MCC Executive Dir. Jane Field appeared on WGME channel 13 news to discuss Gov Mills’ release on Friday of guidelines for churches who wish to resume in-person worship inside their buildings.
PORTLAND (WGME) – Governor Mills announced late Friday that churches and places of worship can start holding services again, starting May 29, but with new rules in place.
Gov. Mills releases prevention checklist for religious gatherings
Faith leaders are grateful and appreciative, but many congregations still won’t meet for several weeks or even months, despite being allowed to do so, out of fear for their members contracting COVID-19.
Some of the major points houses of worship have to abide by to let services go on include:
- 50 person limit
- Face masks
- 6 feet between non-family
- Major changes to rituals
Things like communion or coffee hour can’t happen. Maine Council of Churches Director Jane Field says lots of Protestant churches won’t be having choir or singing until there’s a vaccine.
“Church without singing, church without coffee hour, church without communion, church without hugging, Church without handshaking,” Field said. “It’s not worship anymore for many people. We’re getting so much more out of online experiences.”
Field says churches can proceed how they want as of May 29 on whether to hold service, but many of the membership say they still won’t hold service for some time.
We’re still waiting to learn how Catholic churches will proceed.
