What to Expect if you join In-Person for Celebration:
What: A lively Celebration much like we used to share at the Hillman City Collab, but in a new, larger, more accessible and functional space, and with a bumpin, full, live band!
Some things will be familiar and some things will be new:
Communion: We believe this is all about unconditional love, and we welcome anyone to receive Communion regardless of religious beliefs or identity (or lack thereof). Instead of a shared loaf and single cup we’ll offer small individual communion cups and wafers with contact-free distribution.
The Offering: The basket is back! There will be options to contribute in person as well as online.
Coffee, snacks, and Tea Time: As we ease into hybrid services, we will not be offering coffee or snacks on site at this time. You can nourish and caffeinate yourself ahead of time at nearby PCC, Olympia Coffee, Empire Espresso (to name just a few options). We can hang around inside the building and chat (masked) after service.
When: Celebration begins at 11AM Pacific time. We encourage folks to come a little early (arrive between 10:40-11) as we’ll be hand sanitizing at the door, getting used to a new space, making new name tags, and catching up after over 2 years apart.
Where: The Rainier Arts Center 3515 S Alaska St, Seattle, WA 98118 on the corner of Rainier Ave S and S Alaska Street, near the Columbia City library and PCC.
Parking: The small parking lot is reserved for community members with disabilities and limited mobility. Street parking is available nearby. More parking may become available in partnership with local businesses--stay tuned.
Public Transit: Lightrail: the Columbia City Lightrail stop is on the corner of MLK and S. Alaska, about 3.5 blocks away
Bus: the #7, #50, #106 bus lines are nearby with stops at: 7: Rainier @ Alaska; 50: 35th @ Alaska; 106: MLK @ Alaska
How: We’re working hard to balance the joys of convening our community with the risks of COVID spread. By implementing some key COVID precautions, we’ll do our best to mitigate some of the risks of gathering in person, while feeling the nourishment of being together in body as well as spirit.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home and join the service by Zoom instead.
Greeters will encourage everyone to use hand sanitizer at the door.
Masks are required and must be worn properly throughout service. KN95 Masks will be available at the door if needed.
Unmasked speakers will take a rapid antigen test upon early arrival
Custom name tags will indicate attendees’ preference for distance and contact
Community members who test positive for COVID-19 will be asked to refrain from in-person V&M events for 10 days. (And let the care team know if you need help! [email protected])
There will be a marked section for distanced seating if that makes you feel more comfortable.
Accessibility information: The RAC Website has great photos and pans of the main Auditorium and the Event Hall (where children’s ministry will take place). Check it out to get a sense of what to expect.
Both levels of the RAC are fully accessible and have ADA restrooms. There is an outdoor wheelchair lift to the auditorium and ramps to each level. The auditorium has reserved areas for wheelchairs.
The small (15-spot) parking lot is reserved for community members with disabilities, limited mobility, or encumbrances.
Scents: as this is a rented space with its own custodial services, we cannot offer a scent-free space.
What to expect if you join online:
What: An engaging online service with professional video and audio streaming. It will be (almost) like being there in person, peppered with some of the digital celebration rituals we’ve become accustomed to over the past 2 years.
Where: the same Zoom link that we’ve been using for Celebration, found here: tinyurl.com/VMcelebration. NOTE: Services will no longer be broadcast to Facebook. If you’re joining live online, Zoom is the place to be. Recordings of service will be posted to V&M’s YouTube Channel and also available on the V&M Website.
How: We’ll use professional streaming equipment to pipe the on-stage service out to our Zoom community. The Zoom grid of your beautiful faces and PJ-clad selves will be projected inside the RAC so that the speakers, pastoral staff, and your in-person friends can see and feel your presence and participation. You’re always welcome to turn your video off.
Tea Time is ON! With the help of our Digital Hospitality team, Tea Time will be co-hosted by a community member and a rotating pastor.
When: The Zoom room opens at 10:50. Check in and say hey! Service will begin around 11AM, and you can enjoy the live music and poppin community chat box in the meantime.
Accessibility information: Zoom gathering will be subtitled and there is an option for full live transcription. Services are recorded and can be watched (or rewatched!) later on V&M’s YouTube Channel and on the V&M Website.