Morning Worship at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Meriden, CT

20 Catlin Street,Meriden CT 06410

20 December, 2020

Description

In-person socially distant morning worship inside St. Andrew's church. Specific pews available to maintain social distance. As loving neighbors, good citizens, and responsible Christians, we have developed the following rules for worship during the pandemic. Review them before attending and adhere to them at all times. 1. Starting Sunday, October 11, we’ll be asking all attendees to RSVP. Click HERE to RSVP that you are attending worship this week, and include the number of all members of your household who will attend with you. State law requires that we limit our attendance at indoor services. RSVPs will allow us to ensure we don’t exceed our safe, lawful capacity. 2. We have created a seating plan that restricts worshipers to certain pews. THE RIGHT SIDE AISLE, as you enter the church, is reserved for those who consider themselves to be HIGH RISK. Members who sit in these pews are asked to remain in their pews during the distribution of Holy Communion. Other members are asked NOT to enter this area. Please do not sit in pews designated for our higher risk parishioners unless you fit that category. Ushers will help you to seat yourselves in an appropriate pew. Please DON'T share pews with people you don't live with. 3. If you are in a high risk category by reason of health or age and choose to worship in church with us, we ask that you adhere to the following: Please indicate to the usher that you are high risk. The usher will seat you in designated spaces where other parishioners are less likely to walk by. Holy Communion will be brought to your pew. We will give ample time at the end of the service to allow for your exit from the sanctuary prior to the rest of the congregation. You are responsible for determining your risk and acting appropriately for yourself. 4. RESTROOMS ARE AVAILABLE FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY. Please restrict your fluid intake prior to worship, as we would like to limit the use of bathrooms for the safety of everyone. Children must be accompanied by an adult household member into the bathroom hallways to ensure social distancing is maintained at all times. Also, WINDOWS WILL BE OPEN for ventilation. It might be chilly in the sanctuary, even though the heat will be on. Plan your attire accordingly. 5. By attending, you are telling us that you and all of your household have had your temperatures taken and are all under 100.4. If you don't have a thermometer in your house, we will have a touchless thermometer at the entrance. If your temperature is elevated, we will be forced to deny you and your party entry. 6. By attending, you are telling us that you and all members of your household: -Have not tested positive for COVID in the last 10 days. -Have not traveled to any state on the Connecticut Advisory List (please contact the office if you are not sure which states are on the list). -Do not have any COVID symptoms. -Have not been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID in the last 14 days. -Feel healthy. 7. Masks or other approved face coverings must be worn at all times inside the church by worshipers and children over the age of 2. Please wear your face coverings as soon as you exit your vehicle as there may be a wait associated with entry into the church. Please maintain 6 feet between your household and other households while waiting to enter the sanctuary. You will be asked to use hand sanitizer as you enter the sanctuary. 8. The reader/intercessor will be unmasked while reading or praying at the lectern. The measured distance from the lectern to the first row of attendees is sufficiently great that this is safe. All readers/intercessors are asked to use hand sanitizer before approaching and after leaving the lectern. 9. The preacher will be unmasked during the sermon. The measured distance from the preacher's location to the first row of attendees is sufficiently great that this is safe. 10. After you are given your communion wafer, we ask that you return to your pew prior to removing your mask and consuming the bread wafer. Please replace your mask as soon as possible. Please follow the path indicated by our ushers to and from your pew. 11. The celebrant, when we begin Holy Communion services, will use hand sanitizer and be masked during the consecration and distribution of the elements. Wafers only, no wine, will be distributed using tongs. The celebrant and recipients will all sanitize prior to communion. If you were unable to register or there was an error during your registration please email Shana at [email protected].