CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE

UPDATED FEBRUARY 5, 2022
Amidst concerns surrounding the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), we want to let you know how Severn Covenant Church is responding. 
 
Through every phase of the pandemic, our leadership team has consistently monitored data and metrics provided by federal and local health organizations and consistently honored mandates enacted by state and local government officials.  Our leadership team feels this is both Biblical (1 Peter 2, Romans 13) and in the best interest of the safety of our church, staff, and community.  While currently there are no statewide mandates in place, Anne Arundel County is in the Red (High) based on the CDC Community Transmission by County map. Because of our commitment to your safety and considering the increase in new cases in our county, our leadership team has decided to update our response to COVID in the following ways.
 

In an effort to ensure that our in-person gatherings are safe, clean, and welcoming to everyone, we will continue to clean and disinfect our facilities prior to and after each in-person gathering. This means disinfecting all surfaces with a special emphasis on high-touch areas.

If at any point changes are made to the information provided here or to our service options, updates will be made available at here and through email, text, The Severn App, and our social media outlets.
 

HOW HAS COVID-19 IMPACTED SEVERN’S WORSHIP GATHERINGS?

Our worship gatherings take place on Sundays at 9:00 AM and 11 AM.  We gather in person and online.  You can learn more about our indoor, in-person services at severn.cc/join-usTap the link below to join us online.

 

JOIN US ONLINE

 
 
 

LIVE IN-PERSON | SUNDAYS @ 9 + 11 AM

ONLINE | SUNDAYS @ 9 + 11 AM

SEVERN.ONLINE.CHURCH

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For technical support and assistance accessing our online services, contact Tara at (410) 987-3021. 

 

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR SEVERN KiDS?

Severn KiDS is available online on Sundays at 8 a.m. and in-person on Sundays at 9 & 11a.m. 
 

SEVERN KiDS ONLINE | SUNDAYS @ 8 AM

SEVERN.ONLINE.CHURCH

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HOW HAS COVID-19 IMPACTED SEVERN YOUTH?

Severn Youth is gearing up to relaunch in 2022.  
 

 

ARE SMALL-GROUPS STILL MEETING?

Yes! If you have any questions about groups, please reach out to our Small-Group Director, David Brower, at david@severn.cc.
 

 

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR SERVE SATURDAYS?

Serve Saturdays are back!  Tap the link below to learn more about our monthly serve opportunities.
 

 

ARE SEVERN’S FACILITIES OPEN?

Yes!

WHAT SPECIFIC MEASURES IS SEVERN TAKING TO ENSURE A CLEAN, SAFE EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE?

Our team members conduct regular and thorough cleaning of all equipment, surfaces, and areas of the building using disinfectant cleaning supplies. Our facilities are professionally cleaned and sanitized prior to all events or gatherings.  With rising concerns surrounding the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Maryland, we have increased the frequency of the deep cleaning of our facilities to ensure that the safety of our church, our community, and our team remains a top priority. 

The measures we are taking include:

    • Disinfecting all seating and surfaces before and after each use using a disinfectant fogger and disinfectant solution approved by the EPA and the CDC
    • Wiping-down equipment, surfaces (e.g. i.e, doors, light switches, countertops, tables, etc.) and other items before and after each use/before and after each service with the disinfectant supplies
    • Making hand sanitizer and disinfectant cleaning supplies available throughout our facilities
    • Routine deep cleaning of our facilities before and after our worship gatherings, small group meetings, ministry-related events and other activities
    • Empowering people to take common-sense precautions to help us maintain a clean, safe environment for our church and our community.

WHAT PRECAUTIONS CAN PEOPLE TAKE TO HELP SEVERN CREATE A SAFE, CLEAN EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE?

In addition to the proactive measures we are taking, there are some small things that you can do to support our overall efforts to maintain safe, clean environments. 

    • If you are a member of our team, wipe-down equipment, surfaces and other items before and after each use/before and after each service with the disinfectant supplies available at the Welcome Desk, kitchen, classrooms and other areas throughout our building.
    • Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly for at least 20 seconds using soap and water.
    • When outdoors at our facility, wear a face covering when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
    • Cough or sneeze into a tissue, your sleeve, or arm—not into your hands.
    • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
    • If you don’t feel well, please stay home, rest, and take care of yourself.
    • Encourage others who don’t feel well to stay home, rest, and get the care they need to get better.  If you notice that a child looks ill, contact their parent/guardian immediately.

 

WHAT IS SEVERN DOING TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)?

Help + Prayer Line
One of the ways that Severn pursues its purpose to see lives transformed by Jesus is through serving like Jesus in the local community. We realize that now more than ever people in our church and in our community are in need of practical and spiritual help. In order to meet both of those needs, we have established the Help and Prayer line. People can access it by texting I NEED HELP to (410) 618-0869 or by emailing us at help@severn.cc or prayer@severn.cc
 
5-A-WEEK
We are asking our staff and ministry leaders to call five people in our church a week as a way to check-in. These phone calls are an important way to provide the connections and the care that people need right now. We are asking you to consider doing the same thing with the people in your small group, neighborhood and on your ministry team. We are particularly sensitive to people who are considered at a higher risks for contracting COVID-19 and others who do not have access to the services and resources they need. If you know of anyone who would benefit from this kind of personal connection, email us at prayer@severn.cc.

 

HOW CAN PEOPLE 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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is continually updating the risk status in the United States.  You can also find more information from the World Health Organization.
 

HOW CAN YOU RESPOND SPIRITUALLY TO THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)?

The coronavirus (COVID-19) is another reminder of the instability we experience in a fallen world filled with sickness, sin, suffering, and death. Although none of us are immune to any of these things, the Gospel shows us that there is a way to find ultimate stability in an unstable world.  The Gospel shows us that God has not left us alone in this world of sickness, sin, suffering, and death. Instead, He sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us. The greatest news in all the world is that Jesus lived a life with no sin, died on a cross to pay the price for our sin, and rose from the grave in victory over sin and death. Now anyone who turns from their sin and trusts in Jesus will be forgiven of all their sin and restored to relationship with God forever. That means that through Jesus, we never have to fear sickness or death because we know we have eternal life with God.

If you do not know that you have eternal life with God, we urge you to put your faith in Jesus. If you are a follower of Jesus, we encourage you to share your faith in Jesus with others. Times like these remind us all of the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. So let’s spread the greatest news that death has been defeated and eternal life is available to all who trust in Jesus.

In addition to trusting in Jesus, here are some other ways you can respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19):

    • Trust that “God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment” (1 Timothy 1:7, HCSB).
    • 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.
    • Even if we are unable to gather at certain times, stay closely connected to your church family by gathering in smaller groups as appropriate, and taking advantage of our online options. 
    • Continue to give generously so that Severn can continue in its mission to see lives transformed by Jesus.