Based on the recommendations of our Medical Task Force, we are tentatively planning to enter Phase Two of our Regathering Plan on the weekend of June 20 and 21. Thank you for your continued patience and grace. Pray with us that God gives wisdom to our leadership as we continually seek to follow His leading in this matter. You can see a full explanation of the plan at below.

Based on the regathering plan we shared two weeks ago (May 8) and the recommendation of our task force of doctors, this past week of May 15-22 was not a week of plateau or decline. Given this situation, we are still in Phase One of the plan. The earliest we would begin onsite gatherings at our building would be mid to late June.

While this is disappointing news, it is still encouraging to know that God has not—and His mission for our Church—has not changed. We believe that God’s vision for Woodland Park is to build an army of men and women who have found and are following Christ and helping others do the same. And, we believe we see this vision become reality by encouraging surrender, equipping believers, and engaging our world. All for the glory of God.

We are currently unable to meet onsite together to live this out. However, this does not keep the Kingdom of God from advancing. Our inability to physically meet at a given location each week cannot end the powerful work of God in and through His people.

• This weekend we will “gather” for worship at hundreds of homes across our region and even around the world.
• Believers are still gathering for fellowship and study using Zoom and other means, loving one another and encouraging one another.
• God has opened doors for us to love and serve our community through disaster relief by providing food and other basic needs that have opened doors for Gospel conversations.
• Through your faithful giving, we continue to support the ongoing work of God through missionaries across the United States and around the world.

Let's not miss the fact that God is at work. And, let's not make regathering onsite the ultimate mission. That’s way too small a purpose for God’s people! As we encounter the greatness and glory of God, let it inspire and propel you into your neighborhood and out into the world to help others see how glorious Jesus is so that they might know and follow Him. In fact, here are some ways that you can join Him today:

• If you have a neighbor who has lost their job due to the pandemic or been impacted by the tornado, look for ways to let Jesus express His love for them through your kindness and care
• Reach out to a widow or single parent or others who may need extra care or support during this time of social distancing—send a card or give them a call.
• Host a “watch party” online and invite others using social media to join you for worship.
• wpKids is hosting  a virtual VBS in June—plan now to invite other kids to join you to learn about Jesus in this unique way.
• Contact us and let us help you get plugged in to one of our small groups online so that you can connect to others and they can encourage you.
• Take advantage of the extra time with your family and invest in your marriage and your kids and find little ways to help point each other to Jesus daily.

Thank you for your patience. Please continue to pray that God grants wisdom to our leadership and our task force as we continually seek to follow His leading in this matter. You can see a full explanation of the plan below.

Over the past few weeks, our church leadership has been discussing a re-gathering plan. These are not easy decisions as we consider the safety of our family and friends as well as our desire to be together again as a church. In order to seek wisdom, we have assembled a task force of doctors who are experts in their field to assist us as we move through these difficult times together. Our plan includes four different phases based on data from Hamilton County and wisdom from the task force. All aspects of the plan are fluid and subject to ongoing review and adjustments as needed in keeping with future governmental guidelines. We must remain flexible as we navigate these unique days.

• Throughout these phases we will continue to offer an online Weekend Service for those who are uncomfortable or unable to join us in person.
• We encourage anyone age 65 or older and anyone considered medically at risk to remain home until Phase Four. While we desire that you gather with us, the best data and guidance available suggests that this is wise at the present time.
• During this time we will take extra measures to keep our facilities sanitized and clean. Sections of our building will be closed to reduce traffic in unnecessary areas. We will also suspend all food and beverage services such as donuts, coffee, and water fountains until these are deemed safe again.
• As we prepare to enter each new phase, we will communicate more detailed information.

We are currently in Phase One. Phase One has involved moving all ministry online, including Connection Classes. We will continue to offer an online Weekend Service and encourage our small groups to meet regularly through online platforms.

Commencing with this announcement date Friday, May 8, after two consecutive weeks of plateau or decline of new coronavirus cases in Hamilton County, we will begin a two-week transition into Phase Two. With this runway, the earliest we would begin onsite gatherings at our building would be early June.

• In Phase Two, we will continue an online Weekend Service. Additionally, we will offer three onsite Weekend Services to allow for appropriate social distancing—one on Saturday evening and two on Sunday morning. Each service will have a maximum capacity of 200. We will ask that anyone attending these services register in advance.
• During these services, we will practice social distancing as family units, and we will ask everyone in attendance (except those age 2 and under) to wear a mask in consideration of those around us. Masks will be provided for those who do not have their own.
• We will not provide childcare or any family ministry services. Families are invited to join us in the Weekend Service.
• Connection Classes will meet primarily using online platforms. However, we will begin to allow adult groups desiring to meet onsite to do so by reservation at other times throughout the week, excluding Saturday and Sunday.
• Our team will continue to monitor new cases of coronavirus in the general population of Hamilton County, as well as seek wisdom from our task force of doctors. If we see a rise of new cases and the task force recommends a return to a previous phase, we will implement that transition immediately.

Movement into Phase Three will be based on two additional weeks of plateau or decline of new coronavirus cases in Hamilton County and recommendations from our task force.

• In Phase Three, we will continue an online Weekend Service, as well as increasing the capacity of our onsite Weekend Services to no more than 50%.
• Childcare will not be provided on Saturday evening. However, we will begin to offer childcare for ages 0-4 for Sunday morning services. Parents must register their children (ages 0-4) for the service they plan to attend each week so that we can appropriately plan for their care.
• Connection Classes will meet primarily using online platforms while allowing opportunities for groups to meet onsite at various times throughout the week (excluding Saturday and Sunday) by reservation.
• wpStudents will begin offering an onsite experience on Wednesday evenings. The details of these services will be communicated by wpStudents’ staff as we prepare to transition to this phase.
• Once again, our team will continually monitor new cases of coronavirus in the general population of Hamilton County, as well as seek wisdom from our task force of doctors. If we see a rise of new cases and the task force recommends a return to a previous phase, we will implement that transition immediately.

Movement into Phase Four will be based on two additional weeks of plateau or decline of new coronavirus cases in Hamilton County and recommendations from our task force.

• Transition into Phase Four will allow full capacity at all onsite Weekend Services, while still maintaining an online Weekend Service. As circumstances allow, we will permit Connection Classes and family ministries to meet onsite on Sunday morning.
• Anyone age 65 and older as well as anyone considered medically at risk are encouraged to return as you are comfortable and believe it is safe for you.
• It is worth saying again: our team will continually monitor new cases of coronavirus in the general population of Hamilton County, as well as seek wisdom from our task force of doctors throughout these transitions. If we see a rise of new cases and the task force recommends a return to a previous phase, we will implement that transition immediately.

Thank you for your patience and grace as we navigate these uncertain days together. Isn’t it good to know that God is sovereign in all of this? His Gospel and His Kingdom cannot be stopped. We eagerly look forward to welcoming you back to the building. Until then, remember this—the Church is not a building. You are the Church! Let us continue to encourage surrender, equip believers, and engage our world for the glory of God.