Worship under the guidelines and best practices necessitated by Covid-19 will be familiar in some ways and different in others. Our goal is to resist focusing on the things we can’t do and to embrace with energy and creativity the things that we can!
We will have a liturgy!
Volunteer Bible readers will use the lectern and prayer ‘gatherers’ and readers will receive hand-held microphones so that they can lead us using quiet voices. During some parts of the liturgy we’ll use gestures and signs to communicate rather than group speaking or singing.
We will have music!
An assigned singer (cantor) will carry the tunes. It will be okay for you to hum or sing quietly along (into your mask).
What we will have communion regularly!
Currently, communion elements will be distributed as you come into worship, and you will receive the sacrament in your pew. When in-person worship continues to evolve, walking up the center aisle to receive the sacrament will feel familiar. The actual receiving of the elements will be arranged so that we maintain appropriate distance and avoid touching.
We will have intimacy.
One of the reasons people are eager to worship in person is to be with and see other people. Even though we won’t be able to pass the peace by touch, we can see and chat with one another after we exit the church building.
We can get creatiev!
We are looking into opportunities for outdoor worship in the Park (and parking lot!). We know that outdoor worship is not everyone’s cup of communion wine, but our hope is that those still cautious about indoor gathering will feel more comfortable in the Park. The risks of catching or spreading COVID-19 are greatly reduced when we’re outdoors, especially as we’ll continue to wear masks and practice physical distancing.
And there are a few things we can't do...
We can’t pass the offering plates. But plates will be located at entrance and exit.