Dear Fellow Plymouth Members:
We hope that you and your families are doing as well as possible under the circumstances caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. The Covid-19 virus has disrupted every aspect of life as we had known it.
With that in mind, a month ago Plymouth formed a committee to study when and how we might be able to reopen our sanctuary for services and what changes would have to be implemented in order to make the services as safe as possible once they resume. The committee has been studying government and other guidelines on the subject as well as looking at what other churches and institutions have been doing regarding this.
There is no easy answer to these pressing concerns, and we are considering several approaches. However, under all approaches, there are certain basic changes that will have to be made and we are writing to share our current thinking about what the changes would be when we reopen.
In order to comply with recommended guidelines and to minimize the risk to those who would like to attend in-person services when we do reopen, here are some of the basic changes we are considering making to our normal services:
1. Everyone will be told that if they are sick, feel like they might be sick, or have been in the presence of anyone who has been sick, they should not come to church. This will require everyone to be vigilant and err on the side of caution. We do not want people coming to church who might expose others to any illness, especially in these times.
2. Everyone entering the sanctuary will be required to wear a mask and to keep the mask on throughout their time in the church. We will have people stationed at the entrance making sure that this rule is complied with.
3. To control traffic into the sanctuary, there will likely be one entrance (although multiple exits). There will be hand sanitizer on tables at the entrance and everyone will be asked to use that before taking a seat.
4. We will block off every other pew so that adequate spacing can take place. The pews that will be closed will be clearly marked. This will mean that our capacity in the sanctuary will be limited – and therefore may require some kind of RSVP system.
5. Seating in the open pews will require 6’ of spacing between congregants unless you are sitting with members of your immediate family. We will have ushers monitoring this to make sure that the required social distancing is being complied with.
6. We will not have bibles or hymnals in the pews. Scripture readings and any hymns that we sing will be printed in the Order of Worship (which we will ask you to throw away in a trash can as you leave the church). There will be no choir, but there will be soloists.
7. Additionally, to minimize passing things, there will be no prayer cards, Friendship Registers, or passing of the offering plate. There will be a basket at the exits to place your gifts and offerings.
8. Exiting will primarily be through the side doors and at the direction of ushers. We will open the side doors and you will be asked to exit from your row and to maintain 6’ of separation from others outside your family as you exit.
9. Children under the age of _____ years old will not yet be permitted to attend.
10. During the Children’s Moment, children who are permitted to attend will remain with their parents.
11. There will be no communion.
12. We will not have our usual coffee hour in the garden after the service.
13. Everyone will be asked to exit the church once the service is over, and once outside, to only mingle with one another if adhering to the 6’ of required separation.
14. There will not be any Sunday school.
15. There will not be childcare available.