Easter is nearly upon us, with its promise of new and renewed life. In gratitude for all God’s blessings, Grace Episcopal Church will begin to worship together in our building again, beginning Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021 at 10:30 a.m.
SAFETY

We will abide strictly by the COVID-19 restrictions called for by our diocese as well as by our village, county, and state public health officials. Safety for everyone takes precedence over everything else.
CONNECTION

We will include and integrate those who participate in the church building and those who participate elsewhere. Over the past year Grace’s community life has flourished online, with parishioners and friends joining in from near and far. That won’t stop.
Worship on Easter Day, no matter where we are, won’t be quite like what we’ve been used to. It will look and feel a little different. As time goes on and we learn together, your input will help us know what to adjust as we make worship with our integrated community work best for everyone.
BEFORE YOU ATTEND THE SERVICE

• The number of people in the sanctuary will be limited in accordance with public health guidelines.

• If you plan to worship in the sanctuary, please make reservations for up to 6 members of your household at graceoakpark.org/Easter (click here). If you need assistance making a reservation, please contact either of our wardens:
Karen-Jo Mensch
(773) 727-0475
David de Jong
(312) 415-0372
• If you plan to worship via Zoom, please sign in after 10:15 a.m. as usual. The link appears at graceoakpark.org/worship.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE SERVICE

• Everyone will need to enter through the church’s main entrance on Lake Street.

• Everyone in your party must wear a mask inside the church building.

• Ushers will check temperatures upon arrival.

• Worshipers will receive service leaflets.

• Ushers will seat worshipers in socially-distanced groups, by household.
DURING THE SERVICE

• The windows and doors of the church will remain open for good ventilation.

• There will be music, but we will not sing together in the sanctuary.

• Worshipers will each receive a wafer for Communion from the reserved sacrament when they arrive.

• We will remain in our places to receive Communion and for the Peace.

• Children will need to remain with their family in the pews.
AFTER THE SERVICE

• Virtual coffee hour will take place online as usual.

• Ushers will invite worshipers to exit in socially-distanced household groups.

• We will not linger inside the church after the service, nor congregate by the doors.
KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTED
Integrated worship calls for the use of video equipment. We will maintain the dignity of our sanctuary while digitally enhancing our communal experience.
• Carefully chosen and placed lights, webcams, cables, and screens will make it possible for Grace’s ministers and worshipers to see and hear one another no matter where they are, while respecting the beauty and integrity of our church building.
• Our Zoom-masters will occupy a small work station in a side aisle, just as lighting and sound technicians set up their work stations for concerts and other events in our church.
• Any worshiper can be omitted from the Zoom video broadcast, if desired. Those worshiping via Zoom may simply turn off their own video feed; those worshiping in the sanctuary may request to be seated out of camera range.
As we live into this new way of being Grace together, circumstances may call for changes or adjustments, and we will keep the parish informed. We also ask you to share your experience of worship in the months ahead: an open survey is available at graceoakpark.org for you to provide feedback.
GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
924 Lake St, Oak Park, IL 60301 · (708) 386-8036 · graceoakpark.org