My first update to our congregation occurred at the beginning of the pandemic when we were growing accustomed to mask wearing, social distancing, and learning how to stay connected with Zoom and Google Meets. The COVID-19 vaccine was months away and the best we could do to keep each other safe was to follow public health guidance and pray. Thanks to the miraculous efforts by leading scientists and heroic efforts from doctors, nurses, and public health officials, our community is turning the corner on the pandemic. Since January 20, 2021, COVID-19 infection rates have fallen precipitously in Northern Virginia and vaccination rates are leading national averages. Due to our progress, Governor Northam eased several public health measures on May 28, 2021, by issuing Executive Order Number Seventy-Nine. Following suit, Bishop Lewis of the United Methodist Church Virginia Conference issued new guidance that permits our church to take greater control in planning and resuming in person worship again.

Starting this new phase, the Healthy Church Team is restructured as the Post-COVID Re-entry Group (PRG). While our charter remains similar, our efforts turn towards bringing our congregation back together safely. Last month, Pastor Han outlined several indoor and outdoor worship opportunities at Trinity this summer. This includes outdoor worship services through June and welcoming people inside the sanctuary starting July 11^th. That timeline remains the same and as we ease into this “new normal”, we will continue to observe many of the public health measures that we have grown accustomed. Trinity remains a church that welcomes everyone through our doors and we will not check or separate our members or parishioners based on vaccination status.  

Our growing children and youth population remains the last segment of the population that is not eligible for vaccination. As such, we are taking a deliberate yet cautious approach to keep everyone safe. In the near term, we will continue to wear masks and practice social distancing during indoor in person worship. This requirement will be eased for fully vaccinated worship leaders while preaching, reading liturgy, or delivering the children’s sermon and for certain musical soloists while singing. Social distancing will continue, and registration is required to reserve one of the ‘pods’ in the sanctuary for indoor worship (with a cap at 100 people at each worship service). As we approach each worship opportunity, we will promulgate the public health measures in advance. We will share information about how to register in the weeks ahead!