Updated Protocols Regarding Worship and Fellowship
Important worship changes to begin this Sunday, May 30, 2021
On May 16, the Centers for Disease Control issued updated guidance for those who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The CDC guidance includes that “Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing,” both indoors and outdoors. On May 18, Bishop Doyle provided further guidance, including permission for worship in the Diocese of Texas to return to many of its pre-pandemic norms.
At Christ Church Cathedral, this means that, beginning Sunday, May 30, the cadence of our Sunday worship will look and feel much like it did prior to the pandemic.
- We will continue to livestream services at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 5 p.m. Anyone at risk of COVID-19 or who otherwise feels more comfortable worshiping from home may continue to do so. We want you to do whatever feels safest and most comfortable to you!
- Registration for in-person worship services will no longer be required.
- Parishioners who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear masks in worship, including while singing.
- Parishioners who are fully vaccinated are not required to socially distance and may sit wherever they choose, except for the area reserved for those who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise wish to continue wearing a mask and socially distance.
- In accordance with the Bishop’s guidelines, anyone who is not fully vaccinated is expected to wear a mask while indoors. Unvaccinated people who do not wear masks do so at their own risk.
- Also in accordance with the Bishop’s guidelines, unvaccinated children older than two years old are expected to wear masks while indoors.
- Additionally, anyone who feels uncomfortable not wearing a mask, even if fully vaccinated, is encouraged to wear a mask.
- There will be a reserved section of the nave for those who wish to continue to socially distance in worship. Those who wish to sit in the socially-distanced section are encouraged to enter the nave through the east transept door, which is nearest the reserved section.
- No one should feel obligated to pass the Peace by shaking hands. The recent practice of passing the Peace with a nod or a “peace sign” is entirely acceptable.
- At 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m., parishioners will be invited to come to the altar rail to receive Communion. At The Well at 5 p.m., parishioners will be invited to come forward to stations to receive Communion.
- A priest will bring Communion to the reserved, socially-distanced section for those who do not wish to approach the altar rail.
- In accordance with the Bishop’s guidelines, we will not drink from the common cup. However, intinction (i.e. dipping the wafer in the chalice) will be permitted. It also continues to be acceptable to receive bread but not wine.
- There will be full choirs at the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. worship services. All participating choir members must be fully vaccinated.
- Childcare during worship will be available for children, infants up to three years old. Parents will sign children in at a registration table, and each child’s temperature will be checked. To preserve the safety of all children, children with fever will not be allowed to stay in the Childcare Center.
- Summer Place, our summertime coffee hour, will occur in Reynolds Hall and the Cloister. The same mask guidelines that we observe in worship will pertain to Summer Place.
A couple of additional changes will occur soon:
- On Sunday, June 6, we will resume the 8 a.m. Holy Eucharist in Golding Chapel. The same mask guidelines will pertain to the 8 a.m. service.
- Later in the summer, the Bookstore will open for business on Sundays.
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