April 18, 2024
DULUTH — Any other year, Ingleside Baptist Church in Macon would have ample space to accommodate messengers to the Georgia Baptist Convention annual meeting. However, 2020 is no normal year.
Due to COVID-19 guidelines, seating will be limited at Ingleside Nov. 9. However, there will be overflow space available. Two overflow rooms will be provided at Ingleside. In addition, Turning Point at Mabel White Baptist Church, 5.5 miles away, will provide more seating capacity if necessary. Messengers will have the capability to vote, speak, and otherwise participate, regardless of the venue in which they are seated.
Pre-registration is still heavily encouraged. However, it must be noted that pre-registration does not guarantee a seat in the main hall. It only allows attendees to go straight to the check-in line. In a break from years past, messengers as well as guests must sign in to attend the meeting. All messengers must start at the Ingleside location to be checked in. Please know, upon check-in, you may be asked to attend one of the secondary venues at Ingleside, or the Turning Point at Mabel White location.
Upon check-in, colored dots associated with specified areas will be placed on name tags to monitor attendance levels and not exceed the recommended number in each room. The dots will be given on a first-come basis, beginning with the main meeting area in the Ingleside sanctuary. In order to stay within COVID-19 protocols, non-messengers are encouraged to watch the annual meeting online at gabaptist.org/live or on the Georgia Baptist Mission Board Facebook page.
Doors open for registration at 9 a.m., with the annual meeting slated to begin at 1 p.m. and conclude by 6:00. Per security restrictions, no bags or backpacks will be allowed in the meeting rooms.
It is recommended to wear a mask or face covering, though messengers are not required to do so. Distanced seating will also be observed at both locations. If any state COVID-19 guidelines change before November 9, they will be observed during the gathering.
Note: This article has been updated for the correct spelling of Mabel White Baptist Church. The Index regrets the error.
