When will We Regather for worship in person?

St. Georges will begin regathering on Sunday, September 6 with services at 8:00 and 10:00.

How many participants may attend each service?

We can have 25% of our sanctuary’s capacity as long as there is safe distancing, or up to 50 people per service.  The exact number per week depends on the makeup of households who attend on any given Sunday, as there will be at least 6 feet between members of different households.

What SHould I do before attending my first service In-Person?

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• You must read and sign a Regathering Covenant (shown left) from the Episcopal Diocese of Washington which lists safe behaviors for participating, and return the signed covenant before you return.  Covenants may be returned electronically or brought to in person worship.
• You must preregister so we can track our numbers.

What can I expect when I arrive at church?

• You can expect to check in with the Vestry Person on Duty for tracing purposes; we encourage you to arrive a few minutes early to help the check in process go smoothly.
• You can expect to be seated by an usher to ensure safe distancing in worship.

What parts of the building will be open?

• The narthex (entryway/hallway) is open for walking through upon arrival and departure, but not for sitting in or gathering in.
• The sanctuary.
• Use of the restrooms is only in case of an emergency.
• All other rooms, including the office, cry room, kitchen, Miller Hall, and all of the downstairs rooms are closed.

How will worship be different than it did before COVID?

• Everyone must wear a mask and maintain at least 6 feet of space between households.
• The ushers will meet you at the door and seat you.
• There will be a onetime use service bulletin which you will place in recycle bins as you leave; no books will be in use.
• There will be no congregational or live choir singing. There will be a choir soloist present at the 10:00 service.
• Offering baskets will not be passed; they will be positioned by the two open doors to the narthex for you to leave your offering. Electronic giving is encouraged.
• There is no gathering for hospitality or eating and drinking in the building at this time.

• Holy Communion will be offered in a safe way as prescribed by our bishop. Communion practices will be reviewed with you before each service begins or during the announcements.
• You will be guided in a predetermined way by the ushers as you present yourself for and leave after Communion.
• At the end of the service the ushers will guide you out of the building.
• You may not linger inside the building to socialize per diocesan regulations.

What is being done to keep me safe?

• The safety of staff and parishioners is a priority and everyone’s responsibility.
• Everyone must wear a mask.  If you do not have one, one will be provided.
• The cleaners will wipe down all surfaces which may have been touched before and after each service.
• Every other row of chairs has been removed in the sanctuary and remaining chairs have been spaced for social distancing. Ushers will seat participants with at least three chairs between households.
• All hymnals and prayer books have been removed.
• Arrows have been placed on the floor to indicate safe flow of traffic.

• Signs and other markers have been placed to mark off areas/rooms that are closed and locked.
• Hand sanitizer is widely available.
• The bread tray with pre-consecrated Communion wafers has a lid.  Communion cups are prefilled and on a tray with a lid.
• There is sanitizer in each bathroom and signs asking each person to spray and wipe down any surfaced touched. Bathrooms are only for emergency use.
• The building is cleaned regularly according to CDC and state guidelines.

What are my options for worship if I decide not to attend in person?

• The 10:00 service will be live streamed and available via Zoom, where there will be a host to offer hospitality and welcome.
• There are also services of Evening Prayer on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 pm and Compline on Wednesdays at 8 pm, all available via Zoom.
  
• Links to all services are on the calendar page of St. George’s website.

Will there still be online hospitality?

• Yes! There will be hospitality hour via Zoom that will begin at 11:30 am on Sunday mornings, though we may need to adjust the start time as we live into this new schedule. The link can be found on the calendar page of St. George’s website.

Are there any options for outside services?

• Yes. On the second Sunday of the month an outdoor service will be held at 5 pm in St. George’s church yard/cemetery.  You must preregister for those services, and bring a chair to sit in.
• The outdoor services will also have Communion.