Worship Update as of July 29, 2021

All Are Welcome. Please Wear A Mask.


The COVID prevalence in Duval County is growing at a rapid pace. Our hospitals are again converting more units to COVID care and are cancelling elective surgeries. The CDC has provided guidance for areas such as ours where vaccination rates are low and the spread of the virus is high. To minimize the risk of breakthrough positive cases and transmission of the virus to those unvaccinated, everyone, including those vaccinated, is advised to wear a face mask when indoors in public. 


As of July 29, 2021, when on the RPC campus, please wear a face mask. Masks will be available for you if you forget yours. All are welcome at RPC and all are asked to take this step to protect each other including some of those most vulnerable - our kids. No one likes to wear masks. It’s very frustrating that we, again, are advised to take this precaution. It’s important that we stand together until more people are vaccinated and we are able to counter this latest surge in cases.


Here is the updated CDC guidance:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html

People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second shot.


In addition to asking everyone to wear a mask when on campus, here are the other safety measures that remain in place at RPC:


In the sanctuary, the ropes will remain in place, for now, to encourage distancing. The ushers will take down ropes and seat worshippers on the adjacent pews, if needed. If you require socially distanced seating, please send an email to Kathy Para, [email protected] (or call 904-651-1081), indicating the worship service you plan to attend, so the ushers can ensure that we have your socially distanced space available. Fellowship activities will be planned for outdoor venues whenever possible. 


Some members may decide that their best choice is to worship online and participate in small groups via Zoom. Thankfully, we have very effective and meaningful electronic resources which allow us to stay connected to our church family.


We strongly encourage all who are eligible to be vaccinated. The efficacy of the approved vaccines continues to be confirmed. To find a vaccine location: go to vaccines.gov to search by which vaccine you’d like to receive, where you may go to get that vaccine, and whether appointments are required. If you have ongoing health conditions or have had reactions to other vaccinations, check with your doctor before getting the vaccine.


If you need help scheduling a vaccine or if you need transportation to your vaccine site, please contact Kathy Para, Chair of Safe Gatherings, [email protected], 904-651-1081. 


The Safe Gatherings Committee appreciates your feedback and questions. 


The Safe Gatherings Committee

Kathy Para, Chair, [email protected]

Barbara Bath

Michael Brumback

Maribeth Ashley

Bill Hoff

Cory Meyers

Jane Miller

Susie Morrow

Dave Tuttle, Secretary & Staff Support

FROM PASTOR BILL

We will continually evaluate the risks and benefits of offering limited, in-person worship services and will make changes, if needed. It may be that as conditions change, we will return to online only worship services or we may add additional in-person opportunities. 


Our goal is to offer a safe worship experience for those who are able and would like to worship in the sanctuary with others. We realize that those in higher risk groups and families who need child care will continue to rely on the online services. 


As we move through this pandemic, we pray for protection for all, for a vaccine, and for a cure. We are listening for God’s voice and know that God is present with us in this difficult time. As always, please share your needs and concerns with us. It’s important that we continue reaching out to each other with words of encouragement and hope. We are God’s hands and feet. We experience God’s love through one another as we live in community in this new way.


Peace and blessings to you,

Bill