REOPENING THE CHURCH  

 So now is the time to pray and plan about reopening. I have copied some of the info from the Baptist State Convention of NC. (NCBAPTIST.ORG) on reopening.  This is designed to help you consider what is best for the church you attend. Please call me at 336-846-5631 if you have questions or concerns.  

As North Carolina officials consider a  phased-in approach to reopening, N.C. Baptist churches are anxious to gather in person for worship. Below is a helpful guide of ideas to assist you in making the most of this reengagement. 

Please note, the items below are suggestions and in no way should replace guidelines from government officials and health care professionals. Every local church is autonomous and must therefore make their own decisions about how to move forward in order to be the church, honor earthly authorities, and love their neighbors.

Pastors, consider making a video to share with your church telling them what to expect their first Sunday back in the building. The video should outline traffic flow, seating guidelines, children and preschool expectations, etc. Emphasize safety! Think in terms of over-communicating the precautions you are taking as a church.

Keep in mind that while gathering together is a gift to believers and a witness to unbelievers, our desire to return to the building should never replace our Great Commission responsibility to “go and tell.” We pray that soon, you will be able to say to your church, “See you on Sunday!”

Preparing the Facility

Sanitize

Deep clean your entire church. Consider shampooing carpets, sanitizing seating, bathrooms, doorknobs, light switches and microphones.

Preschool / Children Areas

Pay attention to the preschool and children’s areas. Consider removing everything nonessential from the room to limit surfaces for potential contamination, and do a thorough cleaning in between uses.

Fellowship / Greetings

Post signs about not shaking hands and doing noncontact greetings. Coach ushers and greeters to use appropriate social distancing.

Offer Sanitizer

Place hand sanitizer stations throughout the facility.

Traffic Flow

Designate one-way pedestrian traffic flow to facilitate social distancing

Service Options (including ideas for limited gatherings)

Stay Outside

Continue or consider drive-in worship gatherings (where permitted by local authorities).

Stay Virtual

Stay virtual on Sunday with smaller in-person prayer gatherings during the week using an online sign up to limit the number.

Multiple Services

Organize multiple worship services by Sunday School classes/small groups or age. (Use online registration and cap the number).

Simultaneous Services

Simultaneous services in two areas of your buildings may work if attendance is restricted per gathering rather than per facility.

Small Group Meetings

Have small groups meet in homes to tune into worship together. (Offer training for group leaders to handle follow up, invitations, discussion, etc.) 

Those Not Joining

Keep a virtual service option going for those who cannot or are not ready to rejoin.

Instructional Video

Film a walk-through video to prepare guests for flow of traffic when they return.

As North Carolina officials consider a phased-in approach to reopening, N.C. Baptist churches are anxious to gather in person for worship. Below is a helpful guide of ideas to assist you in making the most of this reengagement. 

Please note, the items below are suggestions and in no way should replace guidelines from government officials and health care professionals. Every local church is autonomous and must therefore make their own decisions about how to move forward in order to be the church, honor earthly authorities, and love their neighbors.

Service Options (including ideas for limited gatherings)

Worship Service Considerations

Social Distancing

Arrange seating to maintain social distancing. Either remove chairs from the usual setup or block off pews. While families can sit closer together, there should be appropriate spacing on either side of each family unit.

Offering

Have offering boxes in various entrances to receive offerings instead of passing the offering plates. Encourage online giving, as well.

Lord’s Supper

Consider using prepackaged communion sets. The individual sets can be picked up from tables as people enter the service and used at the appropriate time in the service.

Baptism

It may be best at this time to limit baptisms to one person per filling of the baptismal pool in the sanctuary. Consider the use of a chlorinated swimming pool for larger services.

Older Members

Older members and those with vulnerable health conditions may be fearful of returning at once, and it may be advised for them not to. Continue offering online worship and discipleship for this population of your church.

Cleaning Between Multiple Services

For those who have multiple services, have a plan in place to sterilize as much as possible between services. Actions such as wiping down pews and placing hand sanitizer generously around the church and encouraging its use.

Choirs

With social distancing in effect, traditional plans are probably not feasible. Consider holding a rehearsal in a large room that allows people to sit with appropriate distances to begin getting the groups back together. 

Bulletins

Do not distribute bulletins unless they are distributed electronically.

Masks

If wearing masks is suggested by health officials, consider providing masks for those who don’t have them.

Volunteers

Many volunteers may step down for a period of time. Roles may need to change. There will be a need for a sanitation team to keep things clean. The greeting ministry will look different while maintaining social distancing.

Health Monitoring

Consider temperature checks for all staff and volunteers. 

Coffee Stations

Eliminate coffee stations until we receive an “all-clear.”

Meet-and-Greet Time

These times may need to be eliminated altogether or have people just wave from a distance.

Hymnals and Pew Bibles

It may be best to eliminate the use of these items until after the threat is over.

Eliminate toy boxes and an overabundance of toys. Bring out only the amount of toys that volunteers are willing to clean at the end of the session.  

Train leaders on sanitation guidelines for handwashing, diaper changing and cleaning toys. Clearly state expectations for sanitizing during the session. 

Purchase no touch thermometers, and perform temperature checks on children and leaders before being allowed in preschool or children’s classrooms. 

Restrict numbers and ages of those who can be part of the preschool or children’s ministry, or open without preschool or children’s classes. 

Have volunteers staff the check-in station to limit physical contact with the check-in station. 

Consider options for dropping off and picking up children: Allow only one parent to drop off and pick up children, or have designated drop-off and pick-up locations at the entry to children’s areas with only the teacher escorting the child to class. 

Restrict diaper bags and other personal items from being brought into classrooms. Consider allowing only those items needed for the day to be placed in individual containers or baskets in the room. (Make sure bags, diapers, wipes, bottles, etc., are clearly marked.)

Provide seating guidelines to maintain social distancing in classrooms.

Provide training for leaders to understand guidelines, as well as pastoral care responsibilities for the group.

Keep the emphasis on caring in between meetings.

Consider virtual small groups for a season to limit traffic throughout the facility.

Consider virtual groups for those not yet comfortable or not able to return.

If rooms are shared by multiple hours, sanitize between hours

 List of New Pastors this Year   

God’s Will Baptist Church announce Rev. Homer Murdock is their new pastor and will begin this Sunday. (Dec 1) They invite you to come hear their new pastor and worship with them Sunday School at 10 and Worship Service at 11:00. WE welcome Brother Homer and his wife Barbara and look forward to working with them in the Ashe Baptist Association. 

Mission Home Baptist Church announces Rev. Evan Moore has been elected pastor and will start on November 10. We welcome Brother Evan and his wife Kayla and family to the Ashe Baptist Association in this new role. Congregation invites you to attend. 

Orion Baptist Church announces Rev. Lawrence Goodman has been elected as pastor by a 100% vote. The Ashe Baptist Association looks forward to working with Brother Lawrence and his wife, Lesia. Orion invites you to come hear their new pastor. They have Sunday School at 10 and Worship at 11:00.

 Phoenix Baptist Church announces that Brother Chris Taylor of Jefferson NC has been voted in as pastor by 100% Vote. We welcome Brother Chris and his wife Chelsea to the Ashe Baptist Association and look forward to working with him 

Laurel Knob Baptist Church announces , Rev. Russell Hart has been elected pastor by a 95% vote of the church. We welcome Brother Russell and his wife Jennifer to the Ashe Baptist Association and look forward to working with them. They have Sunday School at 10:00 and Worship at 11:00 and the congregation   invite you to come worship with them and meet their new pastor. He begins his work April 7.

 Bristol Baptist Church announces Rev. Keith Wagoner was elected pastor by 96.7%. WE welcome Brother Keith and his wife Trish to the Ashe Baptist Association and look forward to working with them. They have Sunday School at 10:00 Worship at 11:00 and welcome everyone one to come meet their new pastor!

​​We welcome Rev. Ken Jones as the new Intentional Interim Pastor at Friendship Baptist Church. We welcome Brother Ken and his wife, Margie to the Ashe Baptist Association and look forward to working with them. 

We also welcome Brother Brandy Phipps as the new pastor of Little Helton Baptist Church. The Ashe Baptist Association looks forward to working with him and his wife. He began his work , February 3.

Buffalo Baptist Church is pleased to announces the Rev. Tom Graybeal is the new pastor and was elected by 100%. We welcome Brother Tom and his wife Mary to the Ashe Baptist Association in the new role. They are already on the field at work. Be praying for them as they work in that area.​

Ashe Baptist would like to thank our sponsors for the Ashe Baptist News heard on WKSK each Saturday and on SoundCloud on the Web. Ashe County Ford, Rev. Jeff and Amy Dollar, Tri  County Paving, Lucian and Patricia Jordan,  and State Wide Insurance Solutions, Chris and Andrea Finney and Tri County Monuments, Mike and Lesia Peters. They are all Christians and attend church and welcome you to come see them when you find yourself in need of their services.   

Church Announcements  

Congratulations to all the graduates. It is exciting to see next steps for each one. We are praying for you as you take those steps.

Thank you, Nurses, EMTs, Doctors, First Responders, Respiratory Therapists, all our medical folks. Thank you, Police Departments, Fire Departments, Pastors, Churches, Teachers and all our volunteers. We are all working together in this crisis. Better days head. We are praying for you as you serve.    

LOOMS Bible Study

Still time to join. “40 Days in the Word” LADIES Bible Study is held weekly on Thursday, 11:30-12:30 at the Ashe Baptist Association Office on 204 Beaver Creek School Road, West Jefferson Meetings are facilitated by Mrs. Linda Blackburn. Next session of Rick Warren’s Bible Study will begin May 21 ! Join us for the fun. All ladies are welcome to join us! Study Six easy to learn methods of Loving, Learning, and Living in the Word.  1) Pronounce it, 2) Picture it, 3) Probe it, 4) Paraphrase it, 5) Personalize it, 6) Pray it. Reignite and Strengthen your passion for God’s Word by not only being “hearers” of the word, but also “doers” of the word. Call the associational office for more info. Max of 10 and social distance will be in place.

The Associational Office is open to serve you and Ashe Really Cares is open as well but has adjusted some of their methods to stay as healthy as possible. If you find yourself in need let us know. It is a time to help our neighbors but also to worship God. Thank you for your financial support and your prayers. Thank you volunteers at ARC. If you are doing Drive in Church consider sitting a box in the parking lot to drop a can of food in for Ashe Really Cares.  Thank you, Pat Miller and Shelia Miller, Van Food Pickup Drivers and others for your extra hard work during these times.

 Mrs. Debbie Miller will be working as the Administrative Assistant on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the Ashe Baptist Associational Office. Mrs. Myra Phillips will continue working as Administrative Assistant on Thursday and Friday and will continue as the clerk and treasurer of the association. We welcome Debbie and her husband Butch; they are members of Christian Unity Baptist Church.  

The Program Committee of the Ashe Baptist Association will be meeting on Tuesday, June 9th at 7:00 at the Ashe Baptist Association Conference Room. All committee members are urged to attend. Decisions will be made concerning the Annual Meeting for this year. 

The Campground Committee of the Ashe Baptist Association will be meeting on Tuesday, June 16th at 7:00 at the Ashe Baptist Association Conference Room. All committee members are urged to attend.

Ashe Really Cares Committee will have it’s Quarterly Meeting on Tuesday, July 7 at the Ashe Baptist Association Conference Room at 7:00. All committee members are urged to attend.

The Ashe Baptist Association Executive Committee will have it’s Quarterly Meeting on Thursday, July 9 at Round Knob Baptist Church at 7:00. All committee members and pastors are urged to attend.

Round Knob Baptist Church will have Inside Services on Sunday at 10:00 for Sunday School and 11:00 for Worship. Rev. Keith Elledge invites you to attend.

North Beaver Baptist Church will have Worship Service inside the church on Sunday at 11:00. They will be live on Facebook for those who are not ready to come inside. Rev. Rick Miller invites you to attend.

Bald Mountain Baptist Church will have a service in the sanctuary at 10:00 this coming Sunday. We will continue to have the Facebook livestream and drive-in church for those who are uncomfortable returning to the building at this time. No Bible Fellowship, PM or Wednesday services. Rev. John Elledge invites you to attend. 

Happy Trails Cowboy Church of Ashe will be meeting at the Blue Ridge Dinner Theater in Glendale Springs on Sunday at 10:00 for Services inside the building. They will have Bible Study on Wednesday Night beginning at 6:30. Social distance will be observed. Pastor, Rev. Roger Blevins invite everyone to attend.

Friendly Grove Baptist Church will have Indoor Services at 11:00, The pastor, Rev. Kevin York invites you to attend.

Phoenix Baptist Church will be having Drive in Church on Sunday at 11:00. Pastor, Chris Taylor and the congregation invites you to attend.

Beaver Creek Baptist Church on the Mullatto Mt Road in West Jefferson will Inside Church Service Sunday, Sunday School at 10:00 and Worship at 11:00 They also will have Drive in Church on Sunday at 11:00, 105.1 FM for those who do not want to come in and you are invited to attend. They will also be on Facebook and You Tube for those who cannot make it to the church. Rev, Johnny Goodman is the pastor at Beaver Creek Baptist Church.

Appalachian Church on Ray Taylor Rd in West Jefferson will have Worship Service Inside the church at 10:00 Sunday and is live streaming as well via Facebook and at www.appchurch.org. Everyone is invited to attend by the pastor, Rev. Steve Ashley,

Welcome Home Baptist Church will continue to provide online services on Facebook on both Sundays and Wednesday evenings. Pastor, Rev. Lonnie Jones invites to attend via Facebook.

Oak Hill Baptist Church will have services in side Sunday. Sunday School at 10 and Worship at 11:00. Pastor , Rev. JC Darnell invites you to attend.

Clifton Baptist Church will have Services inside the church Sunday at 11:00. They will as so have Drive in service and Facebook services. Pastor, Jimmy Galgano invites you to attend.

Pine Swamp Baptist Church will have Services in side Sunday at 11:00. They will have Drive in and Broadcast Sunday School at 10:00. Rev. Steve Viers pastor invites you to attend. 

Warrensville Baptist Church announces In side Church Services at 10:00 as well as Drive in Service for those who are not ready to come in. We will also have an online 10 AM service on Sunday and have a Bible study each Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. Our worship leader, Isaac Patrick, goes live on Facebook at 7 p.m. and plays everyone's favorite hymns. To access our services just go to www.warrensvilleBaptistchurch.com.

Buffalo Baptist Church will be having Drive in Service this Sunday at 10:30, Pastor, Rev. Tom Graybeal invites you to attend. 

Fletcher Memorial Baptist Church invites you to Sunday Morning Service on Facebook at 10:30 and on Wednesday Night at 6:15 live. They also have Youth and College Level Services. You can go to their website to get services or info anytime. Call the office and talk to Jean Ann for more info. Pastors Cory and Doug Halsey invite you to attend.

Gods Will Baptist Church announces the start our new normal of church services.We will begin opening up church this Sunday, May 31st, for regular services. No Sunday School at this time but will also be on Facebook. Worship begins at 11:00. Everyone is invited by Rev. Homer Murdock, pastor.

Friendship Baptist Church is doing Drive in Service on Sunday with Bible Study at 9:00 and Worship at 10:00 as well as Facebook Live along with several adult Bible Studies and Youth Ministry via Facebook and Zoom. Sit in car or bring a lawn chair and be 6 feet away from your neighbor. Rev. Ken Jones pastor invites you to attend.

Liberty Grove Baptist Church has Sunday Morning Service, live at 11:00 on Church’s our Facebook Page. Pastor, Rev. Toby Oliver invites you unto attend.

Orion Baptist Church invites you to Indoor Services 9:45 and 11:00. 60 and up Worship in the sanctuary at 9:45. Then at 11:00 under 60 will meet in the Fellowship Hall. Rev. Lawrence Goodman invites you to attend.

Christian Unity   Baptist Church will begin having Indoor service with a   soft opening of the church on Sunday at 10:45 am with Worship Service   at 11 am with Rev. Darren South as the speaker. Covid-19 Safety Precautions   will be taken. 11 am service will also be on Facebook. Everyone is invited.

Riverview   Baptist Church will have Indoor Services at 11:00   Sunday.  The congregation   invites you to attend.

Big Flatts Baptist Church will have Drive in Service with the ability to sit outside in lawn chairs, six feet apart. Rev. Billy Norris invites you to attend.

When you pray please remember Christian Unity, Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, Riverview Baptist Church, and Grassy Creek Baptist Church. These are currently in search of a pastor for the church.     

Hope for the Mountains Prayer Team meets every Tuesday at 8:00 AM with Midway Baptist Church in the sanctuary around the altar. We have a short devotion and then we pray. It is open to the public and you are invited to attend.     

Minister, wife and staff Ashe Baptist Association Christmas Dinner was held at a new location this year at Bald Mountain Baptist Church on Thursday, December 12th at 6:00 PM. Virginia Carolina Concrete Company was our sponsor. We thank them (Mr. Ted Huffman, Teddy Huffman Jr., and Adam Huffman) and encourage you when are in need please contact them. Mr. Sherwood Richardson from Independence, VA was the caterer. Roast Beef and Lemon Chicken and the works to eat. A great time of relaxing, singing, praying, eating and hearing the Christmas Story read one more time. Thank you to all who attended! Special thanks for Bald Mountain Baptist Church for hosting. The Fellowship Hall was the most beautiful I have ever seen.  

What is the Ashe County Resilience Initiative?

Summary: 

The Ashe County Resilience Initiative is a disaster response initiative that is part of the larger Resilient American Communities initiative.  This system encourages solid decision making during any disaster, but for now, COVID19 Pandemic at the community level. Everyday citizens become involved in supporting and building the information and activities needed for the community to be safe and resilient.  The community action teams are supported by a knowledge hub, informational dashboard, interactive map(s) and localized assessments. This platform has been designed and validated by the Global Health Response and Resilience Initiative (GHRRI) https://resiliencesystem.org/about-global-resilience-system.

The real power in this Ashe County initiative is the involvement of local citizens in the community, strength from the bottom-up. In addition, it is also helpful if there is a top down opportunity in the creation of collaboration across all levels of society engaging in a unity of effort. 

The Ashe County Resilient System Dashboard, maps and links to the localized assessments can be found at Ashe County informational Dashboard.  Check out, like, and follow the Ashe County Resilience Facebook Page . 

Check out the FB page or the dashboard.  If you go to Ashe County Dashboard you will come up with it as well.

Happy Birthday: June 7, Sherrie Harless (Mark- Obids Baptist)

Happy Anniversary: June 12, Rev. and Mrs. Kevin York (Jennifer- Friendly Grove) , 13th Rev. and Mrs. Steve Ashley ( Sammi- Appalachian Church )