A Word About These Guidelines
Bishop Holston affirms these Best Practices for in-person worship and other gatherings, compiled by a team of South Carolina United Methodist pastors and laity.
This resource continues to reflect the latest guidance from public health officials, but has been updated to take into consideration that many people have now been vaccinated and will be vaccinated in the coming weeks and months.
Churches and congregations are strongly encouraged to remain vigilant in keeping themselves and each other safe and healthy until our communities are fully vaccinated.
A Word About
These Guidelines
Bishop Holston affirms these Best Practices for in-person worship and other gatherings, compiled by a team of South Carolina United Methodist pastors and laity.
This resource continues to reflect the latest guidance from public health officials, but has been updated to take into consideration that many people have now been vaccinated and will be vaccinated in the coming weeks and months.
Churches and congregations are strongly encouraged to remain vigilant in keeping themselves and each other safe and healthy until our communities are fully vaccinated.
Continue Doing This
Ongoing practices we should continue
Wearing Face Masks
Continue to require, and consider eye coverings
Social Distancing
Continue spacing individuals or households 6 feet apart
Congregational Singing
Not yet
Small Numbers
Safer than large numbers of people
Short Gatherings
Safer than long gatherings
Air
• Outside is safer than inside
• If indoors, use best filtering possible
Hand Sanitizer
Provided at all gatherings
Hand Washing
Continually encouraged
Restrooms
• Use only for emergencies
• Confined space + poor ventilation = unsafe
Indoor Fellowship Meals
Not yet
COVID-19 Vaccinations
Strongly encouraged
Flu Shots
Strongly encouraged
New Guidance
Updated practices that are recommended
Choirs
Yes, if:
• Small ensemble
• Everyone in ensemble has been fully vaccinated
• Ensemble is safely distanced from congregation
Communion
Yes, if:
• Using single-serve elements
• Maintaining 6-foot social distancing
Pew Bibles & Hymnals
Yes
Printed Bulletins
Yes
Offering
Yes:
• Ushers can take up offering
• Members can pass offering plate
Home Visits
Yes, if:
• Fully vaccinated clergy or volunteers
visit fully vaccinated parishioners
• Communion may be delivered during visits
Bible Study | Sunday School
Yes, if:
• Small groups
• Everyone in group/class has been fully vaccinated
• All should still wear masks, covering nose & mouth
Vacation Bible School
Yes, if:
• Ideally held outdoors, with activities safely spaced out
• When indoors, require masks and
observe 6-foot social distancing
After Exposure During Worship
• Those fully vaccinated may continue to attend worship
• Those not fully vaccinated should not attend following week
Continue
Doing This
Ongoing practices
we should continue
(Scroll down for
New Guidance)
Wearing
Face Masks
Continue to require,
and consider eye coverings
Social Distancing
Continue spacing individuals or households 6 feet apart
Congregational Singing
Not yet
Small Numbers
Safer than large
numbers of people
Short Gatherings
Safer than long gatherings
Air
• Outside is safer than inside
• If indoors, use best
filtering possible
Hand Sanitizer
Provided at all gatherings
Hand Washing
Continually encouraged
Restrooms
• Use only for emergencies
• Confined space + poor ventilation = unsafe
Indoor
Fellowship Meals
Not yet
COVID-19
Vaccinations
Strongly encouraged
Flu Shots
Strongly encouraged
New Guidance
Updated practices
that are recommended
Choirs
Yes, if:
• Small ensemble
• Everyone in ensemble
has been fully vaccinated
• Ensemble is safely
distanced from congregation
Communion
Yes, if:
• Using single-serve elements
• Maintaining 6-foot
social distancing
Pew Bibles & Hymnals
Yes
Printed Bulletins
Yes
Offering
Yes:
• Ushers can take up offering
• Members can pass offering plate
Home Visits
Yes, if:
• Fully vaccinated clergy
or volunteers visit fully
vaccinated parishioners
• Communion may be
delivered during visits
Bible Study | Sunday School
Yes, if:
• Small groups
• Everyone in group/class
has been fully vaccinated
• All should still wear masks,
covering nose & mouth
Vacation Bible School
Yes, if:
• Ideally held outdoors, with
activities safely spaced out
• When indoors, require masks
and observe 6-foot
social distancing
After Exposure During Worship
• Those fully vaccinated may
continue to attend worship
• Those not fully vaccinated
should not attend following week
