We've been working on plans to resume in-person worship. Getting ready for this is a big undertaking, especially since we've not been together in our sanctuaries for 76 weeks! Making this a meaningful and enjoyable experience, and as safe as possible, is our priority. We're not rushing; we want to do this right.
Here are the highlights. You can find much more in the rest of this email.
- We'll be continuing with our online worship (using Zoom) for a bit longer. It will start later, at 11:00am.
- Elora UC will be starting in-person worship in September, once we're ready. At the beginning it will be earlier than usual, at 9:30. This is so we can continue to serve people online as well.
- Bethany UC will be starting in-person worship in October. Our goal is Thanksgiving Sunday.
- We'll soon be broadcasting Elora UC's worship services onto the internet. This will let people participate in-person or online, whatever works best for them. Once things are ready for this, Elora UC's services will start at 11:00 am.
- Elora UC's Children's Worship times will continue on Zoom for a little while. Our hope is to start in-person times in October.
You can find out more below. And there will be much more information to come.
Thanks,
Elora UC Mission & Resources Boards
Bethany UC Board
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Starting in September
We'll let you know once everything is ready.
Sunday Mornings
9:30 am
- We'll sit individually, in households, or in small groups you put together beforehand.
- We'll be physically distanced.
- Masks will be required.
- People are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated. (Since children cannot be vaccinated, we cannot guarantee that everyone attending will be.)
- A pre-registration system is being set up, including screening questions.
- We're taking steps to make it as safe as we can, including improving ventilation in the Sanctuary.
- For the time being, we won't be able to sing together. Still, we'll be worshipping with great music.
- Unfortunately, we can't have a fellowship time afterwards at this point. Hopefully soon.
When we're able to begin broadcasting these services online from our sanctuary, we'll switch the time back to 11:00am. We plan to do this by October.
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We hope to start on
October 10, Thanksgiving Sunday!
We'll let you know once everything is ready.
Sunday Mornings
9:20 am
More details to come.
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Starting Soon!
Once the equipment is installed and working properly, and the volunteer operators are trained.
Sunday Mornings
11:00 am
We're installing a camera and other equipment that will allow us to broadcast to the internet our Sunday Worship directly from our sanctuary.
This will serve people who . . .
• can continue worship from home while our sanctuary capacity is limited;
• are uncomfortable being together in large groups at this point;
• have not been vaccinated;
• cannot attend due to physical limitations
• are away from the community (e.g., travelling)
• wish to share in funerals or weddings, but cannot do so in person;
• are attending other events, including ones offered by renters.
Once we're ready to go . . .
the Sunday In-Person worship will move from 9:30am to 11:00am,
we'll stop using Zoom for worship but continue using it for other things.
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Special Request
We're purchasing the equipment needed to broadcast our services online. This includes some much-needed upgrades to our sound system.
The total cost of this will be about $12,000. We already have $7,000 from money given to the church to help with future-oriented initiatives.
We still need to raise $5,000 more. Can you help with this?
If you wish to donate, please contact Beverly Bond (elorabethanyuc@wightman.ca). If you want to know more about the project, Jeff Smith (jefsmifam@hotmail.com) or Greg Smith-Young (ministerelorauc@wightman.ca; 226-384-9084) can fill you in.
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KEEP CONNECTED
www.facebook.com/EloraUnitedChurch
EloraUC.org
elorabethanyuc@wightman.ca
519.846.0122
Mailing: 75 Geddes Street, Elora ON, N0B 1S0
Locations
Bethany United Church
4th Line East & Sideroad 10 (near Inverhaugh)
Elora United Church
75 Geddes Street
Ministers
Greg Smith-Young: ministerelorauc@wightman.ca
Barb Smith-Young: barbsmithyoung@gmail.com
For both: 519.846.2542
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