Re-Starting Our Gathering

"When can we come back?" Many of you have been wondering when it will be safe to return to Church. More important than an- swering “IF” our churches will reopen or “WHEN” our churches will reopen – is “HOW” we will reopen.

We are just beginning to consider how to accom- plish that. With the Governor’s Plan for reopening of the State and the Bishop’s "United Methodist Guidelines" in hand, a Task Force from the Church will create a re-entry plan that is both cautious and safe for everyone involved. We must ensure the care and safety of anyone who worships with us in-person.

Think about all the people who take part in the life of our Church, stretching from Sunday Schools, to the Busy Bees’ Preschool, our Scouting group, a Recovery group, youth and children’s programs, the Refit Aerobics, choir rehearsals, and committee meetings. It will be necessary to undergo a thorough cleaning between each activity that takes part within the building in order to eliminate cross contamination between all the people who would be using the building.

So, the re-start will obviously be a slow process, one that will have three or four stages. When we reopen, we will not be putting together a lot of activities. We will begin with one 10 a.m. “In- Worship” Sunday morning gathering as we continue worship-streaming on the internet. The In-Worship gathering could include 50 people, with every other pew empty in order to maintain social distancing. (We will survey our group to determine the desire or need for some who want to be present in the first stage.)

Because of our concern for everyone’s health, the Task Force will need to orchestrate this movement together. We can’t afford to go at this independently, with different groups deciding what they will do separately. We can’t afford to create conflict with impulsive powwows or group meetings to come and go without the necessary protocol for cleaning or disinfecting.

Receiving the offering will be different than what we’ve practiced. We will temporarily suspend Holy Communion. There won’t be handshakes and hugs! Even singing can create a higher risk of virus because of virus droplets in the air. Masks and gloves may be an addition to our worship dress. Church will look different at least through the end of 2020. 

— Pastor Kevin