Church Building Closure Update
Revised: January 14, 2021
The Ontario Government has issued a Stay at Home Order, in the most recent attempts to combat COVID 19. This impacts every citizen of Ontario, and as of today Thursday January 14th 2021, it is the law. Places of worship are not deemed Essential Service, and so all staff must work from home as they are able.
To meet the legal requirements of our insurance policy, our ERMUC building facility must be checked daily. M+P and Property have worked collaboratively with the staff, and have adjusted Barry Van Hooser’s work responsibilities, so that he will be the one checking the building 7 days a week during this lock down period. Be assured the mail will continue to be received, bank deposits will continue to be made, and all essential business will be conducted to the best of our ability during this time.
Access to the building is now restricted to these essential and any emergency situations. Please respect the law, “stay home, save lives” and do not attempt to enter into the ERMUC facility.
Council will continue to monitor the situation, and will be reviewing our circumstances at our next Council meeting on Tuesday January 26th, 2021, and will report back to you all through Tidings, and the website.
Please pray for your ERMUC family. The volunteers who sit on Council, Ministry and Personnel, Property, and your staff as together we work towards providing a safe and healthy ministry for all.
Please pray for our Community Health Care workers, Emergency Services, and First Responders, who continue to put themselves at risk as they serve the population.
Please pray for our provincial, national and global governmental leaders. There work is thankless right now, and whether we voted for them or not, they can all use the support of our prayers.
Please Stay Home. Please Stay Safe. Please Help to Save Lives.
Rev. Michelle Down
Worship Services are Online and Interactive
Worship Services in our “Online Virtual Worship Services” will be offered on Sunday mornings at 10 am, including small breakout groups for check-in and conversation. A recording of parts of the service will be posted here each week.
Information on how to access the services can be found at the following link: “Online Virtual Worship Services”.
COVID-19 Re-Opening Plan
The East Central Ontario Regional Council of the United Church has now approved the Edith Rankin Memorial United Church Reopening Plan. This plan was approved by the Council of Elders on September 22, 2020.
Group Activities
Many of our friendship and study groups continue to meet online using RingCentral Meetings. Contact your group leader for more information.
We also continue to care for one another and our neighbours through phone, email and online meetings.
Pastoral Care
Our ministers, Michelle Down, and Elizabeth Amirault are responding to pastoral care needs by phone and email. Use our contact form to reach them, or leave a message at the church office (613-389-2530).
Pre-screening form for individuals entering the church building
When the church is open for use (small group gatherings, public worship with limited attendance, etc) attendees will be required to complete a declaration form online or upon arrival at the church.
COVID-19 Resource Sites
Kingston Health Sciences Centre – COVID-19 Community Assessment Centre
https://kingstonhsc.ca/community-assessment-centre
The COVID-19 Assessment Centre is located at:
Beechgrove Complex
(lies just south of the King St. West/Portsmouth Avenue intersection)
Follow directional signage to walk-in Assessment Centre at 51 Heakes Lane
Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
Kingston Frontenac Lennox and Addington Public Health Unit
Kingston Frontenac Lennox and Addington Public Health Unit
Status of Cases in KFLA
https://www.kflaph.ca/en/healthy-living/status-of-cases-in-kfla.aspx
Assessment & Next Steps
https://www.kflaph.ca/en/healthy-living/covid-19-testing-and-next-steps.aspx
COVID-19 Guidance for Re-opening Places of Worship July 17, 2020
https://www.kflaph.ca/en/healthy-living/what-workplaces-and-schools-can-do-to-protect-against-covid-19.aspx
Physical Distancing
https://www.kflaph.ca/en/healthy-living/physical-distancing.aspx
Symptoms of COVID-19
https://www.kflaph.ca/en/healthy-living/covid-19-testing-and-next-steps.aspx
Face Coverings:
https://www.kflaph.ca/en/healthy-living/face-covering-frequently-asked-questions-faq.aspx
COVID-19 Signage
https://www.kflaph.ca/en/healthy-living/covid-19-signage.aspx
Government of Ontario
COVID-19 Website
https://covid-19.ontario.ca/
COVID-19 case data: All Ontario
https://covid-19.ontario.ca/data
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services Guidance on Health and Safety for Places of Worship During COVID-19
https://d1ow5xpphy0w2p.cloudfront.net/common/covid-19-worship-places-health-and-safety-guidance.pdf?mtime=20200609144243&focal=none
City of Kingston
City of Kingston COVID-19 Website
https://www.cityofkingston.ca/Resident/COVID-19
Kingston Frontenac Public Library
https://www.kfpl.ca/library-services/coronavirus-covid-19-updates
United Church of Canada
Faith Communities and COVID-19
https://www.united-church.ca/covid-19
Reopening Churches during COVID-19
https://www.united-church.ca/community-faith/being-community/reopening-churches-during-covid-19
East Central Ontario Regional Council
COVID-19 Reopening
https://ecorcuccan.ca/on-the-opening-of-churches/
Risk assessment resources
https://ecorcuccan.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Invitation-to-Risk-Assessment_V2a.docx