COVID-19 Protocols for
Marietta  First United Methodist Church

Our church leadership has established protocols during this continuing struggle with COVID-19. These protocols are created with feedback from health professionals, church staff, lay leadership and congregational surveys so that people will feel safe while on the MFUMC campus. In the spirit of extravagant hospitality and out of love for our neighbor, we ask that you please follow these protocols to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our congregation and our community.

January 8, 2022

While we all had hoped for a new year without COVID-19, the Omicron variant of this virus has been rapidly spreading throughout Georgia and Cobb County. This is a highly transmissible version of the virus that is infecting young and old - and even some of the fully vaccinated and boosted. The Transition Team is continuing to meet and review the data so that we may make recommendations to our MFUMC congregation and revise protocols, as needed. 

Here are our current COVID protocols: 

·    We will continue in-person worship in the Sanctuary and Communion in the Latimer Chapel.  During worship, there will be socially distanced seating available in the balcony and in the back pews.  

·    Sunday School classes will continue to meet.  Some classes and small groups are choosing to meet virtually at this time.  

·    For those attending worship in person, we continue to encourage the wearing of masks, which will be available at all church entrances should you forget one.  

·    Please wash and sanitize your hands frequently using the stations available throughout the church. 

While we all desire to worship here in person, this may not be the best choice right now.  In addition to this virus, it is the season for flu and common colds.  In this current environment, your “just a cold” is often not just a cold due to the similarities between these illnesses.  

·    Symptoms of COVID-19 and other current illnesses include:  Fever, Headache, Sore throat, Cough, Congestion or runny nose, Fatigue, Chills, Nausea or vomiting, Diarrhea, Shortness of breath, Recent loss of taste or smell

So, we ask you PLEASE, if you have any of the above symptoms, please enjoy worship from your home via our live streaming service.  Those at higher risk for severe illness should also worship online at this time. 

We ask that if have been to any church activities and are diagnosed with COVID-19, have recent symptoms of COVID-19, or you learn you were in close contact (within six feet for over 15 minutes) with someone recently diagnosed positive for COVID-19, please contact Becky Sawyer, Director of Church Operations, within 24 hours (770-429-7800 ext 824). Your name will be kept confidential. Becky will alert potentially exposed church members to quarantine per public health guidelines.