Return to Common-Space Worship and Activities
June 7, 2021 update

​Relaxing Covid restrictions – The Rector and Vestry met Monday, June 7, 2021, for a major update of Trinity’s safety protocols in view recently released guidance by our Diocese and the CDC.   Please note the following updates:
  • No advanced sign-up required for worship — As previously announced, signing up for worship in advance is no longer required and capacity for worship is increased to 50%. In short, we expect no difficulty accommodating those who wish to worship on site in the summer months
  • Masks/Outdoors – Vaccinated persons may remove masks outdoors, including during any outdoor worship services. We ask unvaccinated persons to remain masked outdoors.
  • Masks/Indoors – Masks are still necessary for everyone during indoor worship services and when moving about inside the buildings. This is out of respect for multiple users of the indoor spaces, to include TCDN (daycare) children during the week as well as worshippers on Sunday.
  • Singing — Congregational singing is now allowed at the 10am service indoors, with masks and social distancing between families. For our outdoor services, vaccinated persons may sing without masks, provided we keep to social distancing between families while singing.
  • Food — Outdoor fellowship events can now be enjoyed with provided food and drink. To avoid the “salad bar effect,” providers are asked to set up food and drink with individual servings or be available to serve.
  • Small Group gatherings — Bible studies, prayer groups, and other small groups are welcome to use the building, once space is secured through the office. However, the rector and vestry are in the process of revising guidelines for small groups, and we will need to go over them with group leaders. If interested on behalf of your group, please contact the office or just stay tuned for more information.
  • Home Visits with Communion — Lay Eucharistic visitors are now able to resume their ministry, if both provider and receiver are vaccinated. This is being coordinated under the direct supervision of the rector, with Joe German’s assistance.

February 17, 2021 update

General Guidance 
  • Everyone who comes on site, including staff, must sign in. Appointments are required to enter the church buildings at this time and until further notice. Tina, our office administrator, is still mostly working from home, but she is reachable during her usual hours for communications (9:30 – 4pm, M-F). Please contact the office (610-544-2297 or office@trinity-swarthmore.org).  
  • Other than for worship, there is a single entrance and exit to the church buildings. Sign in and out at the station just inside the double-door entrance, off the Circle Drive. This is to allow for contact tracing if necessary. 
  • Masks are to be worn on site at all times, unless you are working alone in a room with closed doors. Masks should be worn snugly around nose and face. The CDC now recommends 95-type masks or double masking to capture more particles. 
  • Physical distancing – Keep a 6-foot “bubble” around you, especially for meetings or other shared work. 
  • We have replaced air filters where possible with MERV-13 grade filters. Other ways to improve air quality include opening doors or windows for outdoor ventilation, when feasible. The overhead fans in the sanctuary and HVAC fan will be on during worship, to move air gently through the filtration system and out open doors and windows.
  • If a conversation develops with others that leads to crowding, either move to a larger space indoors or consider moving outdoors. (Organized fellowship time on Sundays will only be outdoors and as weather permits.) 
  • Remind others if you see someone or a group that has forgotten these practices. 
  • If you develop symptoms of Covid-19, please contact Fr. Ted. If you test positive for Covid-19, it is imperative that you inform him immediately, so that we can begin to ascertain exposure to others in the community and take all necessary steps.  

Worship 
Our safety protocols for worship vary somewhat depending on the service. In general:  
  • Choosing an entrance – Please follow guidance on where to enter and exit for the service you are attending. We ask that the main double doors be reserved for those with limited mobility. For those who are comfortable with the exterior steps, please use the exterior entrance (red door entrance) on the Circle Drive-side of the sanctuary. This is to avoid bunching at entrances and exits and to allow for those who may need more time to use the elevator or interior stairs. Exits will vary depending on the service, to minimize the need for cleaning of entrances and exits between 8am and 10am services. 
  • Upon entering – At the Welcome Station, attendees will be asked to report symptoms of Covid-19 or exposure to it. Those who report symptoms or recent exposure will not be able to attend worship in person. Those who are admitted will have their names recorded and be guided to a seat by an usher. Worship materials will be available at the Station, as well as hand sanitizer and a collection plate for any offerings.
  • Finding a seat – Capacity in worship is limited both by physical distancing requirements and our approved plan. Please follow the guidance of the ushers in finding a seat, either alone or with your family. Those who are living as a ‘safety group’ or ‘pod’ will be seated as a family. Please remember to practice physical distancing with the usher.
  • Singing – Currently, singing is not allowed. This is being reviewed, but please respect this guidance. Singing turns out to be one of the riskier activities to engage in together. Humming with a mask on is permitted.
  • Offertory – There will be no passing of a collection plate for offerings. The plate at the Welcome Station will be brought directly to the altar.  Online giving is also encouraged and appreciated. 
  • Holy Communion – By direction of the Bishop, sacramental reception of Holy Communion will be in the form of the bread-Host only. Please follow further instructions specific to each service.
  • Leaving and fellowship – After the dismissal, please exit the building as indicated. Clergy will be outdoors, weather permitting, to greet worshippers. Please remember to practice physical distancing and wearing a mask.
  • Instructions specific to the 8am and 10am services are or will be posted below. Copies will be available at the Welcome Station(s) each Sunday. 

Final Thoughts
​Large-group gatherings are still among the riskiest activities during the pandemic. If you are in a vulnerable group or feel at all uncomfortable about being in large groups, please do not feel pressured to return to worshipping on site. Live-streaming of the 10am service will continue. More fundamentally, God’s power to unite us even across time and space is stronger than anything that can separate us. As St. Paul says,
​             "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39).

Let’s each do our part to keep one another healthy and connected as members of Christ’s body. 
Peace and all blessings, 
Fr. Ted and The Vestry of Trinity Church, Swarthmore​

  • September 17, 2020 Message Returning to Common-Space Worship, Doodle Poll, Children & Youth Update
  • September 8, 2020 Message Vestry and Bishop Approve Plans for Return to Common-Space Worship
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