COVID-19 PANDEMIC UPDATE
JULY 28, 2020
St. Luke the Evangelist Antiochian Orthodox Church
Bainbridge, OH
The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:26)
SUMMARY POINTS:
- All in-person activities (meetings, social gatherings, classes, etc.) are suspended until further notice as per the directive issued by His Eminence Metropolitan JOSEPH on March 17, 2020. The only modification of this directive to date has been allowing limited in-person attendance by parishioners at divine services.
- At the direction and blessing of His Grace Bishop ANTHONY, limited in-person attendance at Sunday Divine Liturgy is possble for parishioners only by advance sign-up. We remain unopened to the general public and visitors.
June 9, 2020 Letter to the Parish - Limited Reopening of the Parish this Weekend
Dear Members of St. Luke the Evangelist,
The blessings of the Lord.
As I have shared in announcements over the past few weeks, myself and the Parish Council, at the direction of His Grace Bishop ANTHONY, have been working to prepare policy & procedures for re-opening the parish for limited attendance/participation by the faithful at Sunday Divine Liturgy.
We submitted our policy/procedures to His Grace last Friday and received his blessing to move ahead with limited reopening starting this Sunday (6/14/20).
I've included the entirely of our policy/procedures after my letter below. A few of the main points to highlight:
- We are only starting with Sunday Liturgy with limited attendance of 33 people total by advanced online registration. Families may attend and sit together, but will have to observe social distancing parameters with respect to other people while in the church building. We will not be open to the general public or visitors. Information on how to register online will be posted later this week.
- Those who are in at-risk groups for COVID-19 (65 or older, immunocompromised, have asthma, have diabetes, have high blood pressure, are overweight, etc.) are strongly encouraged to stay home and participate via the livestream. I can schedule individual communion with you during the week. Also, if you are sick and/or have been in contact with someone who has been sick, you are asked to stay home.
- All families are asked to check temperatures before coming for Sunday Liturgy. Family members with a temperature of 99º F or higher are asked to stay at home.
- The process of entering the church, communion, and leaving the church will be facilitated by two ushers.
- To begin, the service will be served by myself and one chanter only. There will be no altar servers to begin. There will be no choir or congregational singing.
If you have any questions, please contact me. I know there are more details to be worked out, but I wanted to make sure you had the latest information affecting our services and building access as soon as possible.
As we begin this reopening process, this will all be subject to modification based on additional direction from the Diocese/Archdiocese and our government (local, state, federal).
In Christ,
Fr. Matthew
As we begin this reopening process, this will all be subject to modification based on additional direction from the Diocese/Archdiocese and our government (local, state, federal).
In Christ,
Fr. Matthew
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Before Every Service
- Cleaning service disinfects nave, bathrooms, door handles and all other surfaces.
- Doors and windows should be opened during and after services, if possible, to allow fresh air into the building.
Procedures for Every Service
- An usher will be stationed at the entrance to the church and doors leading into the church nave at least fifteen minutes before the start of services. See attached sheet for usher instructions.
- If a parishioner reports that temperature was not taken at home, another usher will do a temperature check with a touchless thermometer. Those who have a temperature of 99.0° F or above will be asked politely to go home.
- Parishioners will be reminded to remain at least six feet away (four chairs) from other households, with no more than two households in the same row.
- Doors will remain propped open. Outside door will be propped open before and after services.
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