COVID - 19 Response Plan

It has been an unusual and unprecedented time for us all.  Although this pandemic has greatly affected the manner in which we have done church, it has not stopped us from still being church.  Church is about more than a building or a service; Church is about a people.  Especially now, even more so during these disruptive times, we will continue to be church.

The Province, under the BC Restart Plan, has begun to ease restrictions and gradually re-open businesses, schools, and social venues.  What then is our response as the Tapestry Church?

For the past month, the pastoral staff, the Board of Elders, and other ministry leaders have been praying and seeking God for wisdom and discernment in developing a Made-for-Tapestry Plan.  Two guiding principles in our discernment include the following:

1. The health of our congregation and love for our neighbours is of the highest priority.  Thus, we desire to follow diligently the public health guidelines of our Provincial government.  We encourage our entire Tapestry Church family to do likewise, and to follow the protocols and precautions set out by our Province.

2. Furthermore, the response we take should be in keeping with the mandate of the Church: Worship, Community, and Mission.  Does our response lead to an increased sense of worship, community and belonging, and does it lead to discipleship and evangelism?  In other words, does our response match our vision to make disciples of Jesus that make disciples of Jesus, and so forth?

OUR PLAN

On-line Worship Services

Given the current reality of COVID, and the restrictions in place, we will continue indefinitely to provide a weekly on-line video worship service for people to watch at home, in watch parties, in their zoom small groups, and potentially, in their COVID cohorts.  Despite being physically unable to meet, we as one church are nonetheless united in being able to sing the same songs, pray the same prayers, hear the same sermons, study the same Scriptures, and be literally on the same page.

In-Person Gatherings

Starting on July 1st, we will begin in-person gatherings of up to 50 attendees at our physical locations.  The goal of these gatherings is not to replicate our weekly worship services.  Our weekly worship services will remain the one that is available to watch on-line.  Instead, these in-person gatherings will offer a time of community, reflection, story-telling, and prayer.  For instance, one of these in-person gatherings would be a prayer meeting.  Another, a tail-gait party in the parking lot.

These in-person gatherings will take place both inside our church buildings, and outside in the parking lot and front lawn.  We are presently making the necessary preparations to be in compliance with Provincial regulations.  Again, the health and safety of our congregation is of the utmost importance.

Please continue to check our website, social media accounts, and your inboxes for upcoming events, and how you can register for these in-person gatherings.

COVID Cohorts

Aside from small groups and the in-person gatherings mentioned above, we would also like to encourage another avenue for people to gather together.  Provided that you follow all the governmental guidelines, we want to encourage the formation of something called “COVID Cohorts.”   These COVID Cohorts would consist of a maximum of 6 persons who would covenant together for this season, with the purpose to help each other grow deeper in their discipleship to Christ.  These COVID Cohorts would consistently meet together to pray, study scripture, find support and accountability, and grow in faith.  After all, growing as disciples of Jesus is not something we were meant to do alone.

For more information on COVID Cohorts and how to belong to one, please go to the Cohort page here.

These are indeed strange and surreal times.  Yet, our prayer and hope is that the global Christian church, including the Tapestry, would continue to gather, declare, and exhibit God’s love to the world, especially given what is taking place right now on our planet.  Thank you for your continued prayers, support, patience and most of all, choosing to continue to grow as disciples of Jesus!