During the coronavirus pandemic which started in the Spring of 2020, we began to take extra precautions to ensure that anyone attending a worship service is safe. In March of 2020, we suspended our normal 9:30 and 11:00 worship services and moved to a single Live Stream only service at 10:15. At the time, the pandemic was spreading and no congregation was permitted to attend this service.
But conditions are currently improving, and we are gradually reaching a “new normal” in how we protect ourselves from this virus.
This page outlines the current state of the pandemic and of our precautions. Welcome to church!!!
Refer to the “This Sunday” block in the right hand sidebar to see if there will be an in-person congregation this week.
How We’re Keeping Safe…
Since this pandemic started, we’ve constantly had to deal with questions regarding the safe use of our building. Should we require vaccinations? Should we require masks? Should we even hold in person events???
Our policy is simply to defer to the experts by following the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and State of NJ recommendations.
“Community Level” Recommendations…
At the end of February 2022, Health officials and scientists began to view the virus as being “endemic” instead of as a “pandemic.” Instead of basing its recommendations solely on case rates and community spread, the CDC factored in hospitalizations and simplified its categories of recommendations. Currently, they have established a three tier “Community Level” system of recommendations. The overall level of COVID-19 within a given county is described as “High,” “Medium,” or “Low.” Within each level is a separate set of recommendations regarding issues such as vaccinations and masks.
To view our current “COVID Community Level” and recommendations, use the below widget (this is from the CDC website). For PUMC, select New Jersey and Gloucester County:
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For More Information About the Virus
County by County Data Tracker (from the CDC):
NJ Data Dashboard (from the State of NJ):
The below graph from the New York Times loads faster than the NJ Dashboard…
Going to Church!
Despite the virus, we continue to safely hold worship services by following the CDC and State guidelines. When conditions permit, here’s how we’re currently conducting “in person worship” in a way that keeps us all safe. Note that all of these policies are subject to revision as the state of the pandemic changes.
Our two primary defenses against the virus are:
- Vaccinations (Strongly Recommended)
- Masks (Follow CDC recommendations- see above)
Here is our current position regarding these two tools…
Vaccination
We recommend that anyone entering the Sanctuary be fully vaccinated against the virus.
If You’re Not Vaccinated…
Anyone who has not been fully vaccinated (or is choosing not to be vaccinated) must enter the church grounds with the understanding that they are taking on the responsibility of possibly being exposed to covid-19 by not wearing a mask (or by gathering inside where all may not be vaccinated).
Masks
Wearing a mask is optional if fully vaccinated. However, if unvaccinated, wear a mask out of respect for your well-being and that of your neighbors.
It is the prayer of PUMC to continue to try to keep everyone safe and allow for an environment which will be best for worship and fellowship. Thank you for your cooperation, patience, and support through these challenging and unprecedented times.
NOTE: The CDC currently recommends wearing masks for everyone when indoors (see above).
Welcome to Worship!
We welcome anyone to worship in our Sanctuary on Sunday mornings! Our vantage is more along the lines of “suggestions” or “guidance” as opposed to “rules” or “requirements.” The goal for everyone is obvious: Stay safe yourself while taking precautions to avoid any chance of spreading the virus to someone else.
Below are some of the specifics on how we’re currently operating during our worship services (and as applicable to the building use in general)…
Click/tap the tab to read more about each topic…
Online Bulletin
A printer friendly bulletin is available. Please contact the church office to be placed on the list to receive this bulletin each week via email. Some printed copies of this bulletin are also available in the Narthex.
Additionally, an interactive online bulletin is provided on this website for each service.
The “online bulletin” on this website includes the Order of Worship and hyperlinks to Scripture Readings and Music Lyrics. Consider bookmarking this on your phone before coming to church (the URL of the bulletin page never changes; its content is updated each week. Once you bookmark it you can use it every week). You can open the bulletin with this button: Bulletin
Or (if you’re not reading this on your phone), scan the below QR code and bookmark the link on your phone:

Online Bulletin
Live Stream
We have been broadcasting all of our services on our Live Stream page since 2017. When the pandemic closed our sanctuary, the Live Stream capability became a lifeline which allowed us to continue to worship from home. Even when we permit a limited and “socially distanced” in person congregation, and as we return to a fully “normal” situation, the Live Stream will continue to be valuable worship connection.
Even when in-person congregations are permitted, every service will be broadcast over our Live Stream. We will continue to hold only one service, and it will begin at 10:15. To “join” in worship from home, click this button: Live Stream
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For updates about Worship at PUMC, click this button: News