Preparing & Planning for a Return to Public Worship - May 13, 2020

Before each gathering of public worship, all high touch surfaces must be thoroughly and properly cleaned. A link to the CDC guidelines for “Community and Faith-Based Organizations” is included in the Resources section. These guidelines include detailed information about proper cleaning. For outdoor worship, chairs being carried outside for use by the congregation will need to be cleaned before use. Altar Guild members, or others setting up for worship, must be particularly mindful of this requirement.

For outdoor worship, chairs will need to be set up so as to maintain physical distancing of at least six feet. Those attending from the same household may sit together, but others must maintain proper physical distance. Individuals should not mix during worship. In case of rain or other inclement weather, outdoor worship must be cancelled. It cannot be moved indoors. Those planning to attend worship might be invited to bring their own lawn chairs, and will be expected to follow the same criteria for physical distancing.

When the time comes that we are free to worship indoors, in numbers greater than ten, congregations using chairs should set up according to a pattern similar to that described above, for outdoor worship. For congregations with pews, seating could be marked to indicate proper physical distancing, and ushers should assist those present in keeping appropriate distance from one another.

Particularly when we are able to worship publicly indoors again, a plan must be developed to ensure that attendance does not exceed limits set by the Governor. Larger congregations may choose to multiply the number of liturgies offered. Ushers will need to be prepared to monitor attendance and tactfully invite those who would cause attendance to exceed the limit to return for another liturgy. Smaller congregations should anticipate the possibility that members of neighboring congregations may seek to join them for worship, thereby challenging attendance limits. Online worship may continue to be an option for many, for the indefinite future.

For a time, congregations may choose to continue to offer Morning or Evening Prayer as their form of worship. This may allow members to be back together more quickly, before the congregation is confident in celebrating the Holy Eucharist. Worship must be modified in order to prevent unnecessary physical contact during the liturgy. Worship leaders must model physical distancing, wear cloth face coverings, wash hands with soap and water before worship and use hand sanitizer during worship, before and after touching anything that others would touch.

Offering plates must not be passed from person to person. Plates or baskets can be set out in safe, prominent locations to receive offerings according to directions given during the liturgy. It would be best if prayer books and hymnals are handled as little as possible. If practical, congregations may choose to remove them from the church. Printed bulletins, distributed safely, might be a better option. Some congregations may choose to project all words and music that will be needed by the congregation.

At this time, there must be no congregational or choral singing in public worship, as singing has been identified as a particularly risky behavior for the spread of COVID-19. This decision will be regularly reviewed. Soloists may sing publicly, if they practice physical distancing and wear a face covering. Alternatively, at this time congregations may choose to include only instrumental or recorded music during public worship. Nursery care and children’s Christian formation must not be offered during worship until limits and restrictions have been removed to the point of this being a safe option.

As with all public worship, those leading must practice physical distancing, wear face coverings, and wash and sanitize their hands properly. This provision extends to those who will be at the altar for the celebration of Holy Eucharist. The number of individuals handling the vessels and elements of Holy Eucharist must be minimized. Those setting up for the Eucharist, including Altar Guild members, must ensure that all vessels are properly and regularly cleaned. There must be no physical contact during the Exchange of the Peace.

Movement around the worship space should be limited in ways that allow those present to maintain proper physical spacing. Celebrants must consecrate both bread and wine during celebrations of the Eucharist. For now, the chalice of wine must be left on the altar and not offered to those present. This provides an opportunity to teach that receiving communion “in one kind” is a satisfactory option, at least in theological terms. As restrictions are eased, we will reconsider decisions regarding the common cup. Eucharistic ministers must use hand sanitizer before and after handling the bread of communion, and must do everything possible to maintain physical distance from members of the congregation.

During communion, we ought not to use altar rails unless physical distancing can be maintained. We would be better to have those present come to the front of the nave to receive communion, practicing physical distancing on their way forward and on their way back. An argument may be made that there is no method of sharing communion that is without at least some risk. Congregational leadership must make a careful decision about the method that makes most sense in their situation, while minimizing the risk of transmission as much as possible. In principle, the risk of transmission will be lower when fewer people have the chance to touch the bread. Those receiving communion should be instructed not to remove their face covering to consume the bread until they are physically distant from others present. Congregations may choose to incorporate the practice of “spiritual communion” into Eucharistic liturgies, recognizing that some of those who are present may choose not to come forward for communion at this time.

In all of our efforts, care and consideration must be given to the full inclusion of our children and young people in public worship. Our youngest children may have a difficult time sitting still and staying with their own family, and so extra patience and creativity will be needed in order to ensure that they are able to safely practice proper physical distancing.

Plans for special ministries with children and young people should be planned within the limitations and restrictions of our Governor’s Executive Order, including Vacation Bible Schools, Day Camps, Mission Trips or other special activities. Those seeking assistance in planning for ministry with our children and young people should check the materials gathered by Emily Gowdy-Canady, of our Diocesan House staff, and linked from the Resources section of this document. They are titled, “Reset: Spring 2020 Formation Update.” Emily may be reached through Diocesan House if you would appreciate some additional support in making good decisions.

At this time, congregations must not offer coffee gatherings or other forms of reception following worship. As limits are raised and restrictions eased, we will reconsider this in the future.

Ideally, those seeking baptism will be prepared to wait for a time longer, until we are able to gather more easily and with fewer restrictions. If that is neither possible nor desired, clergy have permission to proceed with public baptisms. All preventive measures such as physical distancing, face covering, hand washing and sanitizing must be kept, in all ways that are practical. Additionally, the baptismal water must be made fresh for each person to be baptized. Celebrants are to bless all of the water to be used in one prayerful act, rather than using separate prayers of blessing each time the water is changed. It may be an alternate font should be used in order to better facilitate the changing of the water.

The Bishop will plan to consult with each congregation that he is scheduled to visit, in order that he understands and supports the plan in place for the offering of public worship. As with Baptism, it might be advisable that Confirmations wait until limits are raised and restrictions eased. When that time comes, it remains the Bishop’s intent to offer a series of

regional liturgies that will include the opportunity for Confirmation. If you wish for the Bishop’s visit to include Confirmation, you will need to discuss this possibility with him.