Groups are still not meeting inside the church. Church Groups can meet outside if they would like. Bring a chair, sit around on the lawn, at the fire pit or wherever you like. Be sure to let me know if you are going to do this.
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MASS PROCEDURES and POLICIES
Coming to Mass at this time is not for everyone. If you are in a high risk group, you are ill or you may have been exposed to anyone with the Coronavirus in the last two weeks, you should stay home. I long for you to be in church, but the reality is, your health is important and the health of others is important. Life is sacred. As important as coming together as a faith community is, I do not believe that God wants us take the kind of unnecessary risks that will put life at risk. The Bishop has given a dispensation from the obligation of attending Mass until September 7. If you plan to attend Mass you should be aware of the following:
- Only one door may be used for entering the Church. The door will be those on the right at the front of the Church. You will not be able to enter from the lower level, those doors will be locked.
- Masks must be worn in the Church except those acting in ministerial roles during Mass.
- Seating will be done from the front of the Church to the back (at this time, you will not be able to pick your seat)
- Once the capacity of the Church has been reached, no one else will b permitted into the church.
- In order to prevent disturbance, the doors will be locked at the start of Mass. Once the doors are locked, no one else will be permitted to enter. (do not worry, the doors will still open from the inside - so you will not be trapped in Church or prevented from leaving. So please be on time.
- There are no hymnals/missals to use at this time (they have been removed from the pews).
- There will not be the usual Offertory. Baskets will be placed at the back of the church if you wish to leave a donation.
- There is to be no touching during the Sign of Peace (except members of the same household). The sign of peace can be exchanged by waving or nodding at others.
- For Communion, the priest, deacon or Eucharistic Minister will come to you.
- Communion will only be offered in the hands.
- While distributing Communion, the Priest, Deacon and or Eucharistic Ministers will be wearing masks.
- Gloves may not be worn to receive or distribute Communion.
- The loft will not be available for seating.
- The Cry Room will not be open (it is too small to have adequate social distancing).
- I feel that it is impossible to clean the restrooms after every use, so the restrooms will be closed.
- Please do not congregate in the parking lot - maintain social distancing at all times - as much as possible anyway.