How can groups love, serve, and pray for one another and others (Rom. 12:9-13) while still being wise and loving (and honoring the authorities – see also Romans 13:1-8) by using strategies like social distancing to try to minimize any health risk we may pose to others?

For the time being, for any groups gathering during the Grow Group season break, we’re still recommending connecting digitally. (Keep up with our latest recommendations on our COVID-19 page.) Thankfully, we live in a time and place where we have lots of options for this – from phone calls to text messages to video calls, there are many alternative ways we can maintain connection in order to encourage, motivate, and love one another (Heb. 10:24-25), even at a distance. So let’s use them! (For help getting started, see our previous post here.)

If your group (of 25 or fewer) is facing conditions that make it crucial to gather in person, here are the health guidelines to follow, both for the good of those who are gathering and also for the good of all the people you’ll interact with after you gather. (Based on CDC protection guidance, guidance from NE DHHS, and the latest DHM).

• Do not attend if you (or anyone in your household):

  • have recently had any symptoms of respiratory illness such as cough, fever (be sure to check before gathering!), sore throat, shortness of breath, or runny nose (see CDC illness guidance),

  • have traveled in the past 14 days somewhere with high activity of COVID-19,

  • have any reason to believe you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days, or

  • are in an at-risk group (esp. older adults or those with underlying health conditions like heart or lung disease, diabetes).

• Fully disinfect all surfaces before and after your gathering (see CDC’s protection guidance or complete disinfection guidance).

• Maintain at least 6 feet of social distance between households and their belongings. This includes avoiding contact such as handshakes and hugs.

• Practice good hygiene:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water (for at least 20 seconds) upon arrival at the gathering and upon returning home.

  • Either wash hands or make use of hand sanitizer as appropriate during the gathering (see CDC’s handwashing guidance).

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

  • Cover any cough or sneeze with a tissue (and discard immediately) or your sleeve, and wash hands immediately.

• Consider wearing a cloth face covering, particularly when other social distancing measures may be difficult to maintain (see CDC’s page on cloth face coverings).

• Avoid serving food or drinks if possible. At minimum, any food or drinks should be served individually using disposable products, good hygiene, and social distancing.

If you have any questions or need further guidance or clarification, please don’t hesitate to contact us.