Dear Central Family: 

Over the past few months there have been many positive and encouraging signs that we have turned the corner on the pandemic in Arkansas.  The rate of daily new cases in Arkansas is among the lowest in the nation. The governor removed the mask mandate in Arkansas three weeks ago.  Out of 11,500 staff and students, Fayetteville Schools currently have three active cases of COVID.  The University of Arkansas has 15 active cases out of approximately 30,000 staff and students.  Washington County has 184 active cases out of approximately 250,000 residents and has reported one death from COVID in April.  Over 40% of those eligible to receive a vaccine in Arkansas have already received at least one dose.

Recently, the Central COVID Task Force and the Board of Trustees held meetings to review the current state of the pandemic and discuss our current safety protocols.  We also shared input that we have received from members of the church family.  After prayerful and thoughtful deliberations, the following changes are being announced:

• Effective immediately, we will no longer require pre-registration to attend worship.
• Effective Sunday, May 2, face covering will become optional after you are seated for worship.  For the time being, we ask that you continue to wear a mask when walking to/from seats while in our worship facilities.
• Effective Sunday, May 2, we are also increasing the seating capacity for children, youth, and adult classrooms.  Face coverings will be required if people are within three feet of each other.  If distanced, face coverings will be optional.    

Brian Swain
Executive Director