Sunday In-Person Worship
Guidelines and Registration
St. Martin's is delighted to announce that we have received permission from Bishop Stokes and the Diocese of New Jersey to resume in-person worship beginning July 12, 2020. St. Martin's has drafted a plan so we can worship safely during the reality of the ongoing pandemic. Below is a summary of the guidelines. Please remember that these guidelines are in place out of love for one another and are not permanent. As the situation changes regarding the pandemic, our guidelines will change.
Unable to join in person? Our online worship will continue in our virtual chapel each week.
1. To maintain social distancing, we will primarily be using our Chapel in the Trees (outdoor chapel).When the weather dictates, we will gather in parish hall. The layout of pews in the nave of the sanctuary space does not allow for distancing. As a result, we will unfortunately be unable to worship in our main worship space at this time.
2 . While we are able to have outdoor gatherings of up 250 according to the guidelines of the Diocese of New Jersey (which will be no problem for the average size of our Sunday attendance), we can only accommodate 25-32 persons in the parish hall, depending on the number of people from the same household who are able to sit next to each other.
3. When worshiping outdoors, all are asked to bring a lawn chair with them. An usher will assist you in setting up your chair in our Chapel in the Trees. Thanks to the generous support of a number of parishioners, we have a 20 by 40 ft. tent to accommodate a sizable gathering. When worshiping in the parish hall, you will be directed by the ushers to church-provided folding chairs. In both cases, worshipers/families will be spaced 6 ft. apart from one another.
4. You must bring a mask with you to worship. If on the off chance you forget, we will have some available. Please note, however, that supplies are limited. Please do your part and bring your own mask with you. We will have hand sanitizer available (especially during the Eucharist), but again it does not hurt to bring extra for yourself.
5. Since we are wearing masks, and to prevent the spread of respiratory droplets, we will not be having a choir and congregational singing at this time. Our worship will still maintain the same level of reverence and joy, but will be more contemplative in nature. All worship materials will be disposable and provided for you before the service begins.
6. Rather than shaking hands during the Passing of the Peace, you are invited to another gesture (such as wave, make a peace sign, or bow) rather than shake hands.
7. The Eucharist will be received through the bread alone, with the altar party bringing the elements to communicants in their seats to minimize movement of the entire congregation. The deacon will spray your hand with hand sanitizer, while the priest administers the bread. Think of it this way...rather than you going to receive the Lord, the Lord will come to meet you where you are! Of course, no one is obligated to receive the sacrament. If you feel uncomfortable, you can pray the Prayer for Spiritual Communion in your bulletin or cross your arms over your chest to receive a blessing.
8. The worship area and single-use bathrooms will be sanitized after every use. Disinfecting wipes will be provided in the bathroom, and we ask that you wipe down the surfaces when done.
9. We love coffee hour, but unfortunately we cannot offer it at this time.
Registration
Registration is required in order to attend worship. Registration allows us to project how many will be in attendance on Sunday. You must resister each member of you party who plans on being in attendance and provide the requested information. Upon arrival at the church, you are asked to check in with the usher. Registration will open 10 a.m. Monday and close at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. We unfortunately cannot guarantee that we will have space for visitors who do not register.
Indoors or Outdoors?
A decision about indoor or outdoor worship will be made by 7:00 p.m. Saturday. If we must move indoors, we may unfortunately have to decline some registrations. In that case, those who sign up earliest will be admitted. If we must meet indoors multiple weeks in a row, those unable to join the previous week will have priority seating.
Please register by completing the form below or by calling the church office at 609-261-4882.
Unable to join in person? Our online worship will continue in our virtual chapel each week.
1. To maintain social distancing, we will primarily be using our Chapel in the Trees (outdoor chapel).When the weather dictates, we will gather in parish hall. The layout of pews in the nave of the sanctuary space does not allow for distancing. As a result, we will unfortunately be unable to worship in our main worship space at this time.
2 . While we are able to have outdoor gatherings of up 250 according to the guidelines of the Diocese of New Jersey (which will be no problem for the average size of our Sunday attendance), we can only accommodate 25-32 persons in the parish hall, depending on the number of people from the same household who are able to sit next to each other.
3. When worshiping outdoors, all are asked to bring a lawn chair with them. An usher will assist you in setting up your chair in our Chapel in the Trees. Thanks to the generous support of a number of parishioners, we have a 20 by 40 ft. tent to accommodate a sizable gathering. When worshiping in the parish hall, you will be directed by the ushers to church-provided folding chairs. In both cases, worshipers/families will be spaced 6 ft. apart from one another.
4. You must bring a mask with you to worship. If on the off chance you forget, we will have some available. Please note, however, that supplies are limited. Please do your part and bring your own mask with you. We will have hand sanitizer available (especially during the Eucharist), but again it does not hurt to bring extra for yourself.
5. Since we are wearing masks, and to prevent the spread of respiratory droplets, we will not be having a choir and congregational singing at this time. Our worship will still maintain the same level of reverence and joy, but will be more contemplative in nature. All worship materials will be disposable and provided for you before the service begins.
6. Rather than shaking hands during the Passing of the Peace, you are invited to another gesture (such as wave, make a peace sign, or bow) rather than shake hands.
7. The Eucharist will be received through the bread alone, with the altar party bringing the elements to communicants in their seats to minimize movement of the entire congregation. The deacon will spray your hand with hand sanitizer, while the priest administers the bread. Think of it this way...rather than you going to receive the Lord, the Lord will come to meet you where you are! Of course, no one is obligated to receive the sacrament. If you feel uncomfortable, you can pray the Prayer for Spiritual Communion in your bulletin or cross your arms over your chest to receive a blessing.
8. The worship area and single-use bathrooms will be sanitized after every use. Disinfecting wipes will be provided in the bathroom, and we ask that you wipe down the surfaces when done.
9. We love coffee hour, but unfortunately we cannot offer it at this time.
Registration
Registration is required in order to attend worship. Registration allows us to project how many will be in attendance on Sunday. You must resister each member of you party who plans on being in attendance and provide the requested information. Upon arrival at the church, you are asked to check in with the usher. Registration will open 10 a.m. Monday and close at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. We unfortunately cannot guarantee that we will have space for visitors who do not register.
Indoors or Outdoors?
A decision about indoor or outdoor worship will be made by 7:00 p.m. Saturday. If we must move indoors, we may unfortunately have to decline some registrations. In that case, those who sign up earliest will be admitted. If we must meet indoors multiple weeks in a row, those unable to join the previous week will have priority seating.
Please register by completing the form below or by calling the church office at 609-261-4882.