Dear Hillsdale church family,
Today I have good news. Based on Governor Murphy’s recent announcement, Hillsdale will resume in-person worship on Sept. 20th. The Reopening team has met several times in order to develop a thoughtful plan to reopen Hillsdale for in-person gatherings and the plan was recently approved by the Hillsdale Administrative Board.
It has been more than five months since we have been able to gather together at church. I know we are all eager for the time when we can go back to the way things were. But with the reality of the pandemic we will be making some changes to how church services will run as we keep the health and safety of our members in mind.
Here is a FAQ list with details.
1. WHEN ARE THE SERVICES, AND HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN COME?
Starting Sept. 20th, there will be only one Sunday worship service at 10 A.M. Until further notice, 25 people will be allowed per service. For the first month of reopening, we will open the sanctuary only for worship services. Later on, we will open the fellowship hall to add to the number of people joining our worship services.
2. HOW WILL WE MANAGE THE CAPACITY LIMITATIONS?
We will use ‘Eventbrite Seating reservations program.’ A link will be available in our weekly email newsletter and our facebook page. We will open the program for reservations on Tuesdays at 9:00 am of each week, and you may reserve a seat by completing the 3 questions- name, email and the number of seats you are asking to be reserved for the service of your choice.
To reserve a seat, click the link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hillsdale-dec-13th-seating-reservations-tickets-131753567467
Once you complete the form you will receive a confirmation email. If your plans change and you decide you will not be attending worship, please cancel your reservation, so that seat is available for others.
Persons without a computer or those having trouble with the reservation system may call the church office (201-664-5231) or Kristine Melius to save a seat.
3. WHY DO WE HAVE TO RESERVE A SEAT TO COME TO WORSHIP?
If we did not do it this way, many more people would probably show up for worship service than we are allowed and we would have to turn them away that morning. This method will prevent that.
4. WHAT ABOUT WALK-IN VISITORS?
We always want to welcome visitors. Therefore, we are reserving a few seats for visitors.
5. WHAT ABOUT ONLINE WORSHIP and ZOOM PHONE SERVICE?
Our 10am service will be live-streamed through the church Facebook page. Persons without a computer can worship with us through Zoom.
6. WHAT WILL IN-PERSON WORSHIP SERVICE BE LIKE?
There will be NO passing of offering baskets or welcome pads or bulletins. Offering boxes will be located in the back of the sanctuary. The Holy Communion will be provided the first Sunday of the month using individual prepackaged communion cups. There will be NO congregational singing or choirs. You may want to hum along as hymns and songs are played. There will be instrumental music and in-person soloists.
7. WHAT ARE THE PROTOCOLS?
All worshippers will be required to wear masks. We ask that worshippers bring their own masks. We will have some masks for persons who may have forgotten theirs. All worshippers will use hand sanitizer as they enter worship. Seating will be according to recommended social distancing standards, and worshippers will be guided to available seats, which will be marked.
8. WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN?
We have virtual Sunday School for your children. To register, click the link; https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdkWV1eS-enY2IlYTwzIpguS_W2B5kNv-5INsGKW0wyVnPwxg/viewform?gxids=7628
Currently child care is not available.
9. WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW BEFORE COMING TO IN-PERSON WORSHIP?
The church door will be open 15 minutes before the worship service begins. You may park wherever you wish in the lots but make sure to keep 6 feet apart from others. Proceed to the main entrance – the double front door on Hillsdale Ave. As you approach the building, you will be asked to stop at the yellow line to get your temperature taken. As you enter you will be asked to use hand sanitizer and be reminded to keep your mask on. An offering box will be present as you enter the church. There will be no fellowship time before or after worship. Restrooms will be available for 1 person at a time.
10. CAN I VOLUNTEER?
We need your help to reopen our church. Volunteers will assist with four (4) areas of support: Welcoming Team, Worship Team, Disinfecting Team and Tech Team. If you’d like to volunteer, please click the link below to complete the volunteer form. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeKJTDNQuKAKT6z44B6kmt1UGg6Y50TdtofyfxmXpTczFcA7g/viewform?usp=sf_link
We know this is a lot of information to process. Probably some of you have mixed emotions on reopening; on one hand excited to see our church family but on the other hand frustrated with all these health and safety guidelines to consider. Whatever feelings you have, let us embrace the change and make the best of it as we navigate through these difficult times together. May we all be filled with the Holy Spirit and see its fruit in our individual lives and our corporate life together.
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Julie