The Big Decision: When to Assemble Non-Virtually

Our synod has just released guidelines for re-opening.  Just reading the 2 page letter exhausted me a bit.

It talks about keeping the AC running, but propping doors open.  It talks about all the materials that need to be removed from sanctuaries:  hymnbooks, bibles, bulletins.  It talks about the sanitizing that should be done, and the need for ushers to remind people to stay spaced apart.  It talks about what not to do, like singing and speaking loudly and passing the peace.  It even talks about plastic partitions to keep the minister and congregation safe from each other.

We won't need to worry about any of it any time soon.  We are not in phase 3 of re-opening.  I'm not even sure we're in phase 2 down here at the southeast tip of the state.  The Synod also recommends not re-opening until we've had 14 consecutive days of decreasing caseload.  Right now, we have just the opposite--each day sets a new record of cases.

As we drove home from church yesterday, the church where 8 of us gathered to assist with the livestream, I noticed a church with a full parking lot.  I wondered why they decided to start meeting in person again.  I wondered if they're spaced out inside the sanctuary--the parking lot looked fairly full for a church that looked somewhat small.

My church has decided that we don't see any benefits to assembling in person:  we can't sing, we can't have coffee hour, we can't pass the peace, we'd have to stay spaced out.  Staying with our virtual, livestreamed service might be a better worship experience, especially since we're not deciding between virtual and the way church used to be.  We can't do it that way right now, although I am sure some churches will ignore prudent advice.

Happily, from what I can see, our pastor, the larger synod leadership, our local leadership, and our parishioners are all in agreement.  I know that not every church is so lucky.