Area places of worship preparing to resume in-person services

By Leann Schenke
Posted 5/15/21

DOVER — A little more than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic — and the COVID-19 vaccine becoming more readily available — some aspects of “normal” life are starting to …

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Area places of worship preparing to resume in-person services

Posted

DOVER — A little more than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic — and the COVID-19 vaccine becoming more readily available — some aspects of “normal” life are starting to resume.

Places of worship will be allowed to reopen at full capacity come May 21, though the social distancing mandate of three feet apart will still apply.

Even with loosening restrictions, for the Rev. Turhan L. Potter, Whatcoat United Methodist Church is “not the building, it’s the people.”

“We could have all the things lined up in the world. Top-notch everything, but it’s an issue of (the congregation) being concerned about their own personal health because of preexisting conditions,” Rev. Potter said. “For (the congregation), whether I’m meeting virtually or whether I’m meeting in person, I’m still connected. The key is being connected.”

Masks will still be required indoors and events of more than 250 people indoors and outdoors will still require plan approval of Delaware Public Health. Returning to the physical buildings will likely mean plenty of hand sanitizer, regular cleaning and disinfecting.

Whatcoat Church will continue to meet virtually with the goal of returning to some in-person services in late May. While the church has created a pandemic task force to help navigate reopening, Rev. Potter said members of his congregation are in no rush to attend in-person services because of health concerns or pre-existing conditions. At most, he said the church may reopen to 25% capacity.

“Some are a little bit hesitant, which is understandable,” Rev. Potter said. “In fact many (members of the congregation) said they still want to worship at home because they are nervous about coming back. Even with the mask mandate and the social distancing requirement still being in place, we’re just not comfortable yet.”

Similarly, Seaside Jewish Community has offered virtual services via Zoom throughout the pandemic. Joel Simon, president of SJC, said plans are still being finalized to offer one in-person service a month come June.

Mr. Simon said the transition to virtual was difficult at first, but the congregation quickly learned to adapt.

“We were used to being together in the community, so it was an adjustment to doing meetings via Zoom and services via Zoom,” Mr. Simon said. “By April and May, we’d kind of adjusted to the new normal.”

The Rev. Charles Weiss, of Christ Episcopal Church in Dover, said the church has been offering livestreams of its services on Facebook. As the church is going through a renovation project, today there will be two in-person services offered at the church: the first at 8 a.m. in the parish hall and then at 10 a.m. in the church yard, weather permitting (otherwise in the parish hall). In-person services resumed May 1 for the church.

Adapting to the times, Rev. Weiss said staff keep track of everyone who attends in-person services in case contract tracing is needed. Masks are required and high-touch surfaces are frequently cleaned.

Like Rev. Potter’s congregation, Mr. Simon said people are still hesitant to come back to the physical building.

“My goal is that we’re able to do two services a month or three services a month and eventually increase it as we go through the rest of 2021,” Mr. Simon said. “We’re moving slowly with it. We want to make sure that it’s safe and that COVID rates continue to stabilize and drop before we go both feet in and dive into it.”

Rev. Potter said Whatcoat’s ministry has continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic though it has shifted to include COVID-19 testing and vaccination events. With minority populations being among the hardest hit by the virus, Rev. Potter said, the church has been reaching out to offer support and education for the public.

“During this time of the pandemic, we have a lot of people who are struggling with their mental health,” Rev. Potter said. “We have a lot of people who are even struggling in their faith. They’re wondering, ‘God, where are you?’”

He said it’s important the church continue its message of hope and a message that “God has not left us.”

“There are some people who cannot meet virtually, so we have conference calls or emails or send letters or cards out,” Rev. Potter said. “Whatever it takes to let people know that we have not forgotten about them. We have been very intentional with our methods and how we communicate the love of God throughout this pandemic.”

Rev. Potter said Whatcoat has divided his congregation into groups with leaders who check in with the congregation on a regular basis as an “extension of my arms and hands so that people will know that the church is still there,” he said.

Mr. Simon said it’s been crucial for SJC to maintain some type of normality for it’s congregation and streaming services has been one way to accomplish that.

“There’s still ways to connect — whether it’s been before or after our services — some of the people stick around on the Zoom,” Mr. Simon said. “They’ll chit chat and catchup with each other. I think that’s an example of an opportunity to connect with other people that’s really valuable and if there weren’t virtual services, those people might not have those connections. That’s been really important.”

Rev. Potter echoed Mr. Simon on the importance of offering a space — virtual or otherwise — for people to connect.

“By whatever means necessary, people will know that we are available. That the gospel is still being preached. That the love of God is still being shown through contact in some type of way,” Rev. Potter said. “It may not be the way that we are accustomed with doing, but people will know that we are still showing the love of Christ.”

To commemorate the more than 1,600 residents of Delaware who have died from COVID-19, the Presbyterian Church of Dover has created an illuminated Remembrance Memorial in its courtyard.

A public dedication will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, May 24. Social distancing protocols will be followed.

The memorial will run from May 24 through July 26 on the church’s front lawn on the corner of South State and Reed streets. Parking is available at the Dover city lot across the street. For more information, call 302-734-3313 and ask for Pastor Duke.
“The memorial offers a visual representation of the number of deaths by month,” a news release from the church states.

The news release describes the space as one for “healing, reflection and prayer” honoring those who have passed from COVID-19.
For Rev. Weiss, the community atmosphere church congregations offer has been essential throughout the pandemic and as it continues.

“The word that comes to mind for me is ‘community.’ Christ Church thinks of itself as a community that cares for one another and cares for the community outside its walls,’ Rev. Weiss said. “I’ve had a lot of people tell me that as disconnected as it felt to be apart and be worshiping virtually, it nonetheless was a very important connection.”

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