July 23, 2020
We have great news! After much work and much discussion, the board has set a date for resuming our in-person worship service in the sanctuary: Sunday August 23, at 10:00 a.m. I’m so glad that we’re finally going to see each other again, worship in the sanctuary, and praise God together.
Just like the Hebrew people entering the Promised Land after their endless wandering in the desert, our future is going to be quite a bit different than the future we’ve been hoping for. Here are the primary changes for our worship service. All these inconveniences are necessary, so that we are in compliance with New York State guidelines, and CDC recommendations:
• Everyone needs to wear a face mask, for the entire time we’re in the building. We’ll have disposable facemasks for those who need them.
• The ushers will take our temperature, when we enter the building. We have purchased touchless thermometers for this purpose.
• A record will be kept of everyone who enters the building, for tracking purposes in the event of infection.
• Six-foot social distancing will be strictly maintained. The pews have been arranged so that individuals and families can maintain appropriate distance.
• Here’s the really hard part: We won’t sing. We won’t shake hands or pass the peace. We won’t serve communion. We won’t have coffee hour together. Someday we will, but not yet.
• All areas of the building other than the sanctuary and narthex will be closed, and everyone must enter through the east sanctuary door only. The bathrooms will be available, but there will be rules for their use, including only one person at a time.
Click here to see the entire letter.
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