As of June 13, 2021, the First Presbyterian Church of Everett is on Step 3 of our reopening plan . This means that our  sanctuary is open for up to 70 people to attend in-person worship. There is an online RSVP/registration process for us to monitor numbers and keep a record for contact tracing purposes. All attendees are asked to sign a Covenant of Care to be filed in the office.  A link to the Covenant of Care can be found below and we will have copies at the doors before worship. Anyone entering the building will be checked off the RSVP list or required to sign-in. We will accommodate persons who did not RSVP only if there is space available. Otherwise, those individuals will be put on the worship list for the upcoming week.

What to Expect for In-person Worship:

We will have a table in the back of the sanctuary with a one-use paper bulletin and a collection plate for offerings. Please use pre-marked seating in the pews. We ask for all to maintain a 6- foot social distance. Hand sanitizer will be readily available. During Step 3, all attending will follow these guidelines:

Step 3 – Limited Seating 
Our sanctuary has a large enough footprint to allow up to 70 people in worship. This metric is based on the square footage model advanced by our presbytery. Greeters will welcome worshippers through the Rockefeller door. We will continue an online reservation form and weekly sign-in procedures to maintain a trackable list of those attending each week. Face masks will be worn throughout the service, social distancing maintained, and seating in designated spaces only. Singing of hymns, with face masks on, will be allowed. Individual communion cups will be available to take home after worship on communion Sundays. During Step 3, we will continue to  follow all procedures in Step 2 (see below).

Step 2 Procedures:
1. Everyone is required to wear a face mask covering their nose and mouth.
2. Seating is limited. We will leave three to five ‘spaces’ free in the RSVP process for walk up or visitor seating.
3. There will be no choir. To be consistent with Washington State, we will use solos, duets, and quartets for worship.
5. There will be no touching during the passing of the peace.
6. We will not formally celebrate the Lord’s Supper.
7. Facility use is limited to the sanctuary only. There will be no in-person coffee time, Sunday school, children’s ministry, or nursery. All children are welcome and encouraged to sit/be with their family.
8. The main entrance for worship will be through the Rockefeller doors with mobility access through the south Bell Tower doors.
9. Doors will open at 9:30am and the building will close by 11:30am.
10.Virtual worship, our Zoom coffee time and Sunday school will continue as scheduled.

Please note, our numbers and our process will be flexible. We will prayerfully work to respect state, county, city, and Presbytery requirements and adjust for demand and safety. We will evaluate weekly and adjust. In time, we will proceed to Step 3.

 Here is an Overview of our Four-step Reopening Plan:

• Step 1 – No In-Person Worship (Beginning March 22, 2020) 
• Step 2 – Studio Audience (Beginning April 25, 2021) 
• Step 3 – Limited Seating  (Beginning June 13, 2021)
• Step 4 – Open Seating  (Start date not yet scheduled)

Below, you find links to three important documents regarding our reopening plan. Please take the time to thoroughly and thoughtfully read these documents:

1. A letter from Pastor Alan, regarding entering Step 2 of reopening plan. (March 2021)
2. The updates and detailed reopening plan. (March 2021)
3. The Covenant of Care.

Our reopening plan is written out of love for our church family, our neighbor in the pew, and a call to discipleship. We have an opportunity to demonstrate selfless love to our brothers and sisters in Christ. While we might not agree 100% with some of the things in this reopening plan, we will defer to it because our plan creates a place where people can feel safe to come and gather for worship.

Please be mindful, if you are uncomfortable being in public gatherings during this time, then please feel free to remain at home and come when you feel it is safe for you to do so. We are maintaining our commitment to livestreaming and virtual worship services for all.