Dear friends and members of Emmanuel Church,
It is a humid morning on God’s hill! We are slowly ‘rolling out’ a way to open for worship as we move into Pennsylvania’s Green Phase. Green does not mean that all the risk has ended; but it does mean that we can begin to think and talk about how to move forward most productively.
First, if you are uncomfortable about coming back to worship, if you are sick or have immune system issues, we understand. Please stay home and do not feel obligated. We will continue to stream worship on the church’s facebook page and periodically update to YouTube and to the Church’s Website.
Second, we will still be following social distancing practices and masks. For this Sunday, June 7, we will still have every other pew blocked off. Hopefully, those will come off next week.
We will no longer limit numbers in the sanctuary. We should be well within occupancy guidelines as we open up.
Until we can get a clearer direction on singing, that activity will still be limited. I know that this may be the hardest part for many people but it is also the activity that has the most risk in it.
Please be patient with each other, with Consistory, and with our church staff. Everyone is trying to do the best we can. We realize that the past few months have been stressful and that we are all a little bit off our “A-game” right now. However, we must also remember that everyone has different ideas of their risk level and our primary concerns are minimizing risk and promoting health.
Stay tuned to our website and to your emails and we will update you as things change.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Joseph
Emmanuel Reformed Church of the United Church of Christ 