Mask Mandate and Worship

Oklahoma City: Per Oklahoma City's emergency public safety ordinance passed July 17, 2020, it is mandated by the city that members and guests 11 years old and older attending worship or other events at Wilmont Place Baptist Church wear masks.

Exceptions:
Masks should be worn in Sunday School and during 10:45 a.m. worship while at the same time attempting to maintain a distance of 6 feet from non-family members. Families sitting together but socially distanced from non-family members can remove their masks during worship. Further, worship leaders, pastors, and Sunday School teachers can remove masks during ministry as long as 6 or more feet are between the ministry leader and those in attendance.

Availability:
Wilmont will not be distributing masks to members or guests at this time. Those in attendance should bring their own masks.

Children:
Children 11 years old and older will be required to have a personal mask during Sunday School and Children's Church. Children between 3 and 10 are encouraged but not required to have a mask. Parents concerned about safety or whose children have medical issues with masks should stay with their family during 10:45 a.m. worship and maintain social distancing.

Are Wristbands Available?
Green wristbands will not be available during the City's public safety ordinance. During this time, Red and Yellow wristbands can be chosen at the welcome center. As a reminder, the color you choose communicates:
   Green: You are open to handshakes and hugs.
   Yellow: You are open to conversation but without physical contact.
   Red: You should only be approached within 6 feet if absolutely urgent and then only with a mask.

How Was This Decision Reached?
Wilmont staff has been monitoring the situation over the past several weeks. After the City Council meeting today, all ministry and admin staff members joined a video conference to discuss City decisions and to assess its impact on the church. We are quite aware of the diversity of opinion within our congregation. While some are most concerned about medical recommendations, others are concerned about libertarian freedom. Please pray with us as we navigate these uncharted waters and ask the Lord to give your leaders wisdom.

Aren't Churches Exempt?
Sometimes and only under the right circumstances. The city ordinance reads:

Exceptions to face covering requirements are: ... People at a religious service or ceremony where social distancing is observed between groups of people from different households.

The Wilmont compliance to the City mask mandate expresses this exemption above under "Exceptions." Honestly, we had three choices. (1) Cancel Sunday School and small group meetings that we just started July 1. (2) Ignore the City mandate out of defiance or ignorance. (3) Comply. Option 1 loses the momentum of those who are excited to return to campus Bible study and worship. Option 2 did not seem responsible at this time and under these conditions.

How Long Will This Last?
Verbally, the City committed to canceling the ordinance on September 7, 2020 after Labor Day events had completed. Their announcement does not contain such a definitive timeline. We will watch our civil leaders closely and manage the situation as best as possible.

What if I refuse to wear a mask?
We would encourage you to stay home and watch worship online on our Facebook page or YouTube channel. Additionally, Wilmont reserves the right to reluctantly ask members or guests to leave the campus.

Please read more about our plan to return to worship online or find out about the Journey, our intentional discipleship pathway.

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About Wilmont Place Baptist Church: Wilmont Place Baptist Church is a Southern Baptist church of 150 active members on the south side of Oklahoma City. Text-driven expository preaching, Bible-teaching, personal growth, and community evangelism define the culture and direct the activities and events of the congregation. The church is working through a formal revitalization strategy in which members become family and the community becomes ministry. You can reach Wilmont online at www.WilmontPlace.com.

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