LYME-OLD LYME — The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme is holding a live, outdoor service at 11 a.m. this Sunday. Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church and Christ The King Church are offering in-person services, the latter with a restricted number of congregants. All three churches also offer an online option while the First Congregational Church of Lyme and the South Lyme Chapel continue with an online service this Sunday, Oct. 4.
Public attendance is now allowed at all Masses (Monday through Friday at 8 a.m.; Saturday at 5 p.m.; and Sunday at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.) in accordance with directives from the Norwich Diocese.
All who attend are required to wear face masks, use hand sanitizer, and follow social distancing guidelines.
All Masses will be live-streamed via Zoom for those who cannot come to church or are in a vulnerable population and wish to stay home..
If you are sick, have a fever, or think you may have been exposed to the Coronavirus, you are urged to stay home.
The Sunday obligation to attend Mass is still suspended.
Click here for links to participate to live-streamed Masses.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF LYME:
Reminders for church services will be sent only to those that opt in by emailing [email protected]. Email Pastor Susan Olson at [email protected] or Emily Bjornberg for the URL to view the Sept. 27 service.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF OLD LYME:
The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme will hold a live, outdoor worship service on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 11 a.m.
While recognizing that the pandemic is still ongoing, the ministers believe the local situation has changed enough to experiment with holding a live, outdoor Sunday worship service – while, of course, following public safety guidelines and using the utmost caution. So they will lead a live, outdoor service on the front lawn of the church, from the steps of the Meetinghouse.
If you wish to attend, you must call or email the church office at 860-434-8686 or [email protected] to reserve your space:
- Give your name and the number of people in your party, and indicate whether you all belong to the same household (and thus can be grouped together).
- You will be contacted to confirm your reservation.
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- Squares will be traced on the lawn with chalk, spaced 12 feet apart from each other. Individuals or families who make a reservation will receive a square to sit in during the service.
- Each square will be limited to the members of a single household; and people must remain inside their square at all times in order to maintain social distancing. You are welcome to bring a blanket or lawn chairs to sit on.
- The number of squares will be limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- If there are no open squares available, people will be welcome to stand along the sidewalk – spaced 6 ft. apart from others.
- Everyone must observe social distancing. While it may be tempting to hug or embrace those you haven’t seen for a while, that’s a temptation best resisted.
- Masks will be required. The church will have extra masks and hand sanitizer on hand for those who may need them.
- The church’s bathroom facilities will not be open.
- While the service is open to all, everyone is urged to exercise all appropriate caution and reasonable judgment about whether they personally should attend.
- The service will be filmed and made available online for those who cannot or should not be with us in person. By late Sunday night or early Monday morning, a video of the worship service will be posted on the church website, Facebook page and YouTube page – and a written version of the sermon and the Order of Worship for the service will be posted in the Virtual Meetinghouse.
In case of inclement weather, church leaders will communicate 24 hours in advance about how the Sep. 27 service will occur – that is, live and outdoors as planned, or online only.
Saint Ann’s offer one, in-person service on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. that will also be available “live” on Zoom at 9:30 a.m. Later in the day, the recorded Zoom service will be available on their Online Worship Services page.
For those who attend the 9:30 a.m. service, there will be some new traditions. Six feet social distancing, wearing of masks, and sanitizing of hands will be practiced and there will be no communion, choral music nor coffee hour.
The priest, Vestry and ushers will give guidance on procedures – there will be signs as well.
Bible Study will be offered at 11 a.m. via Zoom.
SOUTH LYME UNION CHAPEL:
Worship services are being held online at 10 a.m. each Sunday. All are welcome. Email Karen Geisler at [email protected] for connection details.
Do you know of churches in East Lyme that are open?