Churches struggle with rules as they consider whether to hold services

Jun 17, 2020

Because of aging congregations, many of the local churches do not have a problem conforming to the 30% capacity restrictions that are included in a long list of requirements that they need to follow in order to hold services in their churches.

But the list of requirements is much longer and more involved than the 30% capacity rule, sanitization and mask protocols, and even restrictions regarding singing hymns while in Church.

It has proven to be too much for a number of churches, who will be waiting until at least September to open. Some churches are gearing to start holding services this weekend, while others are targeting late June or early July for a restart to in-person church services.

Bishop Michael Outen of the Ontario Diocese of the Anglican Church of Canada has made it clear that Anglican Churches will not open until at least September, as he outlined in a letter last month.

“Regardless of where the Government of Ontario is, with its reopening plan, our churches will not be reopening for in-person worship until at least September. This decision was made in consultation with public health experts as well as our diocesan executive officers and chancellors, with the well-being and safety of all our parishioners and the communities we serve uppermost in our hearts and minds.”

The local Anglican Churches are remaining active even as the buildings remain shuttered. St. Paul’s in Sydenham has developed a weekly newsletter that includes a weekly sermon, some general COVID-19 information, and some more specific information about services and business openings in the village of Sydenham. The newsletter is delivered electronically and delivered in paper form for those who request, and it is being requested by parishioners and, increasingly, other community members.

The regional council of the United Church did not make a final decision for the local churches, but they are suggesting the same timeframe be applied: A  motion passed by the council last week, “strongly recommend[s] that no churches reopen for public worship before Labour Day weekend”. 

With one exception, all of the United Churches in Frontenac County and Addington Highlands have indicated they will remain closed until September. These include Land O’Lakes Emmanuel, Sharbot Lake, Henderson, Arden, Mountain Grove, Parham, and Trinity (Verona and Harrowsmith).

Trinity United Church is planning to run at least one outdoor service in each of July and August.

The exception, and this may only be the case until their local church board meets on Wednesday evening (June 16), to decide whether to open or wait until September, is the Storrington Pastoral charge (Battersea and Inverary United Churches), 

Other churches are going to be holding services this weekend. The Harrowsmith Free Methodist Church is going to be holding a Sunday service this week. Regular churchgoers are being asked to contact the church by email by Thursday evening to indicate if they are planning to attend and how many are in their family group to help the church staff determine how to set up chairs for the service. There will be one entrance door and one exit door and sanitizer and PPE available. 

There will be singing, less than normal, and those who are uncomfortable with singing will have an alternate room to sit in. The service will be available online, just as services have been for months, for parishioners who are not comfortable with physically attending church.

Verona Free Methodist Church has already held one Sunday Service, on June 14th, and will be holding Sunday services from now, unless provincial orders change. They are also preparing to do drive-in or outdoor services if necessary.

Catholic Churches are beginning to hold services this weekend, at least in some locations such as Sacred in Bedford and St. James in Sharbot Lake.

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Railton has just started condusinc weekday mass at 11am Tuesday to Friday and Sunday mass at 10am 

(ed. note – we did not get in touch with St. Killians in Ardoch to confirm their plans -  a mistake on our part)

Among the other churches we were able to contact, The River of Life Christian Fellowship (Plevna) will not be holding services in church this week, but are working on opening in the coming weeks.

Sharbot Lake Penetecostal Church will be holding Sunday services starting this week.

Through the Roof Ministry (Flinton) is currently holding virtual services, but is planning to hold church services starting on July 5.

We were unable to contact all of the churches to confirm their plans, so it is best to call the churches or check the community columns in upcoming editions of the Frontenac News.

(this article will be updated with new information as it comes in at frontenacnews.ca – services will be listed as part of our re-launch of Events and Happenings next week)