• Ushers should continue to arrive early prior to each service and assist with needed tasks. 

• The Ushers should mark the pews as to where to sit or not site prior to the first worship service to ensure 6ft physical distancing. If chairs are used, the chairs should be distanced 6 ft. Rows should be alternated.
•  Ushers should designate the doors that will be used for entrances and exits. Physical distance decals or markings will be utilized to mark 6ft outside the building.
•  Doors should be propped open when congregants and visitors are entering and exiting the worship area (as weather permits). 

• Ushers should wear masks and ensure that anyone entering the designated entrance has on a face covering. Per Center for Disease Control (CDC), babies and children under the age of two do not have to wear face coverings.  

• Disposable masks must be available for those who may not have a face covering. Signs should be posted in highly visible locations to remind congregants/visitors that face coverings are required.  

• All congregants/visitors will be screened upon entrance for temperature checks and asked to use hand sanitizer. Non-contact handheld thermometers and sanitizer bottles must be available for use.  

• First Aiders and Nurses should be utilized for temperature screening if available. Screeners must wear disposable gloves in addition to a face covering.  If anyone is showing symptoms of COVID-19, (shortness of breath, elevated temperature >100.4, weakness) they will not be admitted into the worship area. Signs should be posted in highly visible locations to remind congregants/visitors that temperature screenings are required.  

• Ushers should escort the congregants/visitors directly to their seats to ensure they are following physical distancing guidelines. Families from the same household can sit together without distancing but must be distanced from others.  There should be no congregating in the vestibule/lobby.  

• If someone becomes ill during worship service, the individual will be placed in a designated isolation room. If the individual is unable to return home due to the severity of symptoms, 911 will be called immediately.  

• There should be limited access to restrooms. Make sure “wash your hands” signs are posted in all restrooms.  Ushers should monitor the restrooms to ensure physical distancing is being adhered.  Post physical distancing signs inside and outside the restrooms.  

• There will be no passing of the offering plate. Utilize a drop box, or hold offering plates at the exit doors at the end of the service to receive offerings. Online giving should also be utilized.  Offering places should be sanitized after each use. 

• Drinking water fountains must be turned off and a sign placed stating they are inoperable. Bottled water must be available.  

• Bibles, hymnals, pens, envelopes, information cards, etc. will be removed from the back of the pews because they cannot be easily cleaned, sanitized, or disinfected. 

• Self-service items such as newspapers, flyers, etc. will not be placed in the vestibule. 

• Ushers will direct attendees to exit one row at a time.

Objective: To give the Ushers a better understanding of handling disturbances that WILL happen inside the sanctuary.This will assist in securing the safety and comfort of those who have come to church for true praise and worship.  

Disturbances by people, who wish to disturb the service to gain something else other than respecting the house of God, require discernment on the part of the Head Usher and other ushers present. There are various types of disturbances that can occur before or during church services. In some cases, the Pastor may deal with issues but for the most part, it will be the responsibility of the Head Usher and other ushers to carry out the procedures. 

1. If it can be determined that a person’s actions could lead to a disturbances if entry is allowed into the Sanctuary, the entry for this person must not be allowed.
2. Determine whether the person needs to be taken out of the Sanctuary. If so, determine first how you wish to do this. Try first using a gentle but firm statement to asking them to come with you. If the person seem that they may not want to move, it may take a couple of Ushers, one on each side, to gently encourage the person to another place.

3. Determine a safe place to deal with this person and then firmly state this type of behavior is not wanted or accepted in the church especially during service.
4. Determine whether the person will stop or will have to leave the building. If they refuse, you may have to call the police department for help to remove the person.

Objective:  Is for every usher to have a complete knowledge of what each sign and signal means.  Every Usher should be on the alert at all time so that the purpose of the Church Ushers’ Signal Code will not be defeated. 

1. Usher Attention Signal 
2. Usher-in-Charge signal to the Ushers who are placed in the aisles to take their stations. 
3. Ushers’ Service Position (Front View)  
4. Ushers’ Service Position (Rear View)  
5. Prayer Position  
6. Sign requesting programs  
7. Sign requesting offering envelopes  
8. Sign requesting fans  
9. Relief sign  
10. Usher-in-Charge signal to the aisle Ushers to come to the given point.

 “A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.” Psalms 84:10 (NLT)