Dear Parents,

After much discussion and careful consideration of current CDC and state guidelines and consistory protocols, we have decided to resume in-person Sunday school for preschool (3 years old thru pre-k), elementary (K thru 5th grade), and middle school (6th thru 8th grade) students on August 2nd for the 9:40 hour only. Due to difficulty maintaining social distancing and face mask use with two-year-olds, we will not have a toddler/two-year-old class at this time and will revisit resuming that class in the future.

Attached are the protocols established by Zion’s Church for resuming in-person Sunday school. We took every effort to comply with all current CDC and state guidelines and create a safe environment; however, we are asking each family to read over the protocols to familiarize yourself with the procedures, prep your child with what changes to expect, and determine the right time for your family to return to Sunday school.

Special notes for middle school students:

• Middle school students will enter through the upper parking lot doors, walk through the back hallway, and down the stairs by the street. They will continue through the downstairs back hallway to their classroom.
• Twelve students can fit in the classroom and maintain 6 feet of social distancing. Once everyone is seated and class has begun, students will be permitted to remove their mask for the lesson at the discretion of the teacher. If more than 12 students are present, students will be required to wear their mask for the entire hour since socially distancing cannot be maintained. Masks are required at all times when moving in the building or classroom.
• To limit the amount of shared items, students are asked to bring their own Bibles (Bible apps are fine) and a pen or pencil. Bibles will still be available in the classroom for those who need them.
• Students leaving after Sunday school is over should promptly exit via the designated path in the fellowship hall and out the fellowship hall doors (these are exit only doors). They will rejoin the rest of their family outside.
• Students staying for the third worship service will be required to wait in the classroom until near the start of the service time. They will promptly proceed upstairs via the stairs by Randy’s office and join the line to enter the sanctuary. They will either join the rest of their family already sitting in the sanctuary or tell the usher how many family members will be joining them and wait for their family in the pew.

We have missed all of your children and look forward being together in person again when it is the right time for your family to return.

Sincerely,
Jenn Scott, Sunday School Coordinator

Click to Download Our Sunday School Re-Opening Protocols

Hi everyone,

     I have great news! The Consistory decided on Tuesday night to re-open our church on Sunday, June 28, with three services at 8:00, 9:40 and 11:15—the Easter schedule. We have this spacing to enable us to clean the church between services and attempt to make it as safe an environment as we can achieve.

     There are varied ideas as to how we should open. Before revealing the ‘how,’ I’d like us to take a moment and acknowledge that we will have differing opinions about how we open, and we also have diverse opinions about what is happening in our society. But we also have some significant points of agreement. In spite of any differences, we all agree about the following:

• None of us want to be living with the restrictions of Covid-19.
• All of us value our relationships in our church family.
• We all want to worship together again.
• We want everyone, no matter what their age or health circumstances, to return to worship as soon as they safely can.
• We want everyone to feel completely welcome and included in our family.
• Finally, we want no one to feel either socially or spiritually pressured to come to church. You must do what is the wisest and best for your life circumstances, and we completely bless you in whatever choice you might make. We long for the time when things truly do return to a more normal experience of being together.

If you're unable to make it to church, our services are available online via audio podcast or Youtube here: http://zionschurch.org/worship

Please consider tithing online if you are unable to give in person.  Online Giving information can be found here.  Please stay safe everyone!

Zion's Church has implemented a Church Management System called Realm. Along with serving the church's business needs, it also offers several ways to improve engagement, communication, and relationships within church. 

WHAT IS REALM?
Realm is an online ministry tool designed with communication in mind. It helps us all to stay connected and informed.  Realm allows you to manage your personal contact information and who is allowed to see it, control your online giving, and keep in touch with the groups that matter to you.  Realm is available both as a web site and a mobile app.  You will be able to receive notifications via email or within the app.

WHY USE REALM?
Realm strengthens church connections.  Groups and individuals are better able to communicate with each other, even from our mobile devices. It will facilitate better relationship building.  We’ll stay organized, and you’ll stay informed about all of the ministries and fellowship opportunities.  Event registration will be available, and, if an event requires payment, you'll be able to pay online as well.  If you are a group leader, we will be reaching out to do some additional training for you.