Dear St Paul Family,
At last night’s meeting, Council voted to offer in-person worship beginning Sunday, August 2nd. In previous correspondence, Pat Sherman and I have explained the safeguards which will be in effect upon reopening both in terms of logistics and order of service. That information is provided again at the end of this letter.
There can never be any guarantees of a risk-free environment and so each person must decide for himself or herself whether to attend worship services given each one’s particular circumstances and the existing conditions in the community. As I have mentioned before, we deserve to have these decisions made free of judgment. I am writing to share with you that I have informed the Council that I personally am not going to return to worship at this time. In my place, I will be trying to arrange for a substitute preacher/presider. I would like to explain to you my reasoning.
Presently, Public Health experts, using seven indicia, describe the Covid-19 Public Emergency in Franklin County as “Very high exposure and spread. Limit activities as much as possible.” Governor DeWine said recently that in speaking with the health commissioners of the most affected counties he was told that the virus is spreading out of family gatherings, tourist destinations, funerals, churches, and some workplaces.
From the early days of the virus, “vulnerable people” have been advised to exercise extra caution in their activities. I have been told by my doctors that I am at high risk both for contracting the virus and for severe symptoms resulting from the virus due to a compromised immune system owing to the blood cancer that I have. Accordingly, except for two funerals that I officiated recently, I have been very careful about where I go and with whom I have contact. I intend to continue to be cautious, following the advice of experts.
I understand the Council’s desire to provide in-person worship opportunities for those who can see their way clear to attend. Pressure is being brought to bear as other congregations open. Therefore, due to my absence, I will be striving to arrange for a Supply Preacher/Presider through the Southern Ohio Synod. Of course, that person will have to be comfortable with the St. Paul plan prior to making a commitment.
I feel badly about the circumstances that have fallen upon us, but let us move forward with conscience and love intact.
Peace and blessings,
Pastor Bill
Following is the most recent version of the St Paul return to in-person worship plan.
St. Paul is returning to in-person worship on Sunday, August 2, 2020. Please do not attend if you have a fever or are feeling ill in any way.
1. How many services? 1 @ 10:00 AM We’ll try to keep services to 45 minutes.
2. How will we spread out in the sanctuary? Families that shelter together can sit close but otherwise we will need to keep 6′ separation between worshipers. We will use every other row. Certain areas will be closed off in order to get the desired spacing.
Assumptions and Recommendation
– Strict adherence to the 6’ personal space requirement except between family members who normally “shelter” together.
– There will be a “one way” traffic flow for entry & exit.
– The following upper floor areas will be cordoned off to prevent access:
– Area west of the elevator, the kitchen and Multipurpose Room
– The hallway from the Nursery to, and including, the Narthex
– During the service, all exterior doors can remain unlocked to accommodate emergency exit but pre- and post-service entry & exit will be done as follows:
Building Entry
– Entry will only be through the “main doors” (near elevator) then up the stairs (or via the elevator) to the upper floor.
– On the upper floor, all traffic will use the hallway to the right, past the coatrack, then left to enter the Sanctuary through the overflow area.
Sanctuary entry
– Those who wish to sit on the Lectern side will use the left (west) aisle to move to their row
– Those who wish to sit on the Pulpit side will cross the front of the sanctuary and use the right (east) aisle to move to their row
– To maintain 6’ separation, all should move past empty pews near the front and continue to the first available pew toward the rear.
Sanctuary seating
– The following measurements apply:
– Center aisle is only 5’ wide so any traffic in the aisle violates 6’ spacing with anyone sitting on the aisle end of a pew. (The same is true for the aisle between the overflow rows. To ensure adequate spacing there, any seating in the overflow could be restricted until the sanctuary is full when, presumably, there would be no further traffic through the overflow.)
– The diagonal distance between pews across the center aisle is 6’
– Space between 3 pews (leaving one empty) is 6’
– “Narrow” pews (rear, front & overflow), are 10’8’ wide will seat 2 people
– “Wide pews (rows 6-14) are 14’ wide, will seat 3 people
– Based on the above, in order maintain 6’ personal separation it is necessary to leave every other pew unoccupied and to prevent use of the center aisle.
– If all attendees require 6’ separation, the sanctuary will accommodate 49 people. Obviously, adding families to the mix will increase that number. A few seats are also available in the loft.
Sanctuary and Building Exit
Have the pulpit side leave beginning with the rear and use the Pasadena Avenue exit. At the same time have the overflow (transept) and lectern side exit using last in, first out order and leaving the same way they entered. Then have elevator users go last after sanctuary empties out. This way people would be leaving the church at 2 locations and can spread out for after-church socially distant conversations.
3. It is recommended that everything be taken out of the pew racks. There should be a minimum of common touching of anything. So, no hymnals, attendance sheets, pencils etc.
4. How to safely distribute the bulletins.
5. How can Holy Communion safely be administered? Pre-filled communion cups with wrapped wafers are available. The words of institution will be spoken during the service and the elements will be consumed privately at home.
6. Should people be wearing masks while in the church building, including during worship? Yes. The presider/preacher need not wear a mask while speaking. Speaking should be done from in front of or behind the altar in order to maintain appropriate distancing from congregants.
7. Should we put away the bags that are used for the children? Yes
8. The nursery will have to be off limits. MPR and basement should also be closed to the general public.
9. It is recommended that there be no social gatherings or Sunday school at least until schools reopen safely.
10. Place tape markings on the floor to show distances and traffic patterns.
11. No choir. No congregational singing.
12. No coffee hour.
13. Leave as many doors open as possible to minimize touches on handles. Greeters will manage doors and traffic flow.
14. Open windows and sanctuary doors. Maximize ventilation and exchange.
ABOUT THE SERVICE
Before entering the sanctuary, you will receive the Today’s Readings bulletin insert along with a paper that has words to two hymns and the Apostle’s Creed. You will also be given a pre-packaged communion wafer and juice container. Through the course of the service the hymns will be played by Mary on the organ or keyboard but they will not be sung. The reason for this is because of the abundant virus particles that are expelled by a singer even when masked. We are going to have to learn to sing silently in our minds.
In your modified bulletin there will be no congregational speaking parts. This is recommended in order to minimize the release of virus aerosol which takes place while speaking even with a mask on. (Even normal breathing produces statistically significant levels of viral particles.) As you can see, we will be giving the word liturgy (work of the people) a whole new meaning. Where in the past, the work included singing and speaking, for a while the work will be all mental. In the past, there was a lot of sit down – stand up action. For now, the congregation will be sitting for most of the service. Services formerly lasted 60-70 minutes. We have been encouraged to limit them to 45 minutes. The reason for this is to decrease the time that people are exposed to the aerosol produced by the group in an enclosed setting.
The Pastor will enter the sanctuary from the “old sacristy” wearing a mask and will walk into the chancel in front of the altar to greet you and make some announcements. Whenever the Pastor is speaking to the congregation, she/he will not be masked. The Pastor will try to maintain at least 18 feet of separation from the closest person as recommended by scientists and the Synod. Most of the speaking will be done from in front of and behind the altar.
After the Prelude there will be a time for Confession. This will include plenty of quiet time for personal reflection and examination. We will not use the kneelers, but instead, remain seated. Then the Opening Hymn will be played without singing or humming. There may be occasions where recorded music will be used so that we can hear voices singing a hymn.
The Prayer of the Day will be spoken by the Pastor only, then the Lessons will be read. The Lector will read from behind the altar. In the past, the choir or soloists have offered a song before the lessons. We have been advised that singers should be socially distanced and masked when singing. Therefore, it will not be practical for the choir to rehearse or sing in worship during this interim period. Even soloists are told to be masked and stand at least 18 feet away from the closest person.
The Gospel will be read and a short sermon will be preached. We will then meditate while listening to the Hymn of the Day and quietly reflecting on the Apostle’s Creed. The Prayers of the Church will be said but without congregational responses.
We will still share the Lord’s peace silently with one another and from a distance. You can wave, flash a peace sign, or bow. We will then prepare for the Holy Communion with music from Mary and the organ. Offering plates will not be passed. They are located at the doors of the sanctuary.
The Holy Communion liturgy will be abbreviated and you will already have received pre-packaged elements of bread and juice before entering the sanctuary. They will be consecrated during the service but consumed at home. We are trying this method in order to make the preparation and distribution of Holy Communion as safe as possible. The Lord’s Prayer will be meditated upon silently while Mary plays a musical version.
Holy Communion will be followed by a Benediction and Dismissal. Mary will play a postlude as worshipers leave the sanctuary. The Pastor will depart in the same way that she/he entered. Unfortunately, the Pastor will not be greeting you at the door as you leave. One reason is because of the distance that needs to be maintained and another is the need to keep people moving in an orderly manner. Weather permitting, the Pastor may be available outside of the church for masked conversations that maintain the 6 feet distance rule.
The goal is for conversation and visiting to take place outside of the building, as much as possible. We are blessed with both sidewalks and green space to help us achieve our goal.
As you can see from this plan, your safety is paramount as we prepare for face to face worship in our building. The approach being taken by the Council is to err on the side of safety. With most of our worshipers being defined as “vulnerable” we are of the mind that we should not assume any unreasonable and unnecessary risk. This standard is subjective but we have a Council that we can trust. And each of you will have the last word on whether or not you attend. That decision will be made free of judgment. Those who do not attend will be able to watch the service later in the week after our tech-team provides a link to view the service on-line or a disc can be made. Ryan Kennedy is the primary contact for this option.