As promised in my previous email, here is an update on our return to in-person worship. I am excited to announce that we will begin on
Sunday, July 12th, with one service at 10am
. The Bishop has revised our gathering limitation to be 100 people or 25% of occupancy, whichever is less, in accordance with state recommendations. That means we should be able to all gather as one. The service will be streamed over Facebook Live for those who are unable or uncomfortable attending in person. (Yes, this means starting on Zoom for fellowship and then switching to Facebook for the service.) We will also provide a link in advance to download the bulletin so those at home can follow along.
Weather permitting, the service will be conducted on the Kensington lawn, so feel free to dress casually. We are also asking that you do not enter the building unless absolutely necessary (such as to use the restroom) so the breezeway doors will be locked. If we have to move indoors, please enter only from Kensington through the door at the west end of the sanctuary.
Please bring the following items with you:
- A mask or other face covering. They will be required, whether indoors or outdoors. We will have some extra in case you forget, but not enough for everyone.
- A chair or blanket on which to sit. Again, we will have chairs available but want to minimize the touching of objects.
- Coffee or your morning beverage of choice.
- A pen.
- Some hand sanitizer. Again, we will have limited quantities available.
- Your phone, tablet, or laptop if you would still like to join the Zoom fellowship from 9:30-9:55am.
Here is what to expect during the service, whether indoors or out:
- Upon arrival, you will be greeted by an usher and directed to a table to pick up your bulletin and sign in for the service (hence the pen). This record will be used for contact tracing following the service in the unfortunately event that a parishioner later develops symptoms. You will also find a basket for depositing your pledge envelope. Plates will not be passed during the service.
- You will be asked to find a space to sit at least 10 feet from any other households. Indoors, this means leaving two vacant pews between families and sitting only at the ends of each pew. Ushers will assist with this spacing.
- The service will proceed in the familiar fashion (although without any singing) until Communion. If we are outside, the ministers will go around and bring hosts to each family group. Please do not lower your mask to consume it until the minister has left your vicinity. If we are inside, the ushers will direct family groups to come forward in a distanced manner and stand (not kneel) at the altar rail to receive the host. Again, please do not remove your mask to consume it until you are back at your seat. Following the Bishop's direction, wine will not be distributed at this time. Also, please sanitize your hands prior to coming forward.
- At the conclusion of the service, instructions will be given for an orderly departure. We will ask that people leave from the back forwards. There will also be a recycling container to deposit your worship bulletin.
Again, I am excited to see many of you in person very soon. For those who might be high risk or care for people who are, please feel free to continue to worship with us online. Finally, although I hope it would go without saying, please do not come in person if you feel ill or have been exposed to someone with the virus. We believe that the precautions we are taking will make this safe and comfortable for everyone, even if it feels weird at first.
Blessings,
Dave+
