Hybrid Worship Timeline

April 28, 2021

Dear Trinity Community:

Peace be with you in this Easter season! After a long year of COVID restrictions that has kept worship online, we are now moving into a season of “cautious hope,” when we can begin to gather in-person safely. While there are still many unknowns, we are looking forward to a new season of worship and ministry at Trinity.

In the last few months, we have been working hard at Trinity to discern when and how we can gather safely together for in-person worship. We have convened a Worship Task Force to discern and evaluate the needs of worship at Trinity. We conducted a worship survey to better understand our congregation’s experience with online worship as well as hopes and expectations moving forward. Additionally, our Technology Task Force has also been hard at work to identify needs for upgrades to our technology in anticipation of hybrid worship.

We wanted to share an update of where we are as well as a timeline for hybrid worship moving forward. To start, I want to share some results from our hybrid worship survey:

Regarding online worship:

Online worship has been a positive experience and even as we move into a hybrid worship setting, it will be important to continue to offer high quality online worship.

In a range from 1-10, 100% of recipients answered 6 or higher, and 95% reported 8 or higher in their overall experience of online worship.
A growing number of worshipers (currently about 10%) are worshipping online only. These are people who do not live locally or do not have the option of worshipping in person because of health or other reasons.
Even after in-person worship resumes, 82% said you would be somewhat or very likely to take advantage of online worship. This further confirms the need to continue to offer high quality online worship.

Regarding returning to in-person worship:

As more people are getting vaccinated, our congregation is ready to start gathering in person again.

42.4% reported that you would return to in-person worship after a majority of people have been vaccinated and we have reached herd immunity.
25.4% reported that you would return to worship after being vaccinated.
10% reported that you would return at the first opportunity.
10% reported that you worship primarily online and do not plan to participate in in-person worship.

Regarding Singing, Children’s Ministry, and additional programming.

Because of current restrictions on singing, we are exploring ways of safely incorporating music into worship. What was clear was that music remains very important in worship and we want to prioritize worship that allows singing and music to be a vital part of our worship experience. This will probably need to be incremental with singing continuing to be pre-recorded in the near term and live, in-person singing by soloists, small groups, our choir, and congregational singing being phased in as restrictions are relaxed in the future.
We will look into offering separate programming for children’s ministries outside of the Sunday at 11 AM worship experience where families may feel more comfortable participating.

With these results in mind, we have come up with a proposed timeline for Hybrid Worship. Please note that this timeline is based on current projections for safety and restrictions.

PROPOSED TIMELINE FOR HYBRID WORSHIP

PHASE 1: Outdoor Worship

Primary Worship (Sunday at 11 AM) remains online. We will add once a month Outdoor Communion services at 9 AM, in addition to online worship at 11 AM.

Timeline: May 2 and June 13

(Sign up here!)

PHASE 2: Limited Hybrid Worship begins

We will begin in-person, indoor worship in the Sanctuary that will be live-streamed online. In person attendance will be limited based on safety restrictions and limits imposed by the Governor’s Office and by the Virginia Conference. At this time, there are strict restrictions for in person worship including the preacher being masked or wearing a face shield and no live soloists. These restrictions are anticipated to change over time. The Healthy Church Team will work on details and logistics.

Timeline: Starting July 11, 2021

PHASE 3: Open Hybrid Worship

In-person, indoor worship in the Sanctuary live streamed will continue. As restrictions are lifted, we will be able to invite more people into the sanctuary for worship.

Timeline: September 12 (Fall Kick-Off)

All of these in-person gatherings will follow appropriate protocols to ensure safety for all such as masking and social distancing, among other safety protocols. Please note that this timeline is subject to change based on guidance we receive from the VA Governor’s Office and the VAUMC Bishop’s Office and we will keep you posted on changes as needed.

We are looking forward to gathering in person again soon and appreciate your patience and understanding as we take the necessary steps to make that a possibility!

Peace,

Worship Task Force

Susan Collins

Greg Saunders

Jon Hoganson

Jen Bemisderfer

Hannah Day Donoghue

Pastor Grace Han