Reid Chapel Re-Enters Sanctuary
On Sunday, June 20, 2021 at 10 AM Reid Chapel AME will reenter it’s sanctuary for the first time since March 2020. It has been 13 months since we last worshipped together in person. Thinking about it is overwhelming and encouraging all at the same time. COVID-19 did disrupt the world and the nation and our lives. When we re-enter the sanctuary many of us will begin to feel all that has changed in the past 13 months. Many have lost loved ones, jobs, relationships, income and community since we last worshipped together. However through the grace of God we have overcome and made it.
Safety First
When we re-renter we want everyone to know that we will be following all of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) COVID-19 restrictions and protocols. We will have routine temperature checks upon entrance to the sanctuary, masks will be worn at all times, 6 feet social distancing will be required and there will be dedicated entrance and exits that we use. Along with those protocols, our worship service will look a little different. Service will last for 1 hour (unless the spirit says otherwise), bulletins will be in digital format and emailed and our choirs will look a differently. What you have seen via the church broadcasts will resemble what music will look like on Sunday morning. As we prepare to return to our sanctuary lets make sure we are also preparing ourselves spiritually.
The Importance of Community
One of the things I am most cognizant about is the fact that our separation may have impacted our spiritual lives. After our confession of faith and belief in Jesus the Christ for our redemption, fellowship is the most aspect of our faith. The new age movement says that we can be saved but not in church but the Christian faith is predicated on fellowship and growing together in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior.
Spiritual Readiness
As we prepare to re-enter lets make sure we are ready spiritually by participating in a fast that will help us re-engage relationships that may have fallen off while we were separated from each other. While we did stay connected through technology, being in person creates another dynamic that pushes the envelope of interpersonal relationships. Being behind a computer screen for the last 13 months has definitely affected how we speak to each other and engage each other. Most people won’t feel it until they are around each other.
The fast begins today and we will continue to eat regular meals as we normally do the entire week but on Thursday we will begin only drinking water.
Instructions for the Fast
June 1-5 Regular Meals but Water Only Mat. 6:25-34
June 6-12 Regular Meals but Water Only Mat. 8:23-27
June 13-19 Regular Meals but Water Only & No Sweets Mat. 9:18-26
June 20-26 Regular Meals but Water Only & No Sweets Mat. 14:22-33
June 27-July 2 Fruit, Vegetables and Poultry no Red Meat Luke 17:11-19
Each week we ask that everyone meditate on the scripture for the week. Read it several times each day. By doing this the scripture will become apart of you and permeate every facet of your ebing. This will help us get ready to re-enter our beloved and sacred place of corporate worship at Reid Chapel. Let’s prepare ourselves and see you on Sunday, June 20, 2021 at 10 AM.
As it has been mentioned, it will feel different re-entering the church building but the church is and shall ever be in me,where the Holy spirit abideth in. I look forward to being among my church family in-person, as we adhere to the new COVID-19 protocol.
Peace and blessings