COVID-19 Statement Update April 26, 2023
While the province of Ontario has taken measures to be able to live with and manage COVID-19 for the long-term, the congregation of Gale Presbyterian still needs to do its part to protect ourselves and others, especially during respiratory illness season.
This includes using the layers of protection that we know help keep ourselves and others healthy:
- staying up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots
- wearing a tight-fitting, well-constructed mask in indoor public settings, especially anyone at higher risk of severe infection
- screening daily for signs of illness and staying home when you are sick
- washing your hands often
- covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze
- regularly cleaning high touch surfaces
COVID-19 Statement Update November 25, 2022
In light of the recent increase in COVID, flu and RSV infections, as well as the increase in hospitalizations due to these illnesses, the Gale Session and Board of Managers are strongly recommending masking during public worship. This message also comes from the Medical Health Officer of Waterloo Region who “strongly recommends wearing face masks in all public settings, including schools and in childcare settings.” Members and adherents are also encouraged to self-screen for symptoms before attending, social distance when possible and keep vaccinations up-to-date. Using these tools, we hope to keep everyone in the congregation and the most vulnerable in our community safe and healthy.
COVID-19 Statement update September 6, 2022
Masks are encouraged (not required): COVID-19 continues to spread in our community and Ontario’s COVID-19 Wastewater Signals are trending up. The advice of the Ontario Science panel continues to wear a mask when in a public indoor setting. The more people wearing masks, the lower the risk of transmitting COVID-19. Therefore, the Session continues to encourage worshippers to wear a well-fitted mask for the protection of all.
Passive Screening: If you are not feeling well or you have any COVID-19 Symptoms, you are invited to worship online with us using the livestream.
Seated & Social Distanced Food or Drink: Coffee Hour, Messy Church and other food events are allowed inside.
COVID-19 Statement update June 20, 2022
This week the Session has updated Gale’s COVID-19 policy to include the following guidelines.
Effective Sunday, June 26
Masks are encouraged
COVID-19 continues to spread in our community and Ontario’s COVID-19 Wastewater Signals are trending up. The advice of the Ontario Science panel continues to wear a mask when in a public indoor setting. The more people wearing masks, the lower the risk of transmitting COVID-19. Therefore, the Session continues to encourage worshippers to wear a well-fitted mask for the protection of all.
Passive Screening
If you are not feeling well or you have any COVID-19 Symptoms, you are invited to worship online with us using the livestream.
Seated & Social Distanced Food or Drink
Gale will continue with outside food and drink during the summer for Fellowship Hour, weather permitting.
Shared Items
Hymnals will be back in the pews. There will be no printed bulletins and the offering plate will remain at the back of the church.
Session will continue to monitor all COVID-19 recommendations by health officials and the science table on a monthly basis.
COVID-19 Statement update April 13, 2022
Session has made some changes to our COVID guidelines:
- Masks (except for worship leaders)
- Passive screening
- Maximize ventilation
- Take out only for food and drink
- Standard cleaning
- Congregational singing (w/ masks)
- Choral singing (w/o masks)
- No shared items (bulletins, hymnals, offering plates)
Sunday School children will begin in the sanctuary at the beginning of the worship service
and then move downstairs for Sunday School.
COVID-19 Statement update March 23, 2022
This week the Session has updated Gale’s COVID-19 policy to include the following guidelines:
- Passive screening: Please be sure to screen yourself for any COVID-19 symptoms before coming in the building.
- Masks: We will continue to ask that everyone wear a well fitted mask when indoors. An exception will be made for worship leaders, performers and young children.
- Social distancing: Keeping a distance of 2m from persons in other households is still recommended.
- Congregational singing: The congregation will be invited to sing softly in worship while keeping their masks on.
- Food and drink: We will be resuming take-out meals like Tuesday lunches and the pork dinner.
- Ventilation: The wall between the fellowship hall and the sanctuary will be opened to increase ventilation. The HVAC fans will also be running during worship.
- Shared items: We will continue to refrain from passing offering plates and using hymnbooks in the pews.
- Vaccination status: We will no longer be checking vaccination status for those using the building.
- Contact tracing: You no longer need to sign as you enter the building.
Sunday School children will begin in the sanctuary at the beginning of the worship service
and then move downstairs for Sunday School.
Our hope is that as we get closer to Easter, further restrictions will be removed to allow for additional events and programming.
COVID-19 Statement update March 1, 2022
Proof of vaccination is required
Mask wearing is mandatory
Physical distanced seating
No food or singing at this time
Sunday School children will begin in the sanctuary at the beginning of the worship service
and then move downstairs for Sunday School.
COVID-19 Statement update January 25, 2022
Session has decided that in order to continue to keep everyone as safe as possible and out of concern for our hospitals and healthcare workers, Gale Church will remain closed.
Until further notice, worship services will be pre-recorded and available online each Sunday. We invite you to worship with us at 10:30 am on our YouTube channel.
COVID-19 Statement update January 4, 2022
Based on the rising numbers of Omicron and the easy spread of this variant, Session has made the decision to close Gale Church, effective immediately.
Until further notice, worship services will be pre-recorded and available online each Sunday.
We invite you to worship with us at 10:30 am on our YouTube channel.
COVID-19 Statement update November 25, 2021
Gale Presbyterian Church has re-opened to public worship.
In a continued effort to keep everyone safe and to also permit more people to attend church, Session has decided that proof of vaccination will be required for those 12 years and up attending Sunday morning worship services.
This will begin on December 12th.
You will only need to show proof of vaccination one time as we will keep record of your status. Mask wearing will still be required.
We continue to invite you to join us at 10:30 am either in the sanctuary or from your home on our YouTube channel
All necessary protocols and limitations will be in place in order to keep everyone safe and healthy. Details can be found here or by calling our office at 519-669-2852.
COVID-19 Statement April 1, 2021:
In light of the provincewide shutdown, Gale has decided to remain closed for the foreseeable future. We continue to offer pre-recorded worship services on our YouTube channel.
COVID-19 Statement March 25, 2021:
Gale Presbyterian Church is happy to be re-opening to public worship on Easter, April 4th, 10:30 a.m. We invite you to join us either in the sanctuary or from your home on our YouTube channel.
All necessary protocols and limitations will be in place in order to keep everyone safe and healthy. Details can be found here or by calling our office at 519-669-2852.
COVID-19 Statement March 2, 2021:
At our Session meeting on February 23rd, 2021 we discussed the option of re-opening our Sunday worship to public attendance and live-streaming our services. It was decided that although our region is no longer in “stay-at-home” we could remain closed to public worship and continue with pre-recorded worship on YouTube.
We share the concerns of the medical community regarding the danger of the spread of variants of the COVID19 virus. We will reconsider this decision regularly.
Thank you for your patience.
COVID-19 Statement December 22, 2020:
Gale Presbyterian Church will be closed during the time Ontario is in lockdown. When our region is moved from lockdown to condition red, we will reassess the building closure and in-house live worship.
Through this we will ensure there is worship available online via our YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/GalePresbyterian)
COVID-19 Statement December 16, 2020:
Session has decided to suspend public in-house worship services until the Region of Waterloo is no longer in Red-Control level of the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework. Pre-recorded services will be available on our YouTube channel beginning Sunday mornings at 10:30.
https://www.youtube.com/user/GalePresbyterian
(Our Christmas Eve services will be ready to watch on YouTube at 7:00 PM Thursday, December 24th)
COVID-19 Statement August 19, 2020:
We will be resuming public worship services in our sanctuary on September 13 at 10:30 am. Please click here for more details about what to expect if you come to the church for worship.
COVID-19 Statement June 11, 2020:
Despite the loosening of restrictions regarding public gatherings, Gale Presbyterian Church intends to remain closed and conduct live worship online at this time.
COVID-19 Statement March 16, 2020:
The Session at Gale Church agreed to “suspend all public gatherings, meetings and worship.” This includes Sunday worship, Tuesday Table, Messy Church, choir and bell practices and all meetings.
Gale Presbyterian Church is watching closely as the situation develops regarding the COVID-19 virus pandemic. We will make all reasonable precautions to minimize risk of exposure to people who attend events in our facility.
Rev. Sinclair is available at all times for pastoral concerns. He can be contacted by phone at 519-998-5323.
The Gale Sanctuary is a spiritual focus and home for us. It is a serene and meaningful space. We will continue to conduct Sunday worship services online from our sanctuary.
The Region of Waterloo Public Health Services provides updates as well as other health safety practices and resources at:
https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?newsId=cd3ecf7e-45c6-4eb8-9a5f-166ff1b7787e#