May 13, 2022 Update
Starting Sunday, May 15, we will adopt a mask-optional policy except for the nursery volunteers and GG volunteers serving with kids under 5. Anyone who is more comfortable wearing a mask is completely welcome to continue to do so. Our church community has been patient and respectful navigating through the COVID season and mask policies. Let’s continue to respect the decisions of each attender as we take this next step together.
We are so thankful to have been back at Marshall High School since August 8, 2021. We enjoy a worship service for teens and adults, a children’s service (God’s Garden) for kids ages 3-12, and a nursery for babies and toddlers. We meet at Marshall High School at 10:30am on Sundays to fellowship with one another and worship our triune God. We would love for you to pray about coming and engaging with our Tysons community as we seek to expand Jesus’ Kingdom in this area.
Below, you will find information about our services in FAQ format.
See you soon!
-GCCC Pastoral Staff
FAQ
● Where do we meet? Our main service is in the auditorium at Marshall High School, while kids ages 3 years up to 5th grade meet in the cafeteria. Children 2 years and younger will be in the nursery classroom (Room F105). All children are welcome to worship with their parents in the auditorium.
● Do I have to check in? Yes, we will have a check-in area where everyone will supply their contact information. This will help us better engage with visitors and help with contact tracing.
● Do I have to wear a mask? No, masks are no longer required except for our volunteers who are serving in Nursery. If you are more comfortable wearing a mask, please do so.
● How is seating arranged? The seats in the auditorium are fixed but we ask that people who are not in the same household sit at least 2 seats apart. Children in God’s Garden will also have socially-distanced arranged seating.
● How are communion elements distributed? We will use prepackaged communion elements.
● Do you collect offering during the service? No, we encourage you to continue giving online.
● Is there congregational singing? Yes.
● Can I bring my child(ren)? Children ages 3 and up are welcome to join us in God’s Garden. A nursery classroom is available for children younger than 3 years. Children of any age are welcome to stay with their parents in the main service.
● What do you have for children older than 5th grade? We do not have a separate God’s Garden group for our teens on Sunday mornings, but we have regular youth group meetings (for youth from Arlington and Tysons) on Saturday nights. We encourage our teenagers to worship in the auditorium on Sunday mornings and to serve in other ministries as a way of participating in our community life. Click Here for more info on when and where the youth group meets.
● Where can I park? Parking is available in the main lot directly in front of the school building, just to the left after you turn off Leesburg Pike (Route 7). More parking is available to the right and behind the school, with an entrance through Door 11.
● What happens if there is a known COVID-19 case among our service attendees? We will initiate a communication plan based on the contact information collected from all attendees. We will inform all attendees of the positive case of COVID-19 while maintaining the anonymity of the person.
● Will there be any requirements to be vaccinated or will there be different policies for those that have (not) been vaccinated? There are no requirements for attenders to be vaccinated.
● Might these plans change at some point? Yes, if better practices emerge or if there are changes in the public health situation, we will make appropriate changes.
God’s Garden FAQ
● For what ages do you offer God’s Garden? God’s Garden is open to kids age 3 years through 5th grade. There is also a nursery class available for children younger than 3 years.
● Does my child have to wear a mask? No, only volunteers in our Nursery classroom are required to wear a mask.
● How do I check my child in? We have implemented a touch-free check-in system. When a parent enters the cafeteria, they will receive a printed sticker, which they must put on their own child. This sticker will include the child’s name, parent’s contact number, and any allergy information. New families will be entered into the system by a check-in volunteer. After checking in, each child will be directed to their class table for the day.
● How are the classes set up? Following CDC’s guidelines, we will set up our class tables in a way that allows for proper social distancing and teacher flexibility.
● Do you have hand sanitizer available? Yes, each class table will have hand sanitizer and wipes to allow for cleaning and sanitizing throughout our time together.
● Is there singing? Yes, we believe worship and singing are integral components of spiritual formation and, like our adult service, we have singing.
● How do you run crafts and games? We believe children process and internalize what they learn about Jesus while playing in community. God’s Garden staff and volunteers will plan games, crafts, and activities that use individual rather than shared materials and will maintain social-distancing.
● Do you have snacks? No, snacks will not be served in God’s Garden at this time.
● How do you take children to the restroom? Following the safety policies in our Volunteer Safety Manual, we have a designated female volunteer who will remain “on call” to take children to the restroom in groups of 2 or more as needed. The volunteer will walk children to the restroom and ensure children properly wash their hands after using the restroom. Upon re-entry to God’s Garden, children and volunteers will use hand sanitizer again before rejoining their class.
● Do you have capacity limits? We will maintain adequate adult to child ratios as outlined in our Volunteer Safety Manual, as well as maintain social distancing.
● How do you keep the rooms, furniture, and supplies clean from week to week? In addition to Marshall High School’s cleaning routines, all GCCC volunteers and staff will use hand sanitizer before setting up supplies.
● How do you oversee check-out? All kids will remain at their class areas or tables until their parent or guardian comes to the check-in table. When a parent arrives, their child(ren) will be checked out electronically and their names called to dismiss them to their parents. Families are then asked to leave the God’s Garden space to lessen crowding, maintain social distancing, and help us know which children are still in our care.
● What is your policy regarding vaccines and volunteers?
In an effort to provide additional safety for our children and families, GCCC is requiring that all volunteers in God’s Garden and Youth Ministry do not serve if they have any COVID symptoms.