What Might It Look Like?
Dreaming of the day when we can gather together again as a congregation
May 4, 2020 - Neal Patel
By now, we are all beginning to grow weary of the restrictions brought on by this COVID-19 pandemic. We are hungry to get back to work and to visit with friends and extended family. More than all these things, I long to see the church gather together again for corporate worship. God calls us to gather together as a church congregation for the vital ministry of mutual encouragement. "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25).
On the other hand, God's Word also calls us to submit to the governing authorities. "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities." (Romans 13:1)
How we need wisdom to navigate these competing duties. Additionally, the United States Constitution upholds our God-given rights to the free exercise of religion and to peaceably assemble. Yet, for a season, we have not been gathering together in submission to the emergency order issued by the State of Vermont to control the spread of COVID-19. But we look in hope to the day when the emergency order will be lifted so that our gatherings may lawfully resume.
We are already making plans for that day. These plans are all in flux as the situation continues to change rapidly, but I thought I would give you a little peek under the hood to imagine what the first phase of our church gatherings might look like. You can see a video tour of our current plans here.
As you can see in the video, we are ready to resume gatherings in a socially distant manner when we are allowed to do so. Here are some details:
- Many of the chairs have been removed from the sanctuary - and we can now accommodate up to 118 people in our worship service as the state of Vermont may allow. Families or individuals will be asked to select a row of chairs exactly the same as the size of their attending household. Each “row” is spaced to maintain social distancing.
- You will see some single chairs. I am so sorry about how this may feel for those who must attend church alone. We wish we could all sit together with one another, but for the time being, we need to seat households separately to minimize exposure risk.
- Entry doors and bathroom doors will be left propped open so that no door handles need to be touched.
- We will all enter through the single door nearest the fellowship hall, and proceed toward the sanctuary following tape marks on the floor to maintain social distances during entry.
- Everyone will be asked to sanitize their hands as they enter, and also as they exit to minimize the potential for viral transmission.
- We will be asking congregants to bring their own masks (unless we can find a supply of them). Those who wish to sing during the worship service will be asked to wear a mask during singing to reduce the projection of respiratory droplets.
- We will likely need to offer up to 2 service times in order to accommodate those who wish to attend, and so we will ask families to sign up ahead of time so that we can evenly space our limited seating capacity.
- Some form of live stream of our services will continue for a transition period so that those who are at higher risk may continue to participate.
- Unfortunately, it is not likely that we will be able to offer childcare or any other age-segregated ministries to children until Vermont schools and daycare operations resume operations. However, it will be a joy to have the little ones together with the rest of the congregation in the worship service.
I have written a letter to the governor on our behalf, letting him know that we are thankful for his efforts to keep Vermonters safe during this time, and to assure him of our prayers that God will give him wisdom as he weighs the competing concerns of public health, economic welfare, and individual liberty. I have asked him to allow us to resume church gatherings as soon as possible.
Let us pray that the emergency order will be lifted soon. In the meantime, let us draw near to Jesus Christ as individuals and as families, and seek to encourage one another through the avenues that are currently available.
If you have any questions or concerns, or if the elders and staff can serve you in any way during this challenging season, please feel free to be in touch with me personally.
Warmly in Christ,
Neal
Neal Patel
Senior Pastor
Valley Bible Church
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