Athens Church Mission & Vision

To lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus by creating a church that unchurched people love to attend.

Waumba Land Mission

To create a first impression of our heavenly Father in such a way that it creates a lasting impression on the heart of a child.

Goal

The people who call Athens Church home represent a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Everyone may come with different ideas and feelings about what in-person gatherings should look like. Because we are a church that is for everyone, we’re going to consider others before ourselves. We are taking extra steps to create irresistible environments where families can feel safe, comfortable, and connected.

Our goal is to regather in a way that exceeds people’s expectations in returning to church. By prioritizing safety and connection, we will earn the trust of our church family as we continue to take steps toward normal in-person gatherings. We will create safe environments where adults, teenagers, and kids can gather in person for corporate worship and community. This document will outline the early steps we are taking in June and July to step back into in-person services.

Attire

Waumba Volunteer Shirts
Volunteer name tags

General Precautions

Please visit AthensChurch.com/OurPlan for FAQs and familiarize yourself with updated detailed procedures. Important information located on our FAQs is not replicated on this document.
Hand sanitizer stations will be located throughout our facilities.
Our entire building will be thoroughly cleaned prior to Sunday mornings, as well as high traffic areas during the services and after the service hours.
All procedures are subject to change and most likely will change as we seek to meet the needs of our families and volunteers.

Greeting/Communication

Initially, many of our families will enter back to Waumba Land with a greater felt need for personal space. At the same time many people will have a greater sense of freedom regarding physical space and contact.

We ask that all staff and volunteers observe these guidelines when greeting each other and guests.

Greet with big smiles.
Respect people’s comfort levels upon greeting. Initially greet with friendly waves, head nods, elbow bumps, and discern each person’s comfort level.
When in doubt allow for an appropriate level of physical distancing.

Role Specific Responsibilities

Host Team

Waumba Host Team volunteers will continue to check-in new families. As the weeks progress they will also man all check-in kiosks so families are able to maintain a contact-free experience.

While each volunteer has a specific role that they lead in prior to this season, we will need to move forward in unity and remain flexible to meet the greater needs of Waumba Land and the children we serve. In order to be able to take as many children as safely possible, we will prioritize staffing Small Group Leader roles before other volunteer roles. Once those rolls are appropriately staffed, we will staff Large Group and Host Team positions.

Host Team volunteers will implement all normal operating procedures as well as the additional ones listed below.

Before Sunday:

Fill out monthly volunteer availability form.
Respond to weekly GroupMe confirming availability.

During Serving on Sunday:

Arrive at 8:35 a.m. for 9:15 a.m. volunteers and 10:20 a.m. for 11:00 a.m. volunteers.
Meet with the Host Team Captain for connection, instruction for the day, and prayer.
Volunteers will maintain a safe and spacious distance when greeting new families.
In June, the main entrance will be the only open entrance to Waumba Land, and our staff and volunteers will print tags for families. A Waumba Land volunteer will manage each check-in computer and check kids in so that families do not have to touch anything except their child’s name tags. In July, we aim to have our hallway check-in stations open with assisted check-in by a Waumba volunteer.
Host Team volunteers will assistant with temperature assessment and provide hand sanitizer for all families upon entering the hall and sanitize their hands frequently.
Frequently clean the Host Team desk between helping families check in with cleaner provided.
A Host Team member will hold the doors open and frequently clean door knobs at the entrances and exits of Waumba Land, each classroom and common spaces throughout the hour and after each hour.

After Serving:

Sanitize the keyboard, desk, and surrounding surfaces using the cleaner provided.
Wash hands or use hand sanitizer before leaving.

Small Group Leaders

While each volunteer has a specific role and group assignment that they have filled prior to this season, we will need to remain flexible to meet the greater needs of the children we serve in Waumba Land. In order to be able to take as many children as safely possible, we will prioritize staffing Small Group Leader roles before any other roles. We will be combining children in age specific rooms at first and will work together with our weekly volunteers to ensure proper coverage and ratios.

Small Group Leaders will implement all normal operating procedures as well as the additional ones listed below.

Before Sunday:

Fill out monthly volunteer availability form.
Respond to weekly GroupMe confirming availability.
Read weekly curriculum.

During Service Hour on Sunday:

Arrive at 8:35 a.m. for 9:15 a.m. volunteers and 10:20 a.m. for 11:00 a.m. volunteers.
Check temperature and sanitize hands before entering the hallway.
Attend Pre-Waumba Land leader meeting for instructions, prayer and connection.
During check-in, update blank roster with child’s name, parent’s cell, and tag number.
Centers and Small Group Curriculum will be organized by table to help minimize touching multiple surfaces.

After Serving:

Carefully follow cleaning procedures listed in classrooms and on our FAQs.
Wash hands or use hand sanitizer.

Large Group Volunteers

While each volunteer has a specific role and group assignment that they have filled prior to this season, we will need to remain flexible to meet the greater needs of the children we serve in Waumba Land. In order to be able to take as many children as safely possible, we will prioritize staffing Small Group Leader roles before any other roles. We will work together to provide excellent large group and small group experiences for our children as we utilize some of our digital content in the transition of re-opening.

Most likely some Large Group volunteers will be used as Small Group Leaders this summer. As more and more Small Group Leaders return to church we will return to our previous roles.

Before Sunday:

Fill out monthly volunteer Planning Center availability request.
Read script and come prepared.
Respond to weekly GroupMe confirming availability.

During Service Hour on Sunday:

Arrive at 8:30 a.m. for 9:15 a.m. volunteers and 10:30 a.m. for 11:00 a.m. volunteers.
Check temperature and sanitize hands before entering the hallway.
Attend Pre and Post Production meeting for instructions, prayer, and connection.
As children arrive, partner with the Small Group Leaders to help children sit on the colorful velcro dots on the floor to help with distancing.
Instead of high fives on the way out of Large Group, offer elbow bumps or some other touchless form of encouragement.

After Service:

Wash hands or use hand sanitizer.
Sanitize your mic with a Clorox wipe.
Clean up the Green Room and sanitize as needed (wipe down props and dry erase markers, throw away trash, etc.)

Volunteer Central

To ensure a safe and sanitized church experience, Athens Church will be altering our volunteer breakfast experiences. We will provide a limited selection of snacks and drinks for our volunteers. The Volunteer Room will be available for all volunteers before and after services. Please limit your time in the Volunteer Room and use the hand sanitizer provided before touching any food or drinks.

Thank You

Thank you for your heart for this church and the next generation! Thank you for leading with excellence as we create a compelling, safe, spacious, and sanitized environment for families!