What ‘normal’ looks like for local churches

Looking back to March of this year, the pandemic had began to disrupt normal life in nearly every way.
Church services and gatherings were forced to go a different direction in serving community members with their faith.
Now, since Chase County has moved into Phase 4, churches are settling into new normals of balancing worship and church activities while staying mindful of safety precautions.
Some of the pastors in town have shared comments on what the new normal in their churches has become.
Pastor Deb Copple of the First United Methodist Church said the church services are returning to normal in most ways except people are spacing themselves in the sanctuary.
“Folks are taking it upon themselves to use social distancing during services as well as taking home anything they bring into the church,” Pastor Copple said.
Pastor Matt Maxwell of the Imperial Berean Church said parishioners are making their own choices when it comes to social distancing.
Pastor Robby Clay of Imperial Bible Church, Pastors Maxwell and Copple all commented that they felt people were being wise when attending church services and following safety practices on their own.
Extra cleaning and sanitizing has been implemented for some time now, and most bulletins and other informational handouts are positioned for parishioners to pick up themselves rather than having it handed to them, said Pastor Copple.
In fact, some churches have sanitizing stations within the church building.
Minimizing the need to touch things others have touched is now a common practice in nearly all churches in town, according to their pastors.
Taking advantage
of technology
Pastor Copple said the church has purchased better quality technology so as to offer a better experience online for those who still don’t feel comfortable leaving home to attend worship.
“We needed to step up our game and provide more choices for people’s faith-life. It is awesome that we can offer a variety of ways to deepen their personal relationship with Christ,” Copple said.
Services will continue being available via live-stream, she said,  and so will bible classes on Zoom.
“We are prepared to back off on live services, if needed, if things change with the pandemic, but still offer a good worship experience online,” she added.
“We are adapting to a new way of going forward,” Copple said.
Live-stream services are also available at other churches in town.
Fr. Lothar Gilde at St. Patrick Catholic Church has, and will continue to stream, services on their Facebook page, he said.
“For other precautions, we are keeping the singing to a minimum, and I no longer have alter boys or other assistants for prayers except for readers. We have added a second Sunday morning mass at 8 a.m. to thin out the number of people who attend,” Fr. Gilde said.

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