Gateway In-Person Services

Updated November 26, 2020 to reflect Alberta CMOH Order 38-2020 regarding masks.

Starting on June 28th, Gateway will be launching its in-person services, while still maintaining its online live streams and online kids resources. As such, everyone will have the opportunity to either attend Gateway in-person, or continue joining us online.

To be clear, attending an in-person service is entirely voluntary. We will do everything in our power to ensure the safety of individuals attending Gateway in-person, however if you do not feel comfortable or safe – we strongly encourage you to remain at home for the time being and continue joining us online.

If you choose to attend Gateway in-person, please read the following information and follow the instructions to help ensure the safety of our church family.

Are you a parent? Read our Gateway Kids Launch Plan:

Before joining us in-person, please pay attention to these instructions:

• Do not attend if any of the following apply*:
• You are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19,
• You have travelled internationally in the past 14 days, or
• You have been in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case in the past 14 days.
• Do not attend if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms: Cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose, sore throat
• Before attending, use the Alberta Self-Assessment Tool and follow its instructions. Do not attend in-person if you feel unwell.

*Please note – failure to comply with these requirements jeopardizes other people’s safety, and could subject you to penalties under Alberta Law. Should any of these conditions apply to you, please remain at home and contact HealthLink (811) for further guidance.

If you are considered High-Risk – please use Personal Protective Equipment (mask, gloves, etc) if attending in-person, or continue attending online. We will also have masks available in the coming weeks at the Greeters desk upon request.

In accordance with both Edmonton Bylaw 19408 and Alberta’s CMOH Order 38-2020, both Edmonton and Alberta are requiring all people wear a face covering at all times while in an indoor public space. As such, Gateway will be making masks available at the Greeters Desk & Info Desk upon request.

You are exempt from wearing a mask if:

• You are unable to place, use. or remove a face covering without assistance
• You are unable to wear a face covering due to a mental or physical concern or limitation
• You are providing or receiving care or assistance where a face mask would hinder that care-giving or assistance
• You are consuming food or drink
• You are a child under two years of age

For more information on masks & exemptions, please refer to CMOH Order 38-2020, located here, or visit alberta.ca/masks.

Please note – all volunteers and staff will be required to wear a mask except when singing, speaking or preaching while on stage; or while separated from every other person by a physical barrier.

Two Meter Social Distancing is mandatory, and as such we have done everything possible to help make this as simple as possible.

• Entry/Exit
  • The Southern Foyer/Auditorium door will be designated and marked as the sole entrance into the building. The Northern Foyer/Auditorium door will be designated and marked as the sole exit from the building. Doors will be clearly marked, and only the authorized entry door will be unlocked.
  • Hand-sanitizer will be available at the entry doors, and all greeters/ushers at the doors will maintain two-meter distancing at all times.
• Paths & Lineups
  • We have marked specific one-way pathways through the foyer & auditorium to help ensure social distancing. Please respect these pathways at all times, even when inconvenient.
  • Any place that may require a lineup will have clearly marked social distancing spaces to help establish clear, socially-distanced lineups.
• Auditorium
  • All auditorium seating will be set up in socially distanced 7 seat pods.
    • Each pod will provide enough space for two small family groups to sit together (1-2 people), or one larger family group (3+)
    • If you are sitting alone or with one other person, please sit towards either edge of the pod. This allows two separate groups of 1-2 people to sit in one pod.
  • Families will have the opportunity to sit in special Family Pods, containing 7 chairs and a smaller table with some activities for children. 
  • Please ensure you sit at least three chairs away from the nearest individual that is not a part of your family/cohort.
• Bathrooms
  • The Gateway Bathrooms are considered high-risk areas, as they lack space for social distancing. We ask everyone to use the bathroom before coming to church, and avoid using the bathrooms unless necessary.
  • Please be courteous if using the bathroom and take extra care in giving people their space.
• Room Closures
  • Certain rooms will be closed to help ensure the safety of our church family. These include:
    • Church Office & Mothers Room
    • Kitchen
    • All Kids Rooms (Nursery, Preschool, Classrooms 1 & 2)

GatewayKids

• All GatewayKids programming will be starting on August 2nd following a number of stringent social distancing and protective measures. Read about our Gateway Kids Safety Measures here
• All children under the age of 2 must remain with their parents at all times. We ask that all parents keep their children from wandering.

Hospitality Team

We will be operating with a reduced hospitality team for this time, who will follow the following guidelines:

• Greeters/Ushers
  • Greeters and ushers will operate in reduced numbers and will be provided with masks and gloves to help ensure their safety.
  • All greeters and ushers will be instructed to avoid physical contact (handshakes, hugs, etc)
  • Greeters and ushers will be tasked with helping people upon entry, answering questions, helping people to find seats (to avoid bottlenecks), and providing visual screening of individuals
• Info Desk
  • The Info Desk will operate in reduced numbers and will be provided with masks and gloves to help ensure their safety.
  • The Info Desk will be tasked with helping facilitate in-person giving (Debit/Credit), answering questions, and handing out physical connect cards/prayer cards upon request.
• Cafe
  • The Cafe will be open with a reduced staff and all Cafe workers will be provided with gloves and masks to help ensure their safety
  • Food will not be available at this time, however drinks will be available for order.
  • All sugar, cream, stir sticks, and lids will be only available upon request so as to prevent exposure.

The church will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before and after each service in accordance with all government regulations. High-touch/shared surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, toilet handles, faucets, taps and toys/kids equipment, will be cleaned and disinfected throughout the service. 

Shared items such as envelopes, connect cards, or prayer cards will only be available by request at the info desk. All payment terminals will be cleaned after each use.

We reserve the right to turn anyone away from the church if they appear to be sick or in violation of any public health orders. This will be strictly enforced so as to ensure the health and safety of our church family. Should an issue arise where someone is asked to leave but refuses, local law enforcement will be notified in accordance with Alberta Law.

While we will do everything in our power to ensure the safety of you and your family, we remind everyone that you are ultimately responsible for doing your part in order to ensure your safety. We strongly encourage everyone to follow each of these guidelines, as they will help protect both you, your family, and everyone around you at Gateway.

By attending Gateway in-person, you agree that Gateway cannot be held responsible for any potential exposure to COVID-19 at one of our services.

Should we be informed of potential exposure to COVID-19 at one of our services, we will immediately inform the entire church via email, and request that anyone who attended that service get tested for COVID-19.

Are you a parent? Read our Gateway Kids Launch Plan: