Phase three
Dear Members and Friends of First Congregational Church in Hanson –
Thank you all for your faithfulness and patience during these past weeks and months. I have missed seeing you and being with you! We are glad that the Governor’s plan for re-opening Massachusetts gives permission for places of worship to re-open, under particular guidelines. The purpose of this letter is to outline our plan for re-opening our worship services to the public.
We are seeking to comply with the MA COVID-19 Checklist that has been provided. The particular document can be found at: https://www.mass.gov/doc/places-of-worship-checklist/download.
When
We are now holding services outside, weather permitting, every Sunday at 10am. If it is too hot, too wet, too cold, we will be indoors following distancing and masking protocols. Because we are required to keep a count of how many are in the building, only the center outside sanctuary door will be available for entry. A hand sanitizer station will be located near the front door. As you enter the narthex/lobby, you will be asked to observe the 6ft. Social distancing guideline. Because no precautions are perfect, we will record the names of everyone present, so that in case a positive case is discovered, contact tracing may be implemented.
How will we proceed?
An usher will be present to escort you to your seat in the sanctuary. We are grateful to our church fathers, who had our sanctuary built with box pews! Doors will be closed to pews that are not available. Those who live together may sit within a box pew. The Nursery and Sunday School will not be available at present: more information will come when these ministries can be re-introduced.
Please wear a mask – even during singing! – unless a medical condition makes it unwise for you to do so. No documentation of such condition is required. For the purpose of clarity, and to accommodate those whose comprehension is aided by lip-reading, those standing in the front, separated by 10 feet from anyone else, will remove their masks for the purpose of addressing the congregation or leading the singing. If anyone has decided they will not wear a mask without medical reason, please know that admitting you to the service puts the entire church at risk of being closed by the local Board of Health. In the case of such refusal, the mask-less person will be asked to leave. We will have a supply of masks available for any who forget theirs.
Once the seating in the sanctuary is filled, as determined by ushers, additional attendees will be invited to the Fellowship Hall, where the service can be viewed on the big screen video monitor.
To diminish contamination risks, we will not be shaking hands or “passing the plate” during offering times. A basket will be placed at the back of each aisle in which you may place your offering at your convenience.
When the service is over, ushers will dismiss parishioners one row of pews at a time. If you wish to stay where you are and speak with someone, simply tell the usher you will wait, and observe social distancing when you do leave. Sadly, we cannot offer coffee hour at this time. The rest rooms will be available for use. An enhanced cleaning protocol is in place.
The sanctuary windows will be open to encourage ventilation and outdoor worship services are being encouraged.
The church is only partially open. Therefore, rent-paying organizations are not yet allowed in.
We are re-opening to Bible studies and Christian Education activities at a gradual pace. We have guidelines for the two Saturday Morning studies: The Men’s Study will meet in the Dining Hall and use the rear door, & downstairs rest room. The Thessalonians class will meet in the Fellowship Hall and use the handicap access doors & the main floor rest rooms.
Please know that we understand if you are not comfortable attending services at this time. Indeed, if you are of high risk status, you are encouraged to stay home. Our services will continue to be live-streamed on FaceBook, and available on YouTube and Whitman-Hanson Cable channel 9. Audio CD’s of the service are also available by contacting the church office.
Thank you for your continued faithfulness. If I or any other member of our staff or leadership can be of assistance, please call (781-293-7997) or email us (office@fcchanson.org)
May God bless you!
(Rev. Dr.) Peter Smith, Sr. Pastor