PLAN YOUR VISIT
We can't wait to welcome you. Join us for worship Sunday mornings at 10:30am online or by booking your in-person visit. Find out everything you need to know and what to expect when you join us at Armour Heights as we worship together in this new way in this Covid-19 season.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN WORSHIP
Before you arrive ...
We are following some new routines to help us all stay safe during this time of Covid-19.
In order to maintain respectful social distance during worship, our capacity will be limited. Please sign up here to let us know you plan to come — this will support contact tracing if that may be needed. Note that if the sanctuary fills we well have additional seating available in the Scott Duncan Hall.
Aim to arrive early, ideally to be seated before 10:15am. We are livestreaming our worship service and will begin promptly at 10:30am.
Please note washrooms are available, but limited.
When you arrive ...
We will all enter through the main doors on Saunders St.
As you enter, please sanitize your hands with one of the non-contact hand sanitizer dispensers in the Narthex (our entrance hall).
At the top of the stairs you will two greeters and a table.
Your belongings ...
If you have a mask, please bring it with you — and don't worry: we have a supply if you forget — even though you might prefer your own. (If mask use is a problem, please contact Erin in the church office.)
When planning your visit, please know that anything you bring will accompany you into the sanctuary. If you wear a coat, you will bring it with you to your seat.
One greeter for those who have registered ...
The greeter on the right will be welcoming you if you have registered with us beforehand. They will confirm your information and check your temperature.
One greeter if you have not pre-registered ...
The greeter on the left will welcome you if you have not registered beforehand. They will help you register, and confirm that you are not experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms. They will also check your temperature.
As you enter the sanctuary ...
An usher will provide you with a personal package of all the materials you will need: order of worship, words to hymns, the sermon, and announcements.
You will see that hymn books, Psalm books and Bibles have been removed from the pews. You may notice our livestreaming camera located at the rear of the sanctuary — it is on a platform to be able to “see” over the heads of those attending the worship service.
Making an offering ...
Before making your way to your seat, you may leave your offering in the basket provided near the aisle at the back of the sanctuary. You can also leave this at the end of the service. During the service the offering plates will not be passed — however in this time our ministries need your support as much as ever. You may wish to contribute your regular monthly support through PAR — Pre Authorized Remittance. Erin can help you with setting this up. You can also submit a special gift online through the Canada Helps link on our web site.
You will notice some other changes ...
As you proceed to your seat you also will see some pews are taped off. We will be placing a limited number in each pew to maintain distancing — however, people in the same bubble may sit closer together.
When the usher seats you, you may have the opportunity to reflect on experiencing worship from a new or unaccustomed vantage point!
Once you are seated ...
We all will continue to wear our masks throughout the service.
Our Music Director Bruce Nasmith and a small choral team will provide music for the service. To help them sing safely we have arranged Plexiglas guards which you will see in the Chancel area.
The congregation will not be singing — although we all love music, we will need to appreciate the music by following along silently until it is once again safe for us to sing.
If you wish, you may join in saying the responsive call to worship and Lord's Prayer softly while wearing your mask.
Sharing the peace will happen during the service — as we have done in recent flu seasons we can share the peace with no touching — and now do this while maintaining distance.
Worship opportunities for children ...
As we are open only for worship at this time, church school will take place by ZOOM at 11:45 am for school age children.
We do welcome children to attend worship, and ask you to keep them with you at all times, and to bring activities to keep them engaged.
If you need to step out during worship ...
Please use the closest exit.
We will have an usher to guide you to an available washroom as only one person may use the washroom at a time — washrooms are available in the hallway next to the sanctuary, at the far east end — and these washrooms will be sanitized before and after the service.
Other washrooms — and other areas including the basement of the church — will remain closed to minimize the need for cleaning and sanitization.
When worship is over ...
Those seated at the back of the sanctuary will exit first — maintaining appropriate distance from your fellow congregants — an usher will guide you.
Don’t forget to take your coat — and remember to continue wearing your mask and to maintain physical distance.
You will have the opportunity to sanitize your hands as you leave — please head directly outside so that we all flow out of the church.
People seated in the Scott Duncan Hall to view the service will follow the same procedures, exiting at the end of the service and proceeding out of the church.
Connect with others ...
After you exit the church there may be space and opportunity to greet others briefly as space and weather may permit.
And — when you arrive home we welcome you to join on Zoom for ZOOMffee Hour with those who have watched the livestream of the worship service — ZOOMffee Hour will begin at 12 noon.