As we navigate the reopening of the church through various stages, we will posts all updates here.
If you have any questions, please email us. We look forward to seeing you soon!
6/29/20 A update from Rev. Weldon:
New worship schedule begins - - Sunday, July 12, 2020!
Dear First United Methodist Members & Friends,
Beginning Sunday, July 12, we will offer TWO morning worship services each Sunday:
9:30 AM Contemporary worship
11:00 AM Traditional worship
For the time-being, both services will be held in the contemporary worship center, and will be 45 minutes in length.
The chairs will be set at the proper distance and will be sanitized between each service. Masks will be worn by all present. We will use the overhead screens instead of hymnbooks and bulletins. No nursery during Phase 2. Offering plates will not be passed, but an offering box will be available at the exit door. We, of course, receive weekly offerings through the mail or online through the website with credit cards or PayPal.
Our sermon series on "The Soundtrack of Our Lives - and the Gospel" will continue all during the summer.
I SO appreciate the hard work of our church staff in offering 4 services for so many weeks, as we have continued to feel our way through this strange time in our lives. Please help us spread the word that we are going back to 2 services on July 12.
See you Sunday in person, or online!
Rev. Weldon Bares
Senior Pastor
6/5/20 A video from Rev. Weldon and Rev. Katie:
Reopening Safeguards for Returning to Church- - June 7!
5/12/20 A letter from Rev. Weldon:
Important information about reopening worship services- - June 7!
Dear First United Methodist Members & Friends,
Like you, I am SO READY for us to have our congregation to attend morning worship services in person once again at the corner of Broad and Kirkman! But, of course, we have to do it the right way and the safe way.
Bishop Harvey has asked that our churches not begin services until the end of May. So, this is our plan as of now.
We will begin having our worship services open to the congregation again on Sunday, June 7. But things will have to be different for a while. This will mean:
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For the time being, we will offer four morning worship services in the worship center at 8:30, 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30. The first two services will be contemporary and the second two will be traditional. Each service will last 45 minutes.
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To help balance the number of people attending each service, we are asking for:
Last name A - L to attend 8:30 Contemporary service
Last name M - Z to attend 9:30 Contemporary service
Or
Last name A-L to attend 10:30 Traditional service
Last name M - Z to attend 11:30 Traditional service
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We will have 73 chairs in the worship center, set up at the proper distance from each other. This is 25% of our capacity, abiding by the Governor's directive. The chairs will be sanitized after each service.
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We will also have 40 chairs in Paxton Hall for each service, for any potential overflow. We will have live-streaming of the service on the big screen in Paxton Hall.
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Following the guidelines of our Annual Conference, we will NOT have a nursery during Phase I of our re-opening. Kids are always welcome in worship.
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The reason that our services will be in the Worship Center for a while is so we can be sure that we are keeping with our seating capacity. We will also be able to use the overhead screens for the words of our hymns and responsive readings, so we won't have to use hymn books, as directed by our Annual Conference.
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Our church will be following the guidelines of our Annual Conference and the CDC. We are asking our members to practice social distancing, to wear masks for the services (please bring your own) and to not shake hands. We are very concerned for the safety and health of our members and friends. If you are not feeling well or feel uneasy about attending, please worship with us online. We will continue live streaming of our morning worship services on Facebook and our church website.
Obviously, this is all uncharted territory for us as a church, but we will figure this out, trusting in God's guidance and wisdom!
God is with us. We are not alone!
Rev. Weldon Bares
Senior Pastor