Celebrating 100 years: 1921- 2021

The Bishop’s Visit to St. Andrew’s

13 Sep 2020 | 09:00 am - 10:00 am

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

Guidelines and Protocols for Resuming  Worship On-Site

During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic St. Andrews will offer in person, on-site services in a modified format. This format addresses safety concerns for both parishioners and those conducting worship services including the clergy, members of the music ministry and other assisting lay persons in various roles.

The first phase of the resumption of on-site public worship will be the offering of a single outdoor service to be held on the Day School grounds.  The second phase will be the resumption of a single indoor service to be held in the church. The third phase will be the resumption of services at both 8AM and 10 AM. The transition from one phase to the next will be determined by ongoing evaluations of both the effectiveness of the guidelines and protocols put in place to keep individuals safe and healthy, and also the adherence of them by all.

Phase 2

 

Date: Sunday, Sept 6th and forward.

Time: 9:00am

Location of services: Inside the church utilizing alternate pews for seating.

 

Please note: If you arrive at the service after it starts, you will need to be seated at the back of the church. We appreciate your understanding.

 

Prior to the Service:

Parishioners not feeling well before coming to church need to stay home to care for themselves and protect others.

Everyone will have their temperature taken, before entering the church with a thermal non-contact thermometer. Anyone who presents with a fever will be asked to return home and seek medical attention as may be necessary.

Everyone will be expected to wear a mask upon leaving their vehicle and during the service except while taking communion. Additional masks will be provided by the church at no cost for those who need them.

Parishioners will be asked to practice hand washing prior to coming to church. Upon entry to the church parishioners will be asked to practice hand hygiene using had sanitizer which will be made available. Hand sanitizer will also be available in the narthex and frequent use is encouraged such as prior and after receiving Communion and prior to leaving at the end of the service

The church doors will be opened 15 minutes prior to the start of service. Parishioners are to remain in their cars until that time.   The Service will not start until everyone is seated.

Ushers will lead parishioners to the pews so that social distancing can be maintained. Once seated, parishioners are to remain there for the entire service, except for to receive Communion.  Rows will be blocked off so that alternate pews will be used.

The Collection Plate will be placed at the back of the church so that upon entering offerings may be deposited in the plate.

Doors and windows in the church will be left open during the services to increase fresh air flow. Parishioners will enter and exit through the front doors of the church only.

During the Service:

The choir will be limited to three members and will not be reintroduced into services until July of 2020. This will change as per public health recommendations to be determined later.

Godly play will not be available for children at this time. Children will remain with their families throughout the service.

St. Peter’s Chapel and the Cry Room will both be closed until further notice. Families with children will be instructed  how to exit the church if the children need a break.

A single person will read all appropriate readings for the day.

Communion will be limited to receiving the Host only. Instructions will be given as to where Communion will be administered as well as guidance for maintaining social distancing while moving from and back to the pew.

After the Service:

At the conclusion of the service the ushers will cue those in the pews when to exit so as to maintain an orderly departure while maintain social distancing.

There will be no formal fellowship gatherings, such as Coffee Hour, until Phase 3.If parishioners wish to speak to others following the service, a 6 minimum feet distance must be maintained and masks must be worn. Parishioners will be reminded to watch out for others as they return to their vehicles.

Restrooms will be available only on an emergency basis. Parishioners are strongly encouraged to plan accordingly prior to arrival. Should there be an emergent need the individual will be escorted to the Parish Hall and the rest room will be sanitized immediately after use.

All access to the rest of the building will be strictly prohibited, this includes the sacristies, choir room, rest rooms and offices.

All accessed surfaces will be disinfected after the service.

Please note:

As national, state, and local health department recommendations are modified, the practices will be modified to be in concert with those recommendations.