In-person worship will resume at Trinity on Sunday, June 14.
In-person worship will resume at Trinity on Sunday, June 14. However, we strongly recommend that those who are in at-risk groups (immune compromised, elderly, etc.) not attend but continue to engage with the church remotely. When worship resumes, some things will be different. Continue reading for how worship at Trinity will look different as we come back together.
- Every other pew will be closed and social distancing should be followed. Please check out https://www.sfcdcp.org/communicable-disease/healthy-habits/how-to-put-on-and-remove-a-face-mask/ for how to properly and effectively wear a mask. Wearing a mask or gloves improperly is not only ineffective but can even create a false sense of security.
- In our gospels, Jesus tells us that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mt. 19:19; Mt. 22:39; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27) and to even be willing to lay down our lives for one another (see John 15:12-14). The apostle Paul writes: “Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4) and that, in doing so, we model the behaviors and mindset of Christ.
As time passes, research reveals that the two most effective actions in preventing the spread of COVID are social distancing and wearing a mask. Research also continues to reveal that many people are asymptomatic carriers of the infection and that, while it may not cause illness in them, it could prove fatal if they unknowingly pass it to someone with a weakened immune system or underlying medical condition.
Therefore, beginning Sunday, June 28, Trinity will require masks for all who attend Sunday morning worship. Masks will be available at the door if you need one. While we recognize that masks are uncomfortable and warm, they are a small inconvenience to protect the health and lives of one another. If you are unwilling to wear a mask, keep in mind that the morning sermon, the music, and testimonies are all available via the church website. Likewise, you are welcome to participate in the 9:30 Sunday morning Zoom which includes a scripture, brief reflection, and a time of prayer and fellowship. If you do not have internet capability, we are also happy to send a sermon to you via postal mail. Simply contact the church office.
- In our gospels, Jesus tells us that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mt. 19:19; Mt. 22:39; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27) and to even be willing to lay down our lives for one another (see John 15:12-14). The apostle Paul writes: “Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4) and that, in doing so, we model the behaviors and mindset of Christ.
- Some parts of worship will be different. When worship resumes, some things will be different. We will not have congregational singing, only special music. Coffee service, nursery, children’s worship, and Sunday School will not immediately resume. We will not pass the offering plate. There will not be bulletins. Plates will be at the back and front of the sanctuary for you to deposit your offering. Online giving is recommended for those who are able to contribute in this way. If you can manage stairs, please consider sitting in the balcony as this will allow for better social distancing on the main level of the sanctuary.
- The weekly sermon and music will continue to be available on the website. Since we request the elderly and immune-compromised not attend in-person worship, we will continue to provide the weekly sermon and music via the website. Also, the current 10 a.m. Sunday morning Zoom group will be bumped to 9:30 a.m. in order to maintain the opportunity to connect digitally with one another each Sunday morning.
- The office will reopen on Monday, June 8 with new office hours. However, until the COVID situation is under better control, the office hours will be limited to Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Please continue to do as much “business” as possible with the church by phone and digitally to protect the health of our staff. Remember that Pastor Tracey and Melissa are still working even when they do so from their homes.
- Keep an eye out for updates. Finally, although we intend to reopen June 14 and hope to remain open, COVID is an unpredictable virus and many scientists and medical professionals suspect a significant surge in the fall. Therefore, continue to check the church website and phone the church office to confirm in-person worship. If cases rise sharply, worship will be suspended again.
