COVID Safety Protocols

Joy!’s Covid Taskforce has met to discuss the Governor's most recent COVID mitigation plan. For the time being, we will continue to offer in-person worship for 50 people. For the safety of our congregation and volunteers, Joy! continues to follow the Places of Worship Guidelines provided by Illinois Dept of Public Health (https://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/community-guidance/places-worship-guidance).  We will continue to monitor the COVID statistics and recommendations, keeping you updated on any changes to Joy! worship or building policies. 

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What if someone gets sick with COVID-19?
If any individual who has been on the Joy! campus is diagnosed with COVID, they must notify Joy! Lutheran Church immediately. Joy! will inform all individuals impacted by the presence of someone ill in the facility. The building will be closed until cleaning and disinfecting of the building can take place in accordance with health department guidelines.

For a comprehensive list of our COVID journey and each Joy Phase click HERE.

IN-PERSON WORSHIP

• Seating limited to 50 worshipers.
• Masks are required.
• Social Distancing - Congregants who are living together sit together, at least 6 feet apart from other congregants and groups. 
• ​Congregants will be at least 10 feet away from anyone on stage. Singers and pastors will remove their mask when on stage. 
• Congregation members must pre-register for worship and check in on arrival. 
• Nursery available (space is limited, pre-registration required).
• No coffee or treats will be available.
• No Sunday morning Kids Adventure Klub, Sunday Small Groups, or Sunday Adult Classes
• ​Modified communion, offering, and sharing of the peace practices. 
• ​Hand sanitation stations will be readily available throughout the building.
• The building will be disinfected on a regular basis. 
• We discourage staff, congregants, and visitors from engaging in handshakes, hugs, and similar greetings that break physical distance. 
• For those who have traveled to a current CDC recognized COVID-19 hot spot (https://www.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#cases) or have participated in air travel, we invite you to wait 2 weeks until you return to worship.​
• We encourage staff and congregants/visitors who are sick or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, or who have family members who are ill, to stay home.

​INDOOR GATHERINGS 

• Youth groups will start meeting in the building on Sunday, September 13th.
• Some small groups and community organizations will return to the building starting Monday, October 5th.
• Church-affiliated small groups and ministries can call the church office to determine if meeting in the building is possible starting on Monday, October 5th. We are encouraging all groups that can meet remotely to continue to do so.

OUTDOOR GATHERINGS 

• Groups of 50 or less are permitted
• Keep at least a 6-foot distance between group members
• Masks coverings are encouraged for outdoor gatherings
• Each person must bring their own chair
• Outdoor areas are available on a first come, first serve basis
• ​Gatherings may be conducted in the parking lot or on the south side of the building
• No restroom usage—the building will remain closed 
• We discourage everyone from engaging in handshakes, hugs, and similar greetings that break physical distance. 
• We encourage everyone who is sick or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, or who have family members who are ill, to stay home.