The diocesan COVID-19 Task Force provides answers to Frequently Asked Questions regarding the first stage of return to church buildings and clarification of the direction and guidelines provided in the Back to the Buildings document. Please note these are not in any specific order.
Q: THIS IS A FAIRLY LENGTHY DOCUMENT. IS THERE AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP?
A: Certainly! We know every congregation will have to implement these guidelines to the best of their abilities and resources. We recognize that there are many things to consider for all of you. If the full document feels overwhelming right now, here are the primary focus points for Sunday worship:
- 10 or fewer people, total, in your worship space. This includes all ministers and musicians.
- Everyone will wear masks and use hand sanitizer. (Yes, this means stationing people at the doors to check.)
- Work out a way to seat household groups at least 6 feet apart.
- If possible, figure out a "one way traffic" pattern for walking around the church.
- No singing.
- If you distribute Holy Communion, it will be the Precious Body only.
- Minimize touching, maximize cleaning (hands, items, and building).
- Keep records of who is present (written lists or photographs) in case contact tracing is needed later.
Q: We want to gather as best we can, but communion seems too risky. Can we keep doing Morning Prayer?
You can! Morning Prayer is one optiona. Another option is to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word portion of the Holy Eucharist, using the directions found at the bottom of page 405 in the Book of Common Prayer.
Q: Why aren’t we screening people with temperature checks?
A: We are relying on people to stay home if they feel ill in any way, including having a fever. This is one of the best ways to avoid infecting others. It appears that even people who are asymptomatic and afebrile may still be infected and therefore a normal temperature would not exclude the possibility of illness. Wearing masks, social distancing, and hand washing are the best measures we have to reduce risk from asymptomatic carriers of the virus.
Q: Why will we be distributing Communion this way rather than others?
A. We are attempting to be responsible to both health concerns and theological concerns. Having people commune individually from a paten(s) large enough to for the Host to be spread out with communicants washing hands with sanitizer before and after communing addresses the first concern. Theologically it seems wise to maintain the symbolism of one bread, one body by having the bread together on the altar during consecration.
Q: Why is only the celebrant to receive the wine?
A. We take the rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer seriously in the Diocese of Fond du Lac. But this particular rubric (BCP, p. 407) does not address the realities of pandemic. There is a long tradition of allowing for some flexibility in times of "plague, sweat, or such other like contagious times of sickness or diseases." The Presiding Bishop has been clear that adaptation in this regard is acceptable.
Q: Why is singing not being allowed at services at this time?
A: Singing (and shouting) sends more virus laden particles into the air, compared with talking,
and a mask may not fully prevent this. There have been several episodes of large numbers of
choir members falling ill with COVID-19 after singing with an infected choir member. Singing
together in church may carry the same risk.
and a mask may not fully prevent this. There have been several episodes of large numbers of
choir members falling ill with COVID-19 after singing with an infected choir member. Singing
together in church may carry the same risk.
Q: Why are outside church gatherings being restricted the same way as inside gatherings?
A: Although it is thought that the risk of spreading COVID-19 to nearby people is lower outside
than inside, there is still some risk, and uncertainty about how great that risk is. Until more
information is available about outside risk, the COVID-19 task force recommended using the
same guidance inside and outside.
than inside, there is still some risk, and uncertainty about how great that risk is. Until more
information is available about outside risk, the COVID-19 task force recommended using the
same guidance inside and outside.
Q: Why are masks required, rather than being recommended, or left to the individual’s choice?
A: Many new cases of COVID-19 are due to spread of the virus from people who are infected
but have no symptoms of illness. As many as 40% of cases may spread this way. Masks stop
some of the particles in the air we breathe out, and so wearing a mask reduces the chance that
we will unknowingly infect someone else. We wear a mask to protect others in our church
community, not just to protect ourselves.
but have no symptoms of illness. As many as 40% of cases may spread this way. Masks stop
some of the particles in the air we breathe out, and so wearing a mask reduces the chance that
we will unknowingly infect someone else. We wear a mask to protect others in our church
community, not just to protect ourselves.
Q: Why Are we restricting the amount of people on a Sunday service to 10 people and not 25% of the church capacity like neighbors church is doing?
A. We believe that moving a bit more slowly is better. Besides safety concerns, this gives congregations an opportunity to "practice" being back in church under the conditions in the guidelines, most of which will continue as we begin welcoming larger numbers back.
We hope the 10 person limit will not last many Sundays. We will increase the size o9f gatherings as it is deemed safe.
We hope the 10 person limit will not last many Sundays. We will increase the size o9f gatherings as it is deemed safe.
Q: Are these instructions only for Sunday morning or are midweek services OK?
A: Yes, midweek services are allowed as long as you follow the guidelines.
Q; Is it safe to use air conditioners or fans during a service (or other gathering)?
A: It is possible for the wind from an air conditioner or fan to move virus laden particles from one person to another, even though they are 6 feet apart. For this reason, the airflow from these units should be directed away from people, and people should avoid sitting close to the units. With these precautions, air conditioners and fans can be safely used. No special filter is needed for air conditioners.