A careful plan for coming back together in-person has been developed in compliance with the MN Department of Health and CDC guidelines. Check below for information about some new processes and procedures that are in place for in-person gatherings.


Not ready to attend in-person? Enjoy the livestream happening on Facebook! After the fact, you can watch all Sunday gatherings on-demand here. When you are ready to come back, we're ready to have you! 



The health and safety of our congregation is a priority for us, and as such, was part of the decisions we have made. Our goal is to create a safe and welcoming environment where people feel ready to connect with God. For this reason, we have laid out guidelines below that we believe are necessary to be followed based on the info given to us by the MN Department of Health and CDC. We will amend these guidelines appropriately in the days ahead. Thank you for following these guidelines for your safety, as well as the safety of others. Please note: while your well-being is a priority, there is always a risk for getting COVID-19 in a group setting. 


Check back in the coming weeks for new updates. 



*PLEASE NOTE: You no longer need to RSVP for service attendance! Just show up! 

  • volunteers needed!

    We need your help to make this work! Let us know if you're willing to be a volunteer (opportunities include greeters, check-in, ushers, camera operators, and kids ministry). All volunteer opportunities can be found here.

  • what to expect

    UPON ARRIVAL

    • Aim to arrive no earlier than 20 minutes prior to the gathering start time.
    • The Welcome Team will greet you as you enter. 
    • Please observe social distancing at all times, maintaining a minimum of six-feet from others. We ask you to do this as a courtesy and out of respect to those around you. For the time being, we'll plan to give "air-hugs" instead of direct personal contact. 


    MASKS

    Masks (or other face coverings) are required at all times for those ages 5+ (unless there is medical or health exemption). Types of face coverings can include a paper or disposable mask, a cloth mask, a neck gaiter, a scarf, a bandana, or a religious face covering.


    SANCTUARY

    • Ushers will help you find rows marked for the gathering you are attending. 
    • Please leave 3 seats between you and others attending who are not part of your group.
    • No offering plates will be passed. There are offering boxes placed in the back of the sanctuary or you can give online. 


    CLEANLINESS & HYGIENE

    • All staff and volunteers will be screened for symptoms prior to serving on Sunday, according to the COVID-19 Screening Guidelines.
    • High-touch surfaces will be sanitized between gatherings and hand sanitizer will be available throughout the facility.
    • Please stay home if you are ill, are experiencing any symptoms or have been on contact with someone with a positive case of COVID-19. Join us via livestream instead.


    QUESTIONS? Email us at info@thedoor.org.


    (Please Note: While we are doing all we can to clean and sanitize, there is a potential for exposure to COVID-19 anytime you gather with a group of people.) 

  • Next Kids

    Next Kids is back! 


    Watch this video to learn more about bringing kids to Next Kids programming.. 


    Here are a few of the ways we are keeping our space safe and welcoming for our kids, families and volunteers: 

    • Masks or face covering of choice required for ages 5+ (unless there is a medical exemption). Please observe social distancing in the building.
    • Check-in will take place upstairs to help eliminate hallway congestion in the lower level.
    • Classroom capacities are adjusted to CDC recommendations and set up to accommodate social distancing.
    • Hard surfaces and high touch areas will be sanitized between gatherings.
    • Different sets of toys will be used for each gathering.

    You can see all of our plans and procedures here.

    Not ready to come back in-person? Our Next Kids team sends out a weekly Next Kids @ Home resource that includes a lesson and activity to do at home. Reach out to kids@thedoor.org to be added to the email list.

    We are still assembling our amazing team of volunteers to serve with us at the gathering. If you’d be willing to serve with us on the Dream Team please email Annika (ajohnson@thedoor.org) and we will find the best fit for you!


    NEW TO NEXTKIDS? Register your kids here for Next Gen programming (one-time signup).  

PLANNING TO JOIN US IN-PERSON?

HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT!


MASKS REQUIRED*          SOCIAL DISTANCING


*Those with medical or health conditions are exempt


FAQs

If there are other questions you have that aren't addressed on this page, email us at info@thedoor.org.


DO I NEED TO RSVP?

No! With restrictions loosening up we are no longer asking people to RSVP to attend Sunday gatherings! We do ask that you continue to wear your face covering and practice social distancing.



WILL THERE BE SINGING?

Yes! Those who wish to sing are invited to join in as they feel comfortable while wearing a mask or face covering and standing socially distant from others. 



WILL THERE BE NEXT KIDS?

YES! Next Kids has Sunday programming available. 


New to Open Door & NextKids? Register your kids here for Next Generation programming (one time sign-up). 



WILL I BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK IF I ATTEND IN-PERSON?

Yes, we ask that anyone age 5+ who attends wear their mask or face covering of choice at all times. Types of face coverings can include a paper or disposable mask, a cloth mask, a neck gaiter, a scarf, a bandanna, or a religious face covering. We understand some medical and health conditions may prohibit one from wearing a mask. If that is you, you are still welcome to attend! 


Masks are no one's first choice and we understand that this can feel different or awkward for some of us. Yet out of humility, care and kindness for one another we can lovingly create a safe and healthy environment that allows more people to enjoy being together by wearing them. We're aware that some of us are older and some of us have personal or family health dynamics that are immune-compromised. This is a very tangible way we can live out the "for the sake of others" piece of our vision statement. Thank you for practicing this with us as we seek to care well for one another! But again, we understand some medical and health conditions may prohibit one from wearing a mask. You are still welcome to attend! 


If masks really aren't your jam, we'd love to have you join us for online services. We will be live-streaming both services. 



WILL THERE BE COFFEE AVAILABLE?

Yes! We have reopened the Coffee Cart. This quarter donations will go to support the Elikya Center.


Also, feel free to bring your own beverage in a closed container.



WHAT ARE THE SAFETY MEASURES YOU ARE TAKING FOR THE IN-PERSON EVENTS?

  • We will be spread out in the sanctuary. Please leave 2-3 seats between your party and others attending.  
  • Masks or face coverings should be worn at all times (those with medical and health conditions are exempt).
  • Drinking fountains are also currently unavailable.
  • Hand sanitizer is available around the building.

We suggest that anyone who is at elevated risk or feeling uncomfortable with large gatherings continue to attend online. While we are observing all of the appropriate safety guidelines for worship services, there is a possibility of contracting COVID-19 while attending. Open Door is taking necessary steps to reduce the risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus and to protect those in attendance. However, we cannot guarantee we are preventing anyone from being exposed to or contracting COVID-19.



OTHER QUESTIONS? Do you have a question we didn't answer here? Email us at info@thedoor.org.