Report to the Membership 0n Church Re-opening from The Re-launch Task Force – 11/3/2020
As you know the Re-Launch Committee circulated a survey regarding Church re-opening. A majority of 16 responses said they were somewhat or very unlikely to feel safe enough to return to church now (October).
A majority of 15 responses also said they were somewhat or very unlikely to feel safe enough to attend in-person worship services around the time of Christmas.
All of 14 responses felt they would be willing to attend an in-person service around Easter.
A majority of 15 responses said we have been moving at an appropriate speed towards re-opening the Church. Attached at the end of this report are a few of our sample responses.
Based on these responses and the recommendations of New York State and the Upper New York Methodist Conference, we do not think we should start in-person worship at this time. As regards Easter, we think it is both too early and unnecessary to make a decision now; it should be reviewed based on conditions in February and March 2021.
The Re-Launch Committee is walking a fine line between providing what everyone wants (in Church services, with music and singing) and a safe environment.
Some Comments from Members
“Because of incubation timing, we are never quite sure if the person we are interacting with has been exposed. My responses are because of the unknowns I am certainly more comfortable when we both (all) are masked and maintaining safe distances. Yet even that calculation is not certain.”
“We are very concerned about infecting a family member. Zoom services offer a safe way to worship and have Christian fellowship. Music is also possible with Zoom. We are also concerned about the considerable expense to heat the church for short services. Hopefully circumstances will change by Easter and we can all celebrate as a church family.”
“I’m seeing on the news that Covid cases have grown 3X a lot in some areas after group meetings have occurred. It’s not over and winter may bring on more. It’s all unknown and I don’t think we should move too fast.”
“ I have mixed feelings. I really want and need to be back in church with in person worship. However, I wouldn’t want anyone to be exposed because of it.”