The vestry has agreed to implement these changes for us for our worship. However please note: WEALL ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS DURING OUR WORSHIP and only the preacher and readers are permitted to remove them for those ministries.
Singing: The choir is invited to return and will be seated in their regular seats, positioned 3 ft apart. The riser will be adjusted to angle it more towards the altar and further from the congregation.
The congregation will be invited to sing all the hymns and service music.
HolyEucharist (Holy Communion): You will be able to receive the consecrated wine in addition to the consecrated bread. Following the Bishop’s instructions Margaret will offer the consecrated wine in this manner: She will sanitize her hands very well first and when she has consecrated the bread and wine she will give an acolyte the chalice to hold. The acolyte will then stand by Margaret. As each of you comes forward to receive she will ask you if you wish to have the bread dipped into the wine (what is called intinction.) If you agree she will intinct the bread for you and place it in your palm. If you do not wish to have it dipped in the wine you can receive the bread alone just as you have been doing during this COVID time. At present only wine is to be consecrated; those of you who were used to receiving consecrated juice should decline to have the bread dipped in wine.
Margaret is thrilled to be able to offer this opportunity for some of you to now receive Holy Eucharist in both kinds. If you wish to discuss the changes please speak with her.
For the 8 am congregation: As no one sings at this service, we will continue the possibility of removing masks providing everyone wishes it and there are no visitors. Each worshiper at 8am should bring a mask to wear for times when a visitor arrives for worship.
Because we want to ensure everyone’s safety, please follow these NJ &/OR Diocesan guidelines:
Come with a mask and wear it at all times
Due to the risk assessment for our area the required wearing of masks indoors by all persons, regardless of vaccination status, is required.
The Episcopal Church’s policy is not to question anyone as to whether or not they have been vaccinated at least two weeks previously. Young children (we welcome families) cannot be vaccinated. Thus in order to protect everyone and to avoid questioning anyone we ask all of us to wear masks while here.