Dear Friends,

In light of our anticipated regathering for worship, at the request of the Archbishop, and in anticipation of provincial expectations, the Parish Council has approved a plan for regathering. Some of the highlights from this were mentioned in my first email on this subject, sent out on Tuesday. Below, however, you will find the detailed plan. 

The Wardens, Council, and I recognize that not all aspects of this plan will be to everyone's liking. On a personal level, I will be the first to declare that I cannot wait for the day when we can regather physically, in our church buildings, and sing as well as say prayers and praises to the Lord. Until that great and glorious day comes, however, I hope that this will see us through.

Blessings,

Fr. Ian+
(Archdeacon Ian Wissler, Rector)

Physical Gathering Plan for Worship – St. Stephen’s Parish, Chester

This document affirms all stated directives detailed in the Archbishop’s letter to the Diocese (dated 27 May 2020). It also affirms all future communications on this topic which may come from the Bishop’s Office, or in the absence of the bishop, by those in stewardship of that office until his successor is installed.

This document also affirms all directives from the Provincial Office of Public Health, and any which may be forthcoming. This especially pertains to directives around limits as to numbers of people who can gather in our spaces, and how much physical distancing space is needed for each person/household unit gathered (not received at the time of writing).

Any guidelines which may come in conflict with any guidance/declarations/orders from either Public Health or the Bishop’s Office, the Parish will defer to those directives instead.

The Parish Council grants to the Rector and Wardens the ability to modify these guidelines according to pronouncements from Diocesan and provincial authorities, and as our experience of physical gathering for worship may show needs to exist, and efficiencies may be discovered.

References to “St. Stephen’s Church” “St. George’s Church” and “All Saints’ Church” are understood to mean the congregations who worship at those respective points, and not to the buildings themselves, unless otherwise specified.

Section 1 - General Directives for All Points

1. A. Congregational numbers limits will be strictly enforced, as will all physical distancing measures dictated. This may regrettably mean that not everyone who wishes to physically attend worship will certainly be able to.

1. B. Greeters will have to keep track of where the congregation is in terms of limits, and it will be their responsibility to inform those who arrive after that limit has been reached that such is the case.

1. C. Greeters at worship will have the responsibility of recording the names and phone numbers of ALL people present, including that of the Presiding Celebrant/Officiant. This will be to assist the Office of Public Health with “contact tracing” should any person in attendance be tested positive with COVID-19. These records will be kept in the Parish Office.

1. D. Singing will not be a part of worship (see the Archbishop’s Letter). Instrumental music will be most welcome, as will recorded singing. In the latter case, those in attendance will be reminded not to “sing along”. This applies to funerals as well as to Sunday worship.

1. E. Physical Distancing between participants/households will be maintained at all times. Participants will sit in designated spots.

1. F. There is to be no physical contact between participants except those in the same household/bubble. This applies for the Exchange of Peace, as well as social greetings. See “E” above.

1. G. There will be no “receiving line” by the Presider/Officiant at the conclusion of worship. All participants are asked to simply depart in an orderly fashion, maintaining distancing.

1. H. The Holy Eucharist will be celebrated on the first Sunday of each month, as well as any Sundays which are high or primary Feast Days, as well as our first Sunday gathering together. Exceptions are in those instances of the Rector’s absence, where the Presiding Celebrant may decline to officiate that rite. In the case of St. George’s, the Holy Eucharist will be celebrated on the second Sunday of the month. The remaining Sundays will see either Morning Prayer, Ante-Communion, or another Service of the Word as the liturgy for the day. At the distribution of the Eucharist, only the Presiding Celebrant will receive the wine on behalf of the worshiping community.

1. I. All participants will be required to wear masks, which may be raised or removed only to receive the Sacrament of Communion, and immediately replaced. Any person wishing to participate who arrives without a mask will be required to acquire one before being admitted.

1. J. Offering plates will not be passed through the congregation. Plates will be left in a prominent spot in the worship space and participants may leave alms in them. Members of the parish are encouraged to consider or continue tithing through PAR or e-transfer.

1.K. Hand sanitizer will be distributed throughout the worship space, to ensure easy access.

1.M. Worship spaces will be cleaned/sanitized after each service or event.

1.N. Basic safety/health measures will be posted in a prominent space at the entries to our buildings.

1. O. Bulletins and worship books will not be printed or distributed. Bulletins will still be electronically published in advance, and any who wish to print one off and bring it may do so.

1.P. Fans of any kind, either floor or ceiling, will not be operated during warm weather.

1.Q. Baptisms will be held. However, groups to be gathered at the font will be limited to 10, and must be of the same family unit. One of the parents will hold the child during the baptism, and a shell or other implement will be used to perform the actual sacrament.

Section 2 – St. Stephen’s Church

2.A. It is not feasible or affordable for St. Stephen’s to clean/sanitize as thoroughly as needed between an 8 a.m. and an 11 a.m. service. As a result, there will be one service at St. Stephen’s on Sunday mornings, starting at 10:30 a.m.

2.B. Regular Sunday worship will continue to be held in Tuck Hall. This will facilitate easier physical distancing between participants with the placement of chairs. As we are unable to distribute or print worship materials, this will allow us to project the order of service. In addition it will also facilitate the continuation of live-streaming. It will also enable us to more thoroughly distribute hand-sanitizer dispensers through the space.

2.C. Funerals may be held in St. Stephen’s Church. Musical accompaniment is welcome, but again, no singing can be allowed. Worship materials, either bulletins or books will not be distributed to those in attendance, and all other applicable rules (including use of masks) apply. The space will be thoroughly cleaned after each service.

2.D. Floors at Tuck Hall will be marked to ensure that proper physical distancing is maintained in the line for Communion. Only as many people as there are marks will be able to form the line at any given time.

Section 3 – St. George’s Church & All Saints’ Church

3.A. In the case of St. George’s Worship will continue to take place on the 2^nd through 4^th Sundays of the month. However, the service time will move from 9:15 to 9 a.m. For All Saints’, worship will continue to take place on the 1^st and 3^rd Sundays of the month. On the first Sunday at 9 a.m., and on the 3^rd Sunday at 4:30 or 7 p.m.

3. B. Participants who are not in the same household/bubble will need to maintain physical space from one another. This will mean sitting a minimum distance back from the centre aisle in the pew, as well as leaving the required number of pews between participants. The “margin” between the aisle and where participants can sit will be clearly marked.

3.C. Those who wish to come to the front to receive the Holy Eucharist must maintain physical distancing.