ushers, etc.) hug me or shake my hand?
No, but you will still be warmly greeted!
Will the facilities be sanitized between the services?
Between services, the facilities team will clean high touch surfaces, sanctuary chairs, and the restrooms with EPA-approved products that disinfect from COVID-19.
How long will services be?
Services will be approximately 1 hour.
Community, Men’s, & Women’s Groups In The Building
Are group members required to wear masks in the church when their groups gather?
If they are social distancing (6 feet), then no. This will require you to follow room capacity limits. Please contact the church office at villagechurch@vcob.org or 630-289-8151 for more information.
For events in the church other than corporate worship, will masks be required?
If social distancing is maintained (6 feet), then no. This will require you to follow room capacity limits. Please contact the church office at villagechurch@vcob.org or 630-289-8151 for more information.
Can food be served at ministry events?
Yes, but all food must be catered or store-bought and pre-packaged at this time in order to limit the number of people in contact with utensils and food. If you are catering food, you must coordinate with the church office by emailing villagechurch@vcob.org or calling 630-289-8151.
Will we have nursery or childcare for other ministries?
At this time, we are asking that ministries not provide nursery or childcare in the building.
Facilities
Are ministries allowed to hold events in the building or on our property?
Yes, as long as they schedule through the church office and with their supervisor and follow the set policies.
What are our cleaning procedures throughout the week, after events in the building, and between services?
In addition to our normal cleaning protocols, our cleaning service will be sanitizing before, between, and after Sunday services. After each event, the hosting ministry director is required to follow our established cleaning protocol, which they will receive after scheduling their event with the church office.
How will guidelines be enforced in the building?
We have confidence that our church body will work with us to protect all members of our community without issue. If there is a situation that arises, our staff will address it appropriately.
Are there limits to how many people can be in the building or in specific rooms?
Yes, the current capacity is set at 25% of the assigned room, so long as social distancing is still able to be applied within that space. Contact the church office for more details.
Are there spaces that ministry leaders are not allowed to use in the building?
Classrooms and spaces under construction are not able to be used at this time. There are multiple larger rooms available, but they must be coordinated through the church office by calling 630-289-8151.
Staff & Appointments
Are staff and leadership required to wear a mask indoors throughout the work week?
If they are social distancing (6 feet), then no.
Am I required to wear a mask if I have a meeting in the church?
If social distancing is maintained (6 feet), then no. This will require you to follow room capacity limits. Please contact the church office at villagechurch@vcob.org or 630-289-8151 for more information.
** By registering for and/or attending in-person worship services, you agree that you have read all of the above, and you understand and will follow the guidelines. **