Moving Toward Public Worship

UPDATE: June 24, 2020

Preparing for a Return to In Person Worship

The Board of Deacons has developed procedures for gathering the congregation for worship. We believe that we will be able to welcome people on Sunday, July 5. We are closely following the reports of COVID-19 cases. We may postpone in-person worship if we think the risks have risen too high.

It will not be a completely familiar experience. We will use folding chairs rather than the pews so that they can be more easily disinfected between services. Household groups will need to stay six feet apart. We will join a line to enter just as we do for grocery stores. And yes, we will all wear masks.

May 26, 2020

Church of the Holy Cross is making plans to resume public worship services in July of 2020. Please note that any date is extremely tentative at this time. The Board of Deacons may revise this projection at any time based on conditions. If procedures or supplies are not ready, we will not hold public worship. If community transmission of COVID-19 resumes, we will not hold public worship.

Live streaming of the worship service will continue. Because of the need to maintain physical distance between people of different households, we will have significantly less seating in the sanctuary. In addition, we will continue to serve those who remain at home.

Some things you can expect in a public worship service:

• Pews will be replaced with folding chairs that can be easily disinfected. (updated)
• Household groups will be spaced six feet apart. (updated)
• All worshipers, including worship leaders, will wear masks. Masks will be available for those who forget to bring one.
• Worshipers will join a line to enter just as we do for grocery stores and enter through one door. (updated)
• The walks will be marked to indicate six feet of separation between arriving households; worshipers should maintain that distance when arriving and when departing.
• Worshipers will be asked to apply hand sanitizer on entering the building.
• All windows will be open to provide maximum ventilation.
• Worshipers will “sign in” on arrival. In the event that we learn someone present at worship has been ill, we will need this information to provide to health officials and to notify the congregation of potential exposure.
• Video cameras will be noticeable to the worshipers present so we can provide streaming services.
• Bibles and hymnals will not be present in the pews.
• The choir will not be rehearsing or singing.
• The service will not include congregational hymn singing.
• Most music will be instrumental. Any vocal singing will be limited to a solo or duet.
• The pastor and lay leader will use different microphones.
• Children will not come forward for the story.

This is not a comprehensive list; we will expand it as we approach resumption of public worship services.