Churches: Embracing the New Normal

Churchgoers adjust to the new normal as states and churches reopen following a nearly three-month closure. Read below two examples of churches that are ensuring safety within their congregations.

Churches: Embracing the New Normal

Citizen’s Voice: County churches begin reopening with changes

At St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania church services have resumed with mandatory social-distancing and other safety precautions in place. After ten weeks of attending online services, patrons were thrilled to return to their church and gain some sense of normalcy following the shutdown caused by COVID-19 pandemic.

The new safety precautions in place require all parishioners wear a mask and maintain social-distancing, and a limit of only 25% of a church’s seating capacity.

Members of the congregation shared: “Virtual services were better than nothing, but there is nothing like worshipping alongside friends and fellow church-goers.”

Read the full article here: https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-churches-begin-reopening-with-changes-1.2633749

Crux Catholic Media: With safety precautions, joyful spirit, Masses resume at Maryland church

Catholic churches in southern Maryland began attending Masses the week of May 31, following the state initiating their gradual reopening.

In the District of Columbia, and Prince George and Montgomery counties, gatherings were limited to ten or less people.

“All those in the congregation wore facemasks and maintained a 6-foot distance from one another, except for family groups allowed to sit together. Massgoers also sat in alternate pews, with every other pew roped off.”

In order to follow safety guidelines set forth by the archdiocese hymnals were not available among the pews and parish bulletins were not distributed, parishioners were not invited to share the sign of peace, and everyone partaking in Communion received the Eucharist in their hands. In lieu of taking collection, parishes will establish special donation receptacles near church entrances, and there is an option to donate online!

Read the full story here: https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2020/06/with-safety-precautions-joyful-spirit-masses-resume-at-maryland-church/

As your church embraces these changes, ensure all needs are being met by members of your congregation. Call Karasch when you need Real-Time Captioning and/or American Sign Language Interpretation!