ECCC Covid Protocols Update (Mar. 12, 2022)
The City of Edmonton has removed the mandatory masking by-law for indoor public places as of March 8. However, we strongly recommend that everyone age 2+ continue to wear a mask while attending ECCC as a courtesy to others who may not feel comfortable.
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In response to the provincial Covid 19 guidelines updated on February, 8th, 2022,
Effective Monday, February 14th,
Building capacity will return to normal
Registration for worship will no longer be required
Ministries may choose to resume in person at full capacity (updates to come from various ministries)
Effective Tuesday, March 1st,
Gym will be open for booking for internal ministries only
Ministries may choose to allow food to be consumed/serve on site
March 12, 2022
Dear brothers and sisters,
As we approach the throne of God with a posture of humility in anticipation of the Christmas season, we want to connect with you and bring clarity to a number of requests and questions we are receiving.
Gathering restrictions still mean we adhere as a Place of Worship. But this also means we can have ⅓ capacity indoors with masks and distancing. However, there is still no food service permitted at ECCC activities and we are not implementing REP at this time.
We admit there has been confusion and members have brought packaged snacks to share with good intentions–we ask for everyone’s grace. We have consulted Public Health and we want to make it clear that there is still NO serving of food permitted for faith-based activities other than communion at a worship service. The kitchens are NOT open for use at this time.
We understand this can be very disappointing, but with the emergence of the Omicron variant coupled with the upcoming Christmas season, we must continue to observe restrictions. As we have said before, we do not know how long this will go on. What we do know is that we will do our best to respond to your concerns and pray alongside you.
We want to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ together. We long for the gatherings–the food and festivities in person! But we must continue to play our part in protecting the health-care system while showing love to our neighbours. We acknowledge that we are in the midst of a pandemic and people have different levels of fear and comfort. We are thankful that we can still gather in-person and online in various ways still, and we invite you to celebrate our Lord’s birth on Christmas Eve with us:
Cantonese Christmas Eve Service: Dec 24 @ 5:30 pm in Sanctuary and Livestream
English Christmas Eve Service: Dec 24 @ 7:30 pm in Auditorium and Livestream
Mandarin Christmas Eve Service: Dec 24 @ 7:30 pm in Lower Hub and on Zoom (ID: 7804653222 Password:193740)
We know this can be a difficult and lonely time for some members. We remain true to our vision in obedience to an all-loving, almighty, and all-knowing God, as One church for God’s glory through life-sharing discipleship. Whether online or in-person, with or without food, the ECCC family is one body and here for you, always. If you or a brother or sister you know need prayer or help, or if you have further concerns, please know we are here for you. Please reach out to our elders, pastors, and leaders anytime. Let us love and take care of one another.
Merry Christmas,
ECCC
December 17,2021
Dear brothers and sisters,
COVID-19 has impacted us as the ECCC family in so many ways. It is a difficult time for everyone. In this time, it is more important than ever that we approach the throne of God with a posture of humility and prayer.
You probably have many questions. However, we want to be honest with you. We do not have all the answers. We do not know how long this will go on. What we do know is that we will do our best to respond to your concerns and pray alongside you. We also know that this is the time for us now, more than ever, to come together as one church for God’s glory.
We have been asked several times about vaccinations and requirements. Firstly, as a place of worship, we are not included to be part of Alberta’s Restrictions Exemptions Program. Secondly, as ECCC, vaccination is not required to join us in worship, fellowship or any church activities. We remain true to our mission: To build a Christian community by reaching the people of Edmonton and beyond with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. As it stands, we do not turn away or exclude anyone from church--Gentile or Jew, leper or healthy, vaccinated or unvaccinated. (Acts 15:19)
At the same time, we acknowledge that we are in the midst of a pandemic and people have different levels of fear and comfort. As ECCC, we strongly recommend vaccinations for those who are eligible. We can all play a part in protecting the health care system while showing love for members of our ECCC family. We continue to pray for those serving on the frontlines of our overwhelmed ICUs and hospitals.
The topics we covered here can be divisive and tough. There is information being shared from all sorts of directions and sources. These are uncharted waters and there is no answer that will please everyone. We pray that in this time, no matter where you are in your journey or what you may feel or think about another person’s journey, that the Lord will make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. (I Thess. 3:12)
If you or a brother or sister you know need prayer or help, or if you have further concerns, please know we are here for you. As always, please reach out to our elders, pastors, and leaders anytime.
Let us love and take care of one another,
ECCC
September 29th, 2021
September 16th, 2021
Brothers and sisters,
In response to recent Alberta COVID-19 public health actions, Edmonton Christian Community Church is making the following temporary changes, effective Friday, September 17, 2021:
1. Worship Services will continue online and in-person at ⅓ capacity with masking and social distancing. The auditorium can have 100 people only, and we will open the partition for the gym in addition to this to accommodate those who may want more space. The sanctuary will accommodate 100 people only. Please visit eccchurch.ca to reserve your Eventbrite tickets ahead of time. Elevation will be on pause, and we welcome Grade 7 and up to our regular Worship Service in-person or online. Nursery is closed.
2. Sunday School. English Sunday School will be online. Some of the Cantonese and Mandarin Sunday School will be online and in-person following the guideline of 1/3 capacity, mask and social distance. Please contact your related teachers for details.
3. All Saturday and Sunday Preschool to Grade 6 services/programs will only be offered online. Awana and Kaio will be moved online. Please visit eccckids.com for more information.
4. All other fellowships, cell groups and meetings will move online or can choose to be in-person in the church building as long as rooms are only at ⅓ capacity with masking and social distancing. Please contact your leaders for more information. Contact office@eccc.ca for room bookings. Gym and kitchen bookings are not available at this time.
We understand we are in uncharted waters, and there is no decision that will please everyone. But we also acknowledge that we serve an all-knowing God and continue our posture of humility and prayer during this time. If you or a brother and sister you know need prayer or help, please reach out to our pastors, elders, deacons, council and staff.
Please visit the Government of Alberta website for new measures to protect the health care system, stop the spread, and how to get vaccinations. Thank you for your understanding and patience.
September 2nd, 2021
In response to the City of Edmonton Mandatory Face Covering Bylaw, anyone over the age of 2 will be required to wear a mask while attending activities at ECCC, effective Friday, September 3rd.
As part of conducting “religious or spiritual ceremony,” speakers and praise leaders may only physical distance or have plexiglass.
As usual, we ask all attendees to please continue to keep up with sanitizing practice and physical distancing if possible. Thank-you for loving your neighbour and doing our best as we continue to worship God together.
July 14th, 2021
We praise God for all the brothers and sisters we welcomed to ECCC for in-person worship services in July. Effective July 17, 2021, we are fully open and welcome you to join us:
Cantonese – Sunday 9:30 am in Sanctuary
English – Sunday 11:15 am in Auditorium
Mandarin – Saturday 6:45 pm in Auditorium
Saturday Church – Saturday 5:30 pm in Sanctuary
We understand there are different levels of comfort and needs among our members. Capacity restrictions are lifted, but to accommodate our congregants, masks OR social distancing are required inside the church building.
For planning purposes, RSVP through Eventbrite.
We are excited to welcome you back to our church building for in-person worship services. Starting on the first weekend of July, the following services will be open for in-person attendance at 15% of fire code capacity. (Note: Should the number of active cases in Alberta continue to be stable and vaccination rates continue to improve, capacity will be adjusted accordingly.)
Cantonese – Sunday 9:30 am in Sanctuary
English – Sunday 11:15 am in Auditorium
Mandarin – Saturday 6:45 pm in Auditorium
Saturday Church – Saturday 5:30 pm in Sanctuary
To continue with the efforts made to curb the spread of COVID-19 in our community, enhanced safety measures are in effect. Please refer to In-Person Worship Info on your congregation webpage for more details.
June 19th, 2021
February 4th, 2021
In-person worship remains closed at this time. In alignment with Alberta government recommendations and to support our hospitals and health-care system as a loving neighbour, ECCC will remain online until Step 3 from Alberta's The Path Forward based on AHS hospitalization benchmarks.
We encourage all to continue to serve and worship our God together in spirit and in truth, online and in other creative ways. Please keep in touch with your fellowships, cell groups and do not hesitate to reach out to any of ECCC staff and leaders.
December 10th, 2020
The latest arrangements for worship gatherings:
a) Due to the severity of the pandemic in Alberta, Church council has decided that in-person church worship will be suspended until further notice. Please join us online to worship together at home. The church encourages small groups to form “Virtual Watch Parties” to watch the service together over the internet.
b) All fellowships, small groups or meetings originally scheduled to be held in-person at the church will be suspended. We will keep everyone informed of any future updates.
SEPTEMBER 20TH, 2020
We’re making plans for both in-person worship and livestream effective September 20th. In preparation for this launch, we’d like to share some important information.
We ask that you review the safety guidelines and procedures below. Familiarize yourself with these as your cooperation on these guidelines will help in keeping everyone safe.
For in-person worship, you will need to secure a ticket through Eventbrite each week.
COVID screening questions will be included in this process
A link to Eventbrite will be posted on eccchurch.ca every week
Parents who require access to the nursery can also secure a ticket for one of the nurseries through Eventbrite (2 nurseries are available)
We have a limited capacity of 70 seats
Whether you’ll be joining us online or in-person, we are so excited about this new ministry year. Continue to pray with us for a safe reopening.
JULY 1, 2020
We want to see you! We know everyone is excited to meet together, and we want to ensure we are fully prepared, keeping in mind the health and life stages of our church members. Our leadership teams have been working hard to make our reopening as safe as possible. On July 1, 2020, ECCC will launch PHASE 2 of our reopening:
1. All in-person ECCC fellowship and small groups can be hosted in our church building.
2. We encourage you to meet informally in person with fellow brothers and sisters or get together for worship services in your own homes if you feel you can do so safely.
As always, we must follow AHS guidelines and practice physical distancing. Visit eccchurch.ca for facility bookings, guidelines/logistics and more info. We plan to launch PHASE 3 for public in-person worship services at the end of summer. Thank you for your prayers and patience in this time.
May 23rd, 2020
The church understands that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has hit everyone hard. It can affect our personal well-being, personal support system and spiritual relationship with God. Remember that you are not alone, you are part of the ECCC family. The church strongly encourages anyone who needs help during this uncertain time to reach out to your pastor(s) or church leaders. In the grace of God, let us walk through this crisis together.
PHASE 1 OF “REOPENING” DURING COVID-19
Many people have been asking about the re-opening of ECCC. We intend to re-open gradually and safely in phases. We are still prayerfully considering what each phase will look like.We continue to seek the Lord’s guidance on how to be good neighbours and protect our most vulnerable.
On June 1, as a PHASE 1 approach, our ECCC building will ONLY be open for church leader meetings for Deacons, Elders, Pastors and Council Members who are comfortable meeting in person. This will allow them to implement and fine-tune safety measures for future phases.
We continue to follow Alberta Health Services guidelines, and encourage all to practice physical distancing.
We’d love to hear from you! As we prayerfully make plans on what ECCC ministries look like in the near future, we want to hear from YOU. Take the survey at: ECCC Reopening
In the meantime, we welcome you to join us in doing church right inside our homes. Whether that is gathering in our living rooms with our families, or meeting up virtually with friends afterwards to share and pray, let’s worship together!