Events

Are you or your group planning to meet in person at church? Follow these procedures for indoor and outdoor gatherings during this time of COVID-19:

Indoor Gatherings

• First step: a contact person should reserve the space with the church office.
• The following spaces can be used: Farmhouse Common Room (up to 7 people); Sanctuary (up to 41 people if singles, 50 people if some are couples or in the same bubble); Lion Hall (up to 25 people). All other rooms are too small for group use.
• Maintain social distancing of six feet between people except those in the same family/bubble. Six-foot bamboo poles are available in the Sanctuary and the Lion Hall to measure safe distances.
• It is recommended everyone wear masks until seated. Once seated at a distance of at least six feet from others not in your bubble, masks may be removed. Masks are available at the entry to the church for FUCV members who have forgotten theirs.
• For each event, a contact tracing list shall be kept by the contact person to each register participant – name, phone number and email address. This list will be given to church office staff and kept in the church office for a minimum of 6 weeks. 
• When church buildings are entered all touch surfaces (such as door handles, tables, backs of chairs) shall be cleaned using a dilute bleach solution [30 ml of bleach in a litre of water, or one cup of bleach in one gallon of water] in a labeled spray bottle and cloth rags.
• Washrooms should only be used in emergency situations.
• If the washroom is used the following shall be cleaned using a dilute bleach solution: toilet, toilet handle, water faucet, paper towel dispenser, both sides of the washroom door knob.

Cleaning protocols. Groups that meet in the Sanctuary, Lion Hall or the Farmhouse Common Room are responsible for cleaning washrooms, the church and room doors on arrival and again before leaving. 

• There is a single dilute bottle of bleach and a wipe in each area open for meetings. Pump bottles of hand sanitizer will be provided in each area. 
• Each person who uses a washroom is responsible for their own cleaning before and after use.
• Each group is responsible for sanitizing door knobs they use and chairs and tables they touch.
• Before the meeting and after each use, ensure that restrooms are sanitized, and that touch surfaces are cleaned using a dilute bleach solution (door handles, tables, chairs, sink, faucets, toilet flush handles, etc.). Each bathroom will be supplied with bleach solution and a wipe. 
• Entry Doors: Leave entry doors open as much as possible to minimize touch contact. For example, all church entrance doors should be left open. Hand sanitizer bottles will be supplied for each area of use, including the space you are using.
• Identify areas such as entries/exits or lobbies where crowding and bottlenecks might occur; use volunteers or barriers to redirect people who may gather in these areas. For larger groups, control entry to and exit from the meeting area before and after group activities. Consider staggering time of arrival or departure.
• Greetings: Members should refrain from shaking hands, hugging or similar actions.
• Food Services: Kitchen facilities will remain closed. Members attending meetings should be encouraged to provide their own beverages and food and not share them with other members.

Outdoor Gatherings

• • First step: A contact person should reserve the space with the church office.
  • Outdoor gatherings are limited to a maximum of 50 people.
  • Maintain social distancing of six feet between people except those in the same family/bubble.
  • It is recommended to wear masks until seated, then masks may be removed, but people may wish to wear masks at all times. People are encouraged to wear masks outdoors on pathways and in parking lots. 
  • Participants shall bring their own chairs and/or blankets.
  • Participants shall bring their own food, drink, dishes, and utensils.
  • Garbage bags must be taken to each event; they will not be provided by the church.
  • For each event a contact tracing list shall be kept by the contact person to register each individual’s name, phone number and email address of each participant. This list will be handed over to the church office staff and kept in the church office for a minimum of six weeks.
  • If any church buildings are entered all touch surfaces (such as door handles) shall be cleaned using a dilute bleach solution [one cup of bleach in a gallon of water or 30 ml of bleach in 1 litre of water] in a labeled spray bottle and cloth rags.
  • Washrooms should only be used in emergency situations. Each person who uses a washroom is responsible for their own cleaning before and after use.
  • If the washroom is used the following shall be cleaned using a dilute bleach solution: toilet, toilet handle, water faucet, paper towel dispenser, both sides of the washroom door knob.  

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The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed how we gather and connect. Through it all, rest assured that the church staff and community are still here for you — virtually and by phone. Here is how to connect with the community:

Sunday worship:

We continue to gather online at 10:30 a.m. every Sunday. The Zoom connection info will be emailed to all members and friends on Friday or Saturday.  You can connect by phone or online.  Check your inbox and then please join us.

Click here for more info.

Kids and Families:

Social Justice Storytime: Picture book stories for all ages. Gather at 8:15 am Monday – Saturday.
Click here for more info.

Pub Night:

Meets on Zoom on the first and third Mondays at 7 pm each month for informal social connection.  Email hopewell@telus.net to receive the Zoom link. 

Pastoral Care:

Contact one of our ministers–

• Rev. Shana: cell (call or text) 250-891-6331
• Rev. Melora: cell (call or text): 250-891-6330

For other enquires:

 

Communications and Church Business

Our church office and staff continue to work to keep us connected. Our weekly, newsletter, and sometimes special messages will be sent out to keep you posted on what is happening and how to remain plugged in to the community. Be sure to check the Church Calendar for upcoming Zoom meetings. 

Our office staff will be working remotely and you can still reach them during their regular work hours — their email addresses are unchanged. You can leave voicemail messages on the church phone 250-744-2665 as they will be retrieved each business day (not Friday or Saturday). 

You can reach Shannon about all Communications needs (setting up a Zoom meeting, sending out messages to the congregation, database, social media) at communications@victoriaunitarian.ca. 

You can reach Church Administrator, Niki, for questions about cheque requisitions, rental concerns, general office needs, or property questions that have arisen even while we don’t meet on West Saanich Road. Niki can be reached at churchoffice@victoriaunitarian.ca.

More than anything, we want you to know that we are still here for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with a call, text, or email if you want to connect.

– Rev. Melora and Rev. Shana

 

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