New Guide Recommends Heavy Restrictions on Reopening Churches by RELIGION NEWS SERVICE for Charisma News
An ecumenical group of clergy, scientists and other experts has released a guide to help congregations consider best practices for reopening for worship.
Among their suggestions:
—Refrain from congregational singing. Clap or stomp instead.
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—Preachers, shorten your sermon.
—Congregants, mouth your response during Communion instead of speaking.
—Pass the peace to other worshippers with a gentle nod or a reverent bow, but no physical contact.
The 36-page document notes that church leaders will make different decisions depending on the recommendations of denominational and health officials.
“Christians will refrain from judging the witness of others as long as others are not endangering the common good,” it states.
“Resuming Care-filled Worship and Sacramental Life During a Pandemic” includes links to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and to guidelines issued by regional denominational groups as they respond to the CDC’s recommendations.
The guide urges worshippers not to dwell on limitations during the pandemic. Instead, it suggests that they focus on creative approaches to worship.
“As states ‘re-open,’ how will we resume worship gatherings in person while the pandemic is still with us?” the document asks in its introduction. “A care-filled response to that challenge is much more than unlocking the church doors and inviting all to come, sit, sing and greet one another as had been our custom. We know the dangers posed and the risks taken if we were to do that. We care enough not to let that happen.”
The document first recommends each congregation create a “COVID-19 Task Force” to oversee the preparations and develop and implement policies that may be adopted by church leadership.
The guide notes “the risk of producing aerosols (droplets of water suspended in air) that can spread the coronavirus” and, thus, recommends that preachers wear a face covering during sermons. It also says congregations should consider using standard gestures or American Sign Language to respond silently during liturgies.
