Church Regathering: Phase 1

As most of you already know, the Commonwealth has lifted almost all COVID restrictions for gatherings that were instituted during the state of emergency. In light of these changes and the most recent recommendations of the CDC, FCCW is prepared to move forward with the first phase of returning to in-person worship. This is what Phase 1 of the Regathering will look like.

1.  Summertime outdoor worship:  Beginning June 6, 2021, and continuing through Labor Day Sunday (September 5, 2021) in-person worship services will be held outdoors on the grassy area between the side parking lot and the old Town Hall, at 9:30 Sunday mornings. Worshipers are asked to bring their own lawn or beach chairs, or blankets. Certain worship rites and practices (Communion, passing the offering plate, Passing the Peace, passing of the microphone for announcements and prayer requests) may be adapted to minimize the threat (actual or perceived) of infection transference. Prayer requests may be emailed to me ahead of time for inclusion in the worship bulletin at [email protected].
2. Social Distancing: Markers will be placed on the ground as a guide for chair placements. Members of a single household need not distance from each other.
3.  Masking: Mask wearing will not be required, but is strongly encouraged, even for those who are fully vaccinated. 
4.  Inclement Weather: In the event of inclement weather, worship will be conducted inside the sanctuary with open windows and window fans for air circulation and comfort. If possible, an inclement weather announcement will be sent out on the FCCW  Facebook page and a church-wide email.
5.  Our Guiding Principle: Jesus’ Great Commandment to “love one another as I have loved you” should be our guide during our regathering. Worshipers will not be asked whether they are vaccinated. The rights of every individual to make that decision for themselves will be respected and not be used to exclude them. However, unvaccinated or unmasked worshipers are asked to respect the concerns of others and demonstrate sensitivity to the vulnerable who may be at higher risk of becoming infected, by social distancing.
6.  On-Line Worship: There may be people in our church family that would like to wait a while before returning to in-person worship. For that reason, an online option will remain active. In fact, it will be a permanent alternative for those who are homebound or at a distance. The live services will be recorded and posted on YouTube on Sunday afternoons.
7.  Phase 2: The complete return to in-person, indoor worship will take commence on Sunday, September 12. Those services will also be recorded and made available online.
 
 Any of these plans are subject to adaptation depending on changing circumstances.  
 
Pastor Ray