With the drop in infection rates in Palmer and many surrounding towns, the Re-Opening Committee has decided to offer a return to in-person worship in our sanctuary. The guidelines will be the same as before, but here is a partial repeat of the information that came out prior to our re-opening in September.
*Space is limited and reservations must be made. Please call Marsha Piepho at 413/245-1111 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Marsha will confirm if seating is available when you call and will ask for your phone number in the event we need to do contact-tracing.
*If for any reason in-person worship needs to be cancelled too late to be announced in worship the Sunday before, you will be called if your name is on the reservation list.
*Masks are required for everyone above the age of 2, and in case you forget, masks will be available at the church. If possible, please consider double-masking. Hand-sanitizer will also be available.
*If you suspect you have been exposed to anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 or exhibit any of the symptoms (fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea), please do NOT come to church.
*You will be escorted to your pew in order of arrival, and the bulletins will be on the seats. On communion Sundays, the miniature cups will also be on the pews when you arrive. You will depart from the sanctuary starting with the back pews, under the guidance of the ushers.
*Please maintain six feet of distance at all times. There will be no hand-shaking or hugging, although waves and smiles are welcome!
*Keep your mask on during worship. Leave your offering in the plates at the back of the sanctuary. There will be no singing except by soloists.
*There will be no Fellowship Hour.
*If someone becomes ill with COVID-19, please contact Rev. Bruce at 283-5206, and he will contact the Palmer Board of Health.
*The same cleaning protocols in the sanctuary before and after worship will be taken care of by the Re-Opening Committee.
*Services will continue on MPACT, Facebook, and 97.7FM/1250AM as they have been for the last year. (Yes, folks, it’s been a whole year of pandemic closing/opening/closing/opening.)