March 12, 2020
Dear Allen Temple Family and Friends,
Amidst concerns surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19), we want to let you know how Allen Temple Baptist Church is responding.
Our leadership team is carefully and continually monitoring this situation. As information evolves, this page is the primary, most up-to-date place for you to receive answers to commonly asked questions. We are committed to doing everything we can to provide a safe environment for our church family and surrounding community.
IS ALLEN TEMPLE GATHERING FOR WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY?
Yes. We will gather for worship this Sunday. If at any point this changes, we will update this page immediately and share any plans we have for gathering online. However, at this time, all Sunday worship will continue as usual.
ARE ALLEN TEMPLE BUILDINGS OPEN ON WEEKDAYS?
Yes. At this time, Allen Temple buildings are open as usual. On certain days, we may decide to close buildings for deep cleaning, and we will include that information on this page whenever that is the case. In addition, certain ministries in the church may decide not to meet at various times for various reasons. For more information on individual ministries and/or meetings, please contact your ministry leader.
SHOULD YOU ATTEND SERVICE IF YOU ARE FEELING SICK?
We place a high priority on gathering together as the church for worship and other ministry activities, and we always want you to feel welcome at Allen Temple, however if you are feeling sick or running a fever, please stay home. We encourage you to worship online with us through streaming either of our services (8AM, 11:15 AM) at allen-temple.org.
WHAT PRECAUTIONS CAN YOU TAKE WHEN YOU COME TO THE ALLEN TEMPLE CAMPUS?
We encourage everyone to take certain steps to protect themselves and others from the coronavirus, flu, and other illnesses, including:
- Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;
- Using hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available;
- Not touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands;
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick;
- Staying home if you are sick;
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing;
- Disinfecting objects and surfaces regularly including cell phones.
WHAT PRECAUTIONS ARE BEING TAKEN BY ALLEN TEMPLE TO MAKE GATHERINGS AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE?
Allen Temple is taking extra cleaning precautions at this time. This includes:
- Wiping down all common area touchpoints (e.g., doors, light switches, bannisters, countertops, etc.) throughout the day with an EPA certified disinfectant.
- Placing hand sanitizers in common areas throughout the buildings.
- Performing added in-depth cleaning of our facilities on a regular basis. These deep cleanings will likely involve closing Allen Temple buildings on certain weekdays, and we will include all information about scheduled closures on this webpage (see above under, “Are Allen Temple buildings open on weekdays?”).
In our Nursery, after each gathering, our volunteers sterilize various surfaces used by our children. We will continue to follow our standard health protocols, not admitting any child with an elevated temperature (above 99.6 F). A child must also be fever free for 24 hours before coming to Nursery. You can help us by closely monitoring your children for any symptoms and being understanding if we feel we cannot accept your kids into our programs due to health concerns.
During our worship gatherings, we will serve communion with pre-packaged elements. In addition, we encourage everyone to take commonsense precautions such as refraining from handshaking and consider creative interactions (like elbow bumping or the Wakanda Greeting!).
HOW CAN I BETTER UNDERSTAND THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)?
Coronavirus is a type of virus that causes respiratory illness — an infection of the airways and lungs. COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus. It is part of the same family of coronaviruses that includes the common cold. The coronavirus outbreak was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Since then, the virus has spread to other countries.
The most common early symptoms appear between 2 and 14 days after infection. Symptoms can be mild to severe. They include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention. Most people recover from the disease without needing special treatment.
Like many other viruses, the coronavirus (COVID-19) seems to spread from person-to-person through a cough, sneeze, or kiss. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the risk in the U.S. is still low. They will update this status regularly on their website at cdc.gov/coronavirus. You can also find more information from the World Health Organization (https://who.int/), the office of Congresswoman Barbara Lee (https://lee.house.gov/coronavirus) and the City of Oakland (https://www.oaklandca.gov/news).
HOW SHOULD I RESPOND SPIRITUALLY TO THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)?
The coronavirus (COVID-19) is yet one more reminder that we live in a fallen world of sickness, sin, suffering, and death. Ultimately, none of us are immune to any of these things. But that’s why the gospel is such good news. God has not left us alone in this world of sickness, sin, suffering, and death. God has come to us in the person of Jesus.
Times like these remind us all of the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. As we enter the Resurrection season, we are also reminded of the greatest news that death has been defeated and eternal life is available to all who trust in Jesus. Spread the Good News!
Here’s some other ways you can respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19):
- Trust in God as the good and sovereign Creator and Sustainer of life upon whom we all depend.
- Pray for mercy for the sick, strength for doctors, insight for researchers, and wisdom for officials.
- Look for opportunities to love and care for others, whether they are sick, isolated, marginalized, poor, or oppressed.
- Avoid every semblance of racial or class prejudice or bias.
- Even if we are unable to gather at certain times, stay closely connected to the church family.
- Participate in worship gatherings online if that’s the only option.
WE ALSO ASK THAT YOU:
- PRAY for our world, our leaders, and health professionals, as well as the most vulnerable among us.
- SHARE this information with other Allen Temple members.
- CONTINUE to attend worship services regularly if you are healthy and able to do so.
- LOOK for regular church updates as usual via Allen Temple e-blasts
- CONTINUE TO REGULARLY SUPPORT ALLEN TEMPLE FINANCIALLY so that the ministry of the church thrives all the more in the midst of difficult days. Your consistent giving of tithes and offering can be done in the following ways:
- Giving Envelope
- Online at Allen-Temple.org/Giving
- Via Text to Give
- Via the Allen Temple Mobile App
- Via Mail to Allen Temple Baptist Church, 8501 International Boulevard, Oakland CA 94621 ATTENTION: Trustee Ministry
These measures will enable us to provide a church facility which maintains high standards and demonstrates our commitment to the well-being of our congregation and community. It will especially accommodate the needs of our active members and those who may be absent in the interim for health reasons. Feel free to contact the church office, (510) 544-8910 or info@allen-temple.org, if you have any additional questions, suggestions or concerns.
Be encouraged by remembering the promises of Psalm 23, Psalm 91 and Psalm 121.
Forward Together by Faith,
Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson
Senior Pastor
