What does the Lord require of us? The answer the prophet Micah suggested in asking the question has shaped our imagination and our actions for generations: to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). The global health crisis and the varied responses to it have changed so very much in our life together; what has not changed is the great need for people who follow the way of Jesus Christ. Like no other, he embodies and exemplifies how to fully integrate the doing of justice with kindness and humility. It is good for us to remember him as we overhear or participate in discussions about next steps in our shared life with COVID-19.
Nashville saw a positive improvement/stability of metrics for 14 days, and began Phase Two of the Roadmap for Reopening Nashville on Monday, May 25. As far as our congregational life is concerned, this means that:
People age 65+ and high-risk are asked to continue to stay at home;
All wear masks in public and observe social distancing rules;
Small gatherings up to 25 persons are now possible.
For our congregation, this development will not result in any dramatic changes. Beginning on Sunday, May 31, we will modify our current Sunday morning worship and introduce opportunities for people to gather in person:
We will continue to livestream services and assume that a majority of worshipers will participate via livestream/video, rather than in person.
We will continue to lead worship from the sanctuary, now with a team of about 10-15 persons, including ministers, musicians, elders who wish to serve in person, and tech support. We expect all to wear masks, except when they sing or speak. We expect all to wash their hands frequently and/or use hand sanitizer.
We will continue to disinfect contact surfaces (door knobs, light switches, rails, bathrooms, window sills) before Sunday morning; cushions and pews are not likely to harbor live viruses between uses.
We will not significantly increase the number of in-person participants in Sunday morning worship until Nashville moves into Phase Three of the Roadmap for Reopening Nashville. This step may be further delayed due to renovation work at the church (e.g., certain bathrooms may not be accessible).
Our desire to come together in person is great. We invite congregants to safely gather in small groups for worship, prayer, and singing. To make sure these groups don’t get too large, they are only open to those who signed up in advance:
Sunday Evenings in the Chancel (Sundays at 5pm in the sanctuary, starting on June 7). Groups of 10-15 gather for approximately 30 minutes of prayer, scripture reading, and conversation. Chairs are pre-arranged in the chancel. This service is not livestreamed, and we ask that all participants sign up in advance.
Outdoor Hymn Sing. Katie and T.J. McLaughlin have scheduled one for Tuesday, June 2, at 6:30pm. Depending on congregational response, this may also become a recurring event, but only when the weather allows. You may sign up here.
When the city moves into Phase Three, and the renovation process permits it, we may increase the number of in-person participants in Sunday morning worship. However, we will not “re-open the church” until it is safe for all of us to come, including those age 65 and older and others who are facing higher mortality rates in case of infection. We are aware that it may be months before a vaccine may become available for all, making it safe for all to return to familiar patterns of public life.