Golden Hill UMC Weekly Sunday Worship Service

After a year of worshipping online, some congregations are beginning to resume in-person services. Golden Hill has plans to reopen on May 16, 2021!

Please follow this easy to understand guide to help you know what to expect when attending in-person worship service. These limitations will be modified as the virus stabilizes and the restrictions are lifted.

Registration: Pre-registration will be required. You can register here or call the church office at 203-336-0152 no later than 12:00 PM on Thursdays to register to attend a worship service. This practice helps us limit the number of attendees to facilitate social distancing, and gives us your information should there be a need for contact tracing.

The doors will be opened at 10:15 AM; Seating will be on a first come first served basis. The names on the registration list will determine admission. There will be no further admissions when the predetermined capacity is reached.

Entering the Building: Certain doors will be designated as entrances and exits. Signs will be posted that tell you which doors to use when you enter and exit the building.

Parishioners/visitors will enter the building using the center red doors on Golden Hill Street. The ramp entrance/exit will be reserved for those who cannot use the steps.

If parked in the Elm Street lot, do not use the kitchen or Elm Street doors to enter. Please walk around and use the Golden Hill Street entrance as required. Adherence to this guidance will help us confine the cleaning needs to a small area.

Follow the 6-foot social distancing signs as you enter.

You must wear a mask whether or not you have received the COVID vaccine. A mask will be offered if you are not wearing one; if you refuse to wear a mask you will be asked to leave .

Upon entrance into the Narthex, greeters and parish/nurses will do health screenings using a no contact thermometer to check your temperature; absolutely no hugging or hand shaking is permitted (no physical contact).

If you have a temperature and/or any suspicious signs of coughing or illness, you will be asked to contact your healthcare provider, and to exit the building.

Friendly greeters and ushers will sign you in electronically, or take your contact information.

Use the center double door to enter the sanctuary.

Worshippers will be required to use the hand sanitizer provided in the Narthex before entering the sanctuary.

Worship Service: To maintain safe social distancing, you may not be able to sit in your regular spot. Follow the seating plan and directions of the ushers to help us utilize the worship space in a safe effective way.

It will be wonderful to see each other again in person, but please refrain from greeting fellow worshippers with hugs or handshakes. A simple nod or wave of the hand will do.

Every other pew will be roped off, look for the masking tape that will indicate places to sit.

Families from the same household may sit together as a family unit.

You will be required to wear a mask during and after the service.

The Pastor and worship leaders will remain in the chancel/platform area at least 12 feet distance from the congregation.

Bulletins will not be used. Bibles and attendance pads will not be in the pews.

There will be instrumental music, but no choir/congregational singing or responsive reading, humming will be allowed.

Offerings and tithes will not be collected by the ushers; there will be a designated area for you to place your offering envelopes as you enter or exit worship.

For Holy Communion we will use disposable individual packets of grape juice and wafer

Exterior doors and windows will be propped open for ventilation.

Restrooms: Worshippers will be required to use the restrooms in the narthex. If you choose to use the restroom during worship, disinfectant wipes will be available for you to clean the area before and after use.

Exiting Worship: There will be no fellowship time and greeting line after the service

After the blessing and dismissal, an usher will guide you to exit the sanctuary using the side doors leading to the Narthex

Worshippers may exit the building using the outer center doors or the ramp exit to Golden Hill Street, as long as the required 6-foot social distancing guideline is maintained.

Volunteer Opportunities to support the reopening effort:

• Attendants needed to check in members and guests who registered online, or those who called in to the church office
• Parish Nurses to check temperatures as worshippers enter the building
• Greeters to ensure all persons entering the building are wearing a mask covering the nose and mouth
• Ushers to seat worshippers in designated seating to maintain the 6-foot social distancing; dismiss worshippers after the service
• Disinfecting and sanitizing teams to ensure cleaning and disinfecting occurs after the service

Please contact the church office at (203)336-0152, or via email at office@goldenhill.org and let us know how you can support the reopening effort.