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Re-gathering letter from the Pastors

June 3, 2020

 

Greetings,

It is a joy to let you know that the worship service will resume at St. James on Sunday, June 14 at 10:45 AM.  It is important to remember that this does not mean that all is well nor that things can go back to normal.  The coronavirus is still a threat.  Council has met and set up procedures to keep us all as safe as possible as we gather.  However, you are encouraged to make a careful decision about individually returning to church.  If you feel uncomfortable with the risk that exists when people gather, please know that it is okay to stay at home and worship privately as you have for the last couple of months.  We are all united in prayer no matter where we are on the morning of June 14.

If you make the decision to come to church, here is what you will experience.  We will observe all the guidance provided by the CDC, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and our Bishop’s office.  This means:

Masks are required, and must be worn throughout the service. This is mandated by the state and our church insurance carrier.

Social distancing must be observed.  You will find pews marked with blue tape.  These are the pews that you are to sit in.  We need to protect each other by staying six feet apart.  However, people who have been living in the same household are welcome to be together.  This applies not only during the service, but also as we arrive and leave the building.

We will not be sharing the peace with each other. You may greet each other from an appropriate distance when entering and leaving the building.

Singing will be very limited.  Some studies have found that singing significantly increases our respiratory discharge.  We, therefore, will be extra careful with our use of singing.

The pastors will setup and clean up communion. They will wear masks and gloves when doing so. The pastor celebrating and distributing communion will wash their hands before the service and again before communion.

Communion will be in “one kind”.  This means that you only receive the wafer.  This is odd for Lutherans.  We are used to receiving both the bread and wine.  In order to keep things as risk-free as possible, our bishop is asking that for the time being that we commune in one kind only.

One person should come forward down the center aisle for communion at a time to receive the wafer from the pastor.  It will be dropped into your hand in order to avoid contact. Some marks will be on the floor to show the six foot distance that the people waiting in the aisle should maintain.  After receiving the wafer, you will move to the side. You can then lower your mask, commune, and then return your mask. You then can return to your seat using the side aisle.

Bulletins will be on the pews for you in the location where you can take your seat and still maintain the correct social distancing.  At the end of the service, please leave your bulletin in the place where you have been sitting.  This will help the janitor know where to sanitize before we gather again.

The offering plates will not be passed.  Instead a plate will be on a stand as you come into the sanctuary for you to place your offering.

Our long-awaited Easter flowers will be present on the 14th.  Of course, they won’t be Easter flowers.  They will be whatever Warner’s Florist has available. They will most likely be cut flowers.

And…remember to keep your sense of humor sharp.  This will be different, and it might get awkward.  None of us have done this before, and nobody knows exactly what is perfect.  We are simply trying to do the best that we can do to try to keep everyone safe.  Be kind. Be gracious.  Be worshipful.

Pastors Carol and Scott Custead 

P.S. We will be doing a food bank collection as we return. Nonperishable food stuff can be placed in the tubs in the church entrance. It will be delivered to our neighborhood food bank at St. Luke’s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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