PHBC’s Latest COVID-19 Guidelines

[Updated on August 12, 2021]

 As many (most) of you know, due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Charles County, the Board of Commissioners voted on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, to reinstate a county-wide mask mandate for all indoor venues that are open to the public (including places of worship). If you’re interested in seeing the draft document from the Charles County Board of Commissioners, you can find it here.

 The elders met on Wednesday (08/11) evening to discuss the new mask mandate, and we voted unanimously to follow the mandate. We believe the Commissioners have this authority, and we believe, while civil disobedience by the local church may be called for in some circumstances, civil disobedience is not called for in this circumstance. We believe that we should submit to our governing authorities as is outlined in Romans 13:1–7.

 So, we are asking everyone over 5-years-old in attendance on Sunday mornings to wear a mask. Masks will be available if you don’t have your own mask. Platform personnel will not be required to wear a mask while they’re on the platform since they are communicating with the congregation, but they, too, will be expected to wear a mask when they’re not on the platform.

 Also, we will temporarily be suspending the food service portion of our canteen ministry. We will continue to serve beverages. As of right now, the mask mandate goes into effect on Friday, August 13, 2021, at 5 pm, and it expires on Sunday, September 12, 2021, at 4:59 pm.