Returning to Church
Greetings in Jesus' name,
Hopefully, by now you have heard that Calvary will be regathering for weekly services in June. As we look to begin our weekly services, I wanted to send this letter to help us all prepare for the next steps we will take together. First and foremost, the Elders, Parish Planning and I give thanks to God for all of you – for your prayers, moral support, and continued faithfulness in financial giving. This has been (and continues to be) a stressful and uncertain time. However, the joy of being on the receiving end of God’s blessings through the love and faith of His people is strengthening and sustaining. Thanks be to God!
I feel it necessary to reiterate a point I made earlier on in the pandemic. We have never been required by state or federal law to stop gathering for services. In the executive orders issued by Governor Whitmer, there has always been either an assumed or explicitly detailed article of exemption for those gathering at a house of worship for purposes of worship. We voluntarily halted our regular services in order to care for and protect the physical health of our members, and to aid our government in caring for the greater community. While the state restrictions for social gathering is now only at 10 people or less, we as a congregation are not bound to that limit. Ours is not a social gathering. We are the people of God gathering in the name of Jesus to receive the gifts of God.
I have often heard the mantra “Don’t go to church. Be the Church!” While I appreciate the sentiment of this statement there is one way that it is very lacking. The Greek word that we translate as “church” literally means “assembly” or “gathering.” That is why we use the word “congregation” to refer to Calvary and other church bodies. We literally cannot “be the Church” if we are not the people of God gathered around His gifts. How many people need to be gathered? Well, Jesus says wherever 2 or 3 are gathered in His name there He is in their midst. But the point remains, to “be the Church” is to be the gathered people of God.
With all of this being said, beginning Saturday June 6th (5:00 p.m.) and Sunday June 7th (10:30 a.m.) we will be regathering for weekly services. I know that many people have been eagerly waiting for this announcement, even desperately longing for the relief, comfort, and strength provided in our gathering together. Even so, many others are concerned that it is too soon. I share both the spiritual, and the physical concerns of all of you. I deeply want to gather with, and minister to our congregation. That being said, I also feel the weight of concern for the physical health of our congregation members, and the wider community. It is regarding all of these concerns that the elders and I met on May 17th for confession and absolution, prayer, and Holy Communion, and for discussion on how best we can come back together as a congregation.
We realize that many will not feel comfortable coming back together at first, and that others will simply be unable to come due to health issues. Nobody should feel pressured to come back immediately. If you are sick or have reason to believe that you have recently been exposed to the Corona Virus, please stay home and seek medical help. However, for those who do come, we want to make gathering as safe as we reasonably can, while maintaining the integrity of a faithful reception of God’s gifts to us in His Word and Sacrament.
On Sunday the 17th the Elders and I discussed many possible risks, and measures that would help reduce risk. We are doing our best to address all of the various issues. Nevertheless, our decisions will undoubtedly be viewed by some as not adequate enough, and by others as going too far. I ask that each of us would approach our regathering with prayer, and a heart of loving patience, understanding, and forgiveness toward each other. There have already been failures and mistakes on this journey. I am sure more will be made. We are one in Christ. Let’s show this truth.
I have already marked off every other row in our sanctuary to allow for a minimum of 6 feet of social distancing. Furthermore, we are advising people to alternate which side of the pew their household is sitting on in relation to those sitting two rows in front of them. This will effectively put 3 empty rows between most households (roughly 10-12 ft. of social distancing). We will usher people to their seats the first few weeks to make sure everyone understands where to sit and becomes familiar with this temporary seating arrangement.
Beyond the question of social distancing is the question of group size. Two numbers are floating around in the world right now with regard to how to lessen risk of transmission of the Corona virus in a group: first, limit groups to 50 people or less, and second, don’t fill a space to over 25% of its capacity. Before the pandemic hit, our average weekly service attendance was less than 80 people (that is a combined total of Saturday and Sunday services). I will be asking some regular Sunday attendees to switch to Saturday for the time being in order to even out our numbers, and keep our gatherings sizes below 50 people at each service. If we see a significant increase in our attendance in the coming weeks, we will look into adding another Sunday service in order to stay below that 50 person threshold.
As far as staying below the 25% of capacity goes, I have heard that in years past there were services with upwards of 800 people in our sanctuary. By my estimation we could comfortably fit around 425 adults on the main floor of the sanctuary. So, even if we are trying to keep our numbers below 25% capacity, 100 people in a service would still allow us to stay below that 25% threshold in the weeks and months to come.
Another consideration as we come back together is singing. It is believed that those who carry the virus can spread the virus more easily through the air while singing than while talking. Therefore, for the time being we will be limiting our congregational singing during the services. We are moving from Divine Service Setting Three to Setting Four, which incorporates the least amount of singing in any of our services. We will use soloists and instrumental arrangements for much of our music, gradually increasing the number of hymns sung by the congregation.
As we come back together, we need each of us to act responsibly and lovingly. I highly encourage you to check your temperature at home before coming to church, and do not come if you or someone in your household has a temperature. Wash your hands well, whenever appropriate, and feel free to use the hand sanitizer provided upon entering the sanctuary.
We highly encourage our members to wear masks during most of the service. However, masks will not be required. I can personally attest to the fact that for those of us suffering from asthma or other respiratory health issues, wearing a mask for extended periods of time can be very difficult if not harmful to our health. Being a glasses wearer brings with it additional problems. That being said, if you are able to wear a mask without much difficulty, please do wear one as a show of love and courtesy for others. Infants and toddlers will not be expected to wear a mask, nor anyone who cannot easily remove a mask without help. We will provide disposable masks for those who forget to bring one, however our supplies are limited so please try to remember to bring your own *, **. Obviously, we will ask you to remove your mask to receive Holy Communion.
As we regather, we will be implementing additional precautionary measures during Holy Communion.
- Those preparing and distributing the elements of Holy Communion will thoroughly wash their hands before handling the elements or the Communion vessels. They will also use new disposable gloves in the sacristy (the room where the elements are stored and prepared) during the preparation.
- I will be continuing to use a high alcohol solution on the purificator (small white linen used to cleanse the rim of the chalice between communicants), and will be switching out purificators between each group that comes forward for the Sacrament.
- For those receiving the blood of Christ from an individual cup, the cups will be continue to be arranged in a more spacious manner to allow for you to take your cup without touching other cups.
- If we come into physical contact with anyone during the distribution, the Communion assistants and I will wash our hands, or use hand sanitizer before continuing to serve others.
- We will also have a designated assistant wiping down the Communion rail between each group that comes forward.
For the time being, we will not be holding gatherings other than our Divine Services. We will resume in-person Bible Study and Sunday School as soon as state recommendations on social gathering sizes increase to sizes that will allow for unhindered participation.
We have canceled our participation in the youth and confirmation trips we were planning to attend this summer (even the ones that are still being held). We did this in order to be extra cautious. Any money given in order to support these trips will be used toward future youth and confirmation trips.
With all of this being said, nothing we do can eliminate all risk. Like the flu and the other Corona type viruses, this virus is here to stay. Vaccines will not eliminate it just as surely as the flu vaccines have not eliminated the various strains of flu.
The physical health of our members and our world is of great concern, but we live in a fallen and broken world, full of risk, disease, and death. As a pastor, my primary responsibility is to tend to the eternal wellbeing of the flock. There are many of our members who have no internet capabilities whatsoever. Many others are not tech savvy enough to stay connected online or watch the services.
The government is phasing society back into motion. The Elders and I have decided it is time we begin doing so as well. We will not be careless, but we also must not let our lives be dictated by fear. Above all we need to continue to be built up into Christ with one another through the Word and Sacraments. This is our great defense, and cure against that eternally lethal disease: sin. God is faithful. Christ is risen. We too shall arise.
As long as I live, I pray God will use me to gather others in Jesus name, so that we may live each day trusting in Christ's deliverance from sin, death and hell.
Living Forever, Now,
Pastor Michael James Grannis
*Please prayerfully consider donating one of the following items to the church in addition to your regular tithe: disposable face masks (packs of 25 or more), Disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer (refills or pumps).
**As his Eagle Scout project, Austin Watkins (one of our high school youth) has proposed to make 300 reusable masks for our congregation members to use and take home.