Phase One: Front Lawn Gatherings

While we continue to meet in the Weekly Gathering format for the sake of our physical and spiritual health, we eagerly anticipate warmer weather (and vaccine distribution!) in the near future. Beginning March 1st, we’ll begin Phase One of the plan for post-pandemic church life, as laid out below.

Weekly Gatherings: Ending February 26th

Weekly Gatherings have served as a valuable way to safely gather through the colder months, but these gatherings will end as we move outside to gather at one time on Sundays. Continue to join us for Weekly Gatherings until the end of February!

Missional Communities: Resuming March 1st

As warmer weather arrives, Missional Communities will once again be able to safely gather outdoors. If you’re not already part of an MC, visit our MC page to get connected!

Front Lawn Gatherings: Resuming March 7th

Beginning in March, we will return to Front Lawn Gatherings on Sundays at 11 am, which will look largely the same as our Front Lawn Gatherings of 2020. To learn more about these gatherings, read the details below.

Where to Go

We will gather each week outside on the front lawn of 606 Ridgeway Ave in Columbia. We have two parking lots available – one with entrances on Hirth Ave and Donnelly Ave next to our Main Building and another along Worley Ave behind the Activities Building. Make your way to the large grassy area when you arrive, and stop by one of the tables for a communion cup and song book!

What to Bring

Each household will need to bring its own seating (a lawn chair or blanket). Everyone is also encouraged to bring supplies appropriate for the weather. In colder weather, you may wish to bring a hat and gloves, blanket, and a hot drink. During warmer weather, you may wish to have a water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray. Also, per the city ordinance, face masks are required at all times when not in your household’s seating area (this does not apply to children under ten or those with a medical condition that prevents mask wearing).

Seating

Markers will be placed on the front lawn to assist in social distancing and to indicate available space for seating. We’re asking households to sit directly around that marker, allowing for plenty of space for others to move about the lawn as they also take their seat near a marker. Ushers will be on hand to assist in finding a seating area. If you’ve been quarantining near or with other households during this season, you can sit together during the gathering; however, we request no more than two households in each designated seating area.

Karis Kids

As we continue to practice the recommended social distancing guidelines, there will be no Karis Kids until further notice. Families with children of all ages are welcome to attend the Gathering, though we ask parents to be responsible for ensuring children are also practicing social distancing to the greatest extent possible. Activity bags will be provided for families at the Gathering, and a video and book series will be available for parents to use at home with their kids - find out more and order your books here!

Building Access

The main building will be available for bathroom use only through the South (ADA) Entrance. The bathrooms are cleaned and disinfected regularly.

Order of Worship

Front Lawn Gatherings will include singing, preaching, prayer, and communion. In an effort to make the Gathering more kid friendly, our time together will be limited to 60 minutes. This includes a shorter sermon and a greater emphasis on musical worship. Song lyrics can be found in the song books provided on the tables when you arrive, or under the Gatherings tab on the Church Center app.

Communion

A communion table will be set up near the seating area on the front lawn. Until further notice, we’ll be utilizing pre-packaged communion cups that include individual servings of juice and a wafer. As you arrive, you can stop by the table to pick up a cup. We’ll give instructions each week for taking the Lord’s Supper together towards the end of the Gathering.

After the Gathering

We encourage you to stick around and spend time with others. However, it’s important to wear a mask and maintain social distancing at all times.

Inclement Weather

In cases of inclement weather, Front Lawn Gatherings will be moved online only. Stay tuned for announcements made via social media and email when weather is questionable. Follow our Facebook Page and YouTube Channel to watch our livestream gatherings!

Additional phases of the plan for post-pandemic church life will be revealed in the coming months as we receive clarity about the effects of the vaccine distribution. Continue to follow public health measures and continue to nurture your faith as we wait for a time of celebration coming soon!