Update on Facemasks in Church

Beloved in Christ: 

The CDC has announced that fully vaccinated persons are no longer required to wear facemasks indoors. Many stores and businesses are no longer requiring facemasks to be worn by employees or customers. But what will our church do? What will it take for everyone to feel safe and comfortable coming to worship and participating in in-person activities?

 

It’s impossible to know exactly who has received a vaccine versus who has not. We do know that children under 12 are not yet receiving vaccinations. We also know that there are persons in our community whose immune systems are compromised by a pre-existing health condition. Some may not be vaccinated at all.  On the other hand, we are heading into the summer season, and our un-air-conditioned building may be quite warm. Wearing a mask may be tremendously uncomfortable.

 

Your church council met on May 23 to discuss these very questions. For the time being, we strongly encourage (but do not require) all persons to bring a facemask to church and wear it when you are in conversation with other church members. When you are seated in your pew, you may remove it. If you are meeting with a group of persons and there is mutual agreement to remove the masks, you are welcome to do so.

 

If you see someone wearing a mask, please show them the same courtesy by wearing a facemask when speaking to that person. They may be unvaccinated, immunocompromised, or not yet comfortable being in public without a mask. Though the mask may be inconvenient, it may also help others feel safer coming to church. Our organist Becky, currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments, asks everyone to please wear a mask when speaking to her. 

 

Much work is yet to be done, dear church, to restore and rebuild our church family after fifteen months apart. It is only by talking and listening to each other that we will know what is necessary to create a safe environment for worship, fellowship, and service.

 

I welcome your feedback on how we can live faithfully in these changing times, and I thank you your patience and perseverance in this challenging season. 

 

With you in Christ,

+Pastor Jim