Information about In-Person Worship

What to Expect When Coming back to 61 Nassau Street

• Everyone coming to the sanctuary on Sunday morning is expected to do their own health check at home prior to arriving. If you do sign up and are not experiencing any health concerns or symptoms, please make sure to come, as there may be others who would have liked to come, but found there was not enough space in registration. The doors to the sanctuary will be opened at 9:30 for the 10:00 a.m. service.
• For the safe inclusion of children and anyone yet to be vaccinated, all worshippers are expected to wear masks and remain distanced in seating, moving around the grounds/front plaza, and in greeting new and dear friends.
• Ushers will assist worshippers in finding the designated seating and will try but cannot guarantee favorite and traditional locations.
• Bulletins will be available in the designated pews and will not distributed by the ushers. Please plan to use the bulletins and the hymns reprinted there rather than the hymnals or bibles in the pew racks.
• There will be no offering plates passed for collection. An offering plate/basket will be available on the table in the narthex and you may continue to contribute online or through the mail.
• The congregation will be invited to share in speaking the unison prayers and affirmation of faith (while masked). Only the section leaders will be singing the hymns (while masked). Worship leaders and the congregation will follow along singing only “in their heads.” The congregation will be invited to sing (while masked) either one final hymn or benediction response, please follow the directions provided on Sunday.
• At the conclusion of the service we know worshippers will want to enjoy fellowship and greetings. All fellowship, greeting, and conversation will take place outside on the front plaza. Staff and ushers will direct people to make their way outside and not linger after worship after listening to the postlude. Like “normal” Sundays in the past others make their departure after the benediction/response. If that is your choice, please quickly move any greetings/conversations outdoors.
• The bathrooms near the kitchen on the first floor are available for your use. They are professionally sanitized each week. Please be wise with occupancy. Those visiting the restroom should go by way of the “great hall” outside the church office. The library and sound room entrance will not be used on Sundays by members of the congregation.
• Other areas of the building are not open at this time as ventilation work and preparations for the fall continue.
• During livestream worship the prelude has usually been starting on the hour. The prelude will not begin before the hour. Prior to the prelude a member of the staff will give a few instructions and reminders related to the hybrid nature of our worship.