Not Too "Up Close & Personal" Worship

 

Yesterday we went to church. To be more accurate, we travelled to Trenton where we gathered with other members of our Christian community for the experience of worship. It was a beautiful morning, which was ideal because we met outside, in the church parking lot no less. The TUC council has deliberated about how to resume worship after the required provincial shut-down following Easter Sunday. Some people wanted to gather again, but not inside. Some were dubious about the challenges of being outdoors adjacent to a busy street. In the end a compromise of alternating indoor and outdoor services was struck. 

So there we were in the parking lot, carefully distanced and still wearing masks, even though the latter probably wasn't necessary because we were outside.  The music and message were meaningful, as they are when worship is online (yesterday's service was also recorded and shared).  It was the intangibles of coming together which were striking. Before worship commenced we sang Happy Birthday to Rev. Isaac, a happy moment. During the service there were a few chuckles and when we made the sign of peace we tried to figure out who everyone was with masks on, hair longer, and dye jobs long gone! There were about ten children in an activity area beneath some shade trees and it was a delight to see them busily at work with crafts and using sidewalk chalk on the pavement. Oh yes, we actually sang the hymns, albeit with masks on. 

We were participants in this service as well as during the shoulder periods before and after. People spoke before and after, catching up on life, respecting the guidelines for distancing. Some present hadn't attended in-person worship since March 2020, even though we had several periods of indoor worship during the past 15 months, so this was a homecoming. 

I appreciate that every congregation has been required to make difficult decisions regarding in-person worship based on location in hotspots and sanctuary size. I applaud the Trenton UC council for doing the difficult work of discernment about what to do in their situation. It has required creativity when everyone is COVID-weary, and this has been a roller coaster ride,  but it has made a difference to the health of the congregation. 

I have always maintained that gathering for worship is the "heart and lungs" of a community of faith. I certainly felt that yesterday.