Dear Brothers and Sisters,
St. Stephen’s intends to resume public worship on Sunday mornings on the Feast of Pentecost, May 31, 2020. Our plan to re-open includes precautions recommended by the CDC and Texas public health authorities to keep attendees healthy and safe. There will be two services: One at 8:30am and one at 10:30am. The services will be identical in form and music.
Those who are at a high-risk of infection or are experiencing any symptoms are urged to continue worshipping at home. That said, here is our plan to make attending public worship as safe as possible:
SANITIZING AND SOCIAL DISTANCING
- The church building will be thoroughly cleaned on Saturdays and high-contact surfaces will be thoroughly sanitized and disinfected in between services.
- Every other row of chairs will be removed and parishioners are asked to keep a distance of at least two chairs from each other, unless they are members of the same household.
- Parishioners are asked to refrain from gathering in the kitchen and hallways or lingering in the church building before or after worship. We will maintain the standard 6-feet social distancing practice.
- Parishioners are expected to wear a mask inside the building.
- Parishioners are asked to sanitize their hands upon entering and leaving the building (sanitizer will be provided), and to thoroughly wash their hands after using the restroom, sneezing or coughing, etc.
WORSHIP PRACTICES
- The BCPs and Hymnals will be removed. The entire text of the service and hymns will be in the bulletin.
- We will refrain from physical contact (handshakes and hugs) during the Peace.
- The offering plate will not be passed. Offerings may be placed in a basket in the back of the church or sent by mail.
- We will continue to receive Communion in the form of bread only.
- We will not receive Communion in large groups at the altar rail. Instead, Communion will be distributed at a station in front of the altar. Individuals and households will come forward to receive one by one. The ushers will facilitate this movement.
- The congregation will be dismissed by rows to maintain social distancing after the service.
OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES
- The 8:30am service will be live-streamed and archived for later viewing. Those who do not wish to attend in person yet can still participate virtually.
- Home Communion visits are available for those who will be continuing to worship from home.
- Bible Studies and meetings of parish groups will continue online for the time being. Small outdoor gatherings are a possibility and will be discussed on a caseby-case basis.
- This arrangement is temporary. The Vestry and I will continue to monitor the situation and be guided by information coming from public health authorities and direction from the Bishop.
Our desire is to serve both those who are ready to come back to church and those who feel it is too soon to return. We continue to pray for protection and deliverance from this pandemic, for leaders at every level of government, for front-line workers caring for the sick and their families, and for those adversely affected by the consequences of this illness.
May the day come soon when we can all join our voices in praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God in one place, without fear or anxiety. God bless you and yours during this season of the Risen King Jesus.
In Christ,
Fr. Ron Drummond, Rector
Coby White, Sr. Warden
Tom Bransford, Jr. Warden
Matt Kuzniewski
Brad Moore
Stephanie Orges
Chrissy Trott