Adding Outdoor Worship
It’s been several months since we’ve worshipped in-person at Hopewell Presbyterian Church, and we can’t wait to be all together physically again for Sunday services. As we think about what it is that God is calling us to do, the leadership of the church (staff & Session) continue to explore new opportunities as we remain on this challenging journey together.
At every step of the way, the Session has worked hard to make decisions that will allow us to follow Jesus’ commands as we find them in Mark 12:30-31, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ and... ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’“ This means continuing to care for the health of our community, the health of one another, and the health of our individual selves.
Virtual Gathering: With this in mind, we are working hard to provide a quality virtual space for all worshipers. And we are committed to doing so for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Each week, we will continue to share a link to this gathering through our website at hopewellpres.org/worship and in the emails of those who have signed up to receive our worship emails. (Additionally, the sermon will be posted after the gathering.)
Outdoor Gathering: On top of that, for the next two Sundays (August 9 & 16) we are going to test out launching hybrid worship—which means having BOTH our regular virtual gathering and an outdoor in-person gathering. (At the same time that we have been preparing the sanctuary, we have also been acquiring equipment that will help us in any space—indoor or outdoor.) The following is a little bit more information about these outdoor gatherings, including a covenant of conduct for those who choose to attend.
Where: To more comfortably accommodate people (and to provide for live music!), Charlie Ashton, our Minister of Music, has offered to host this in his side yard. Charlie & Demi write, “We are excited to have HPC worship in our side lawn this Sunday! Thank you in advance for following the guidelines listed below that have been developed by our Staff and Session.”
Ashton Side Yard
123 W. Broad Street
Hopewell, NJ 08525
When: August 8 & 16, 2020 (depending on the weather) at 10:30AM. The rain plan will be to gather virtually as we have in previous weeks. Should this be the case, you will be notified at 8:30 AM, Sunday morning in the worship email. (So, please stay in the habit of checking that email!)
How: The team which has been planning for these services has developed the following Covenant for Conduct & Communication at Outdoor Services. This provides a list of what we hope are clear and reasonable expectations and practices. They are designed to maintain the safest possible environment while providing the opportunity for an in-person gathering as a part of our worship.
All those attending outdoor worship undertake:
To bring and wear a face mask at all times. For those who have forgotten, masks will be available.
To bring your own chairs or blankets (and umbrellas, bug spray, water, and sunscreen if desired).
To complete a morning self check (see below) and only attend outdoor worship if you are feeling well, have not been sick in the last 14 days, do not have underlying medical conditions that put you at greater risk from potential exposure to the virus, or are not in quarantine as a result of returning from a state on the New Jersey Travel Advisory list. Older adults remain at increased risk.
Self Check Questions:
Q. Am I (or anyone in my household) feeling sick? A little unwell? Or even a little uneasy?
A. If you respond to any of these with “yes” or “maybe,” we invite you to gather using ZOOM.
Q. In the past two weeks (14 days) have I had: a fever? any respiratory or flu-like illness? any GI symptoms (nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea)? any loss of tase or smell? tested positive or had contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19?
A. If you respond to any of these with “yes” or “maybe,” we invite you to gather using ZOOM.
To park along W. Broad Street, to respect any parking spaces set aside for those with mobility issues, and to arrive early enough to park, walk up, and be ushered to your “spot” on the lawn before 10:30AM.
To use the single clearly indicated entry and exit point and to provide name and contact information to the greeter upon entry.
To observe six-foot physical distancing at all times.
To follow the directions of greeters/ushers and worship leaders and to stay on the driveway or side lawn (not crossing over to the part of the property by the house.
To sit at the locations marked with flags. The greeter will direct the worshiper to meet an usher who will then escort the worshiper to their location, which will be denoted by a flag for appropriate physical distancing.
To seek assistance and follow the guidance from greeters/ushers when needed (e.g. if wishing to change location, leave the service etc.)
To use the bathrooms at the church (five minutes’ walk). (You will see a Porta-Potty on the property, but it is reserved for the current quarantine of members of the Ashton family.)
When the service is concluded, to follow the directions of the ushers and maintain physical distancing.
To take out everything brought in.
To be patient with us as we try something new!
What: In an effort to accommodate the physical needs of as many people as possible, the outdoor portion worship services for the next two weeks will last between 30-40 minutes and will include musical performances, Bible reading, preaching, and prayers. (The virtual gathering will happen at the same time and include some additional opportunities for reflection.)
