Some local churches prepare to reopen while others wait

Thursday, May 7, 2020

SIKESTON — After weeks on Zoom and Facebook Live, churches in Missouri are allowed to meet in person, beginning this week. While some are taking a cautious approach and continuing their worshiping online, others are planning to meet in person Sunday, with some precautions.

Anchor Church in Sikeston will be meeting Sunday but will be making some adjustments to follow social distancing.

“We will be setting up chairs in ‘family groups,’” said Jason Davis, pastor at Anchor Church. “We will also have people waiting as guests arrive to help get them to a seat in order to keep social distancing guidelines.”

Davis said they have cleaned and sanitized the building and they will have hand sanitizer available as well.

“We will be taking communion, but we will be using individual cups and wafers that are self-contained,” Davis added. “We are not going to be having small groups in person yet, so this will still be happening on Zoom meetings.”

Tanner Street Church of God in Sikeston is also planning to meet in person Sunday.

“We have a robust service planned but it will not yet feel normal because social distancing will be strictly observed,” said the Rev. George Karl of Tanner Street. “Every other pew will be restricted (taped off) to ensure six feet distance in front and behind a worshiper. There will be six feet between family units in the pew.”

Karl said ushers will seat people from the left side to the right side of the sanctuary and bulletins will be placed in the pew to define the social distance and prevent close contact with the ushers. Offering plates will be held by the ushers on the way out so that contributions may be dropped in the plate without touching the plate.

“Our ushers will wear masks,” Karl said.

At most churches, handshaking and hugging are common practices, but are now being discouraged by church leaders.

“We will not practice any touching; no handshaking,” Karl said.

“However, we do plan on having some fun with ‘social distance greeting’ in one of the moments in our worship service.”

Fellowship Baptist Church in Sikeston reopened this week with prayer and Bible study service Wednesday night. In order to maintain social distancing, every other pew was taped off to maintain six feet of distance. Still, they will continue to offer Wednesday and Sunday services on Facebook.

Miner Baptist Church will meet in person with two worship services at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. with 200 people limited to each service. Those who are attending are asked to call the church to make a reservation. There will only be Sunday morning worship until June.

While some churches are planning to open their doors, others are continuing to be cautious. First United Methodist Church pastor Mike Wondel said in a message on Facebook they will meet online only through May.

“We’re hoping June 7 to be able to get back together in person,” Wondel said.

Other Sikeston churches like First Church of the Nazarene and the First Baptist Church will continue to have their services online for now as will local Catholic churches.

Other churches are coming up with different ways to meet and still be cautious.

“We are planning to do a drive-in service, as we do not feel it is currently safe to do in-person services in the building,” said Kenny King, co-pastor at Grace Bible Fellowship. “We are trying to maintain social distancing by strongly encouraging everyone to leave an empty space between vehicles. We’re also not passing out anything like bulletins and Lord’s Supper elements.”

Still, with Sunday being Mother’s Day, many will be worshiping either online or in person.

“I am looking forward to talking to the gathered worshipers about honoring mothers,” Karl said. “The music will be upbeat and celebrative.”

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