{"id":26979,"date":"2021-03-20T14:43:10","date_gmt":"2021-03-20T18:43:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=26979"},"modified":"2021-03-21T13:03:36","modified_gmt":"2021-03-21T17:03:36","slug":"limited-in-person-worship-resumes-3-28-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=26979","title":{"rendered":"Limited In-Person Worship Resumes! (3\/28\/21)"},"content":{"rendered":"

News Flash:\u00a0 People are welcome to attend our morning worship service on Palm Sunday!\u00a0<\/span> <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A little more than a year ago, it would have seemed ridiculous to post a statement like that a church website.\u00a0 But during this year of Covid and social distancing, it has not been safe for a congregation to gather inside our building.\u00a0 We’ve had to depend on Live Stream to worship.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

When the pandemic numbers declined during last summer and into the fall, we opened for a congregation (between October 18 to December 20). When the number of hospitalizations and deaths began to climb again, we were forced to return to Live Stream Only during the Christmas season.\u00a0 But as more and more people get vaccinated, the hospitalizations and deaths are falling again.\u00a0 And, it’s looking more and more like we’re approaching the end of this difficult period.\u00a0 So, beginning with Palm Sunday (March 28), we will begin to allow a congregation again.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

But we’re not quite there yet, so we won’t let down our guard.\u00a0 The safety measures that we used back in the winter will remain in place.\u00a0 As the situation changes, the safety requirements will change.\u00a0 As we have been doing all along, we will evaluate the situation week to week.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

On March 13, Pastor Jim issued the following email message to announce the good news about Palm Sunday:<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t

Grace and Peace to each of you in the name of Jesus Christ!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\nIt is with joy we announce that PUMC will have “in person” worship again beginning on Palm Sunday, March 28. We will also have in person \"\"worship on Maundy Thursday at 7:00pm, Good Friday at 7:00pm, and Easter Sunday at 10:15am. While there are those who still do not feel comfortable attending in person worship at this point, please know that you will still be able to worship via the live\u00a0stream<\/a> each Sunday at 10:15am.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are those who are anxious to return to in person worship.\u00a0\u00a0At this point to start, we will welcome 50 worshippers at each service (this is 50 people in the pews and does not include members of the Tech Team, Praise Team, Ushers, or Pastor).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As we return to in person worship we will continue the safety practices advised by the CDC, the Insurance Company, Bishop, and what we were doing during the first return to in person\u00a0worship<\/a> back in October.\u00a0 For example:<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Who Should Attend…<\/span><\/h4>\n