Returning to Church 3.0
Update March 3, 2021
On December 17, 2020 the Church Council of the Trinitarian Congregational Parish of Castine voted to suspend all public worship services and gatherings following a dangerous spike in COVID cases reported in Maine. Since that suspension, the Council has been carefully monitoring the progression of the pandemic along with the development and distribution of effective vaccines against the virus. It has always been the desire of the Council to return to in-person worship at the church when it was reasonably safe to do so.
In recent weeks the new case count of those infected with the COVID virus has subsided significantly, and the administration of the ongoing vaccination program has been largely successful, especially for those over the age of 70. In light of the progress made in fighting the pandemic, the Council has agreed to return to in-person worship beginning on Sunday, March 7, 2021.
Our decision to return to worship continues to follow guidelines developed from checklists published by the State of Maine for religious gatherings. In particular, we ask worshippers to adhere to the following guidelines:
Should I Come Back to Church?
We welcome everyone at our worship services, but ask you to determine whether it is in your best health interest to do so. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have published guidelines for People Who Are at Higher Risk for Severe Illness, which we will ask you to review before you decide to come back to church.
What Will Worship Look Like?
As we emerge from the pandemic, our worship traditions will seem different, and well, they are. Our guidelines are focused on maintaining social distancing during worship and changing or eliminating traditions that might put people at risk for exposure to the virus. Here are some of the things you can expect:
What If I Choose Not to Come Back to Church?
No problem. We want everyone to feel comfortable before resuming in-person worship. We will be continuing our electronic programming for your worship and prayer needs, including these (click on the links to go to these worship resources):
Join our Zoom worship service by clicking on the link below (Sunday beginning at 9:15 am):
Click here to Zoom
You may also choose to watch this worship service on our YouTube channel:
Click here for YouTube
Contact the church if you need assistance in receiving these ministries in your home.
In recent weeks the new case count of those infected with the COVID virus has subsided significantly, and the administration of the ongoing vaccination program has been largely successful, especially for those over the age of 70. In light of the progress made in fighting the pandemic, the Council has agreed to return to in-person worship beginning on Sunday, March 7, 2021.
Our decision to return to worship continues to follow guidelines developed from checklists published by the State of Maine for religious gatherings. In particular, we ask worshippers to adhere to the following guidelines:
- All worshippers are expected to wear appropriate face coverings at all times when inside the church building;
- Social distancing is still important, and we expect worshippers to maintain at least six feet of separation from other worshippers (family units may sit together in worship).
- Following worship, we ask worshippers to leave the church building without lingering inside to visit.
Should I Come Back to Church?
We welcome everyone at our worship services, but ask you to determine whether it is in your best health interest to do so. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have published guidelines for People Who Are at Higher Risk for Severe Illness, which we will ask you to review before you decide to come back to church.
What Will Worship Look Like?
As we emerge from the pandemic, our worship traditions will seem different, and well, they are. Our guidelines are focused on maintaining social distancing during worship and changing or eliminating traditions that might put people at risk for exposure to the virus. Here are some of the things you can expect:
- There is a gathering limit of 50 persons for all services and programs. We don’t expect to hit that limit, but if we do, deacons may divert people to the vestry for social distancing.
- We won’t be shaking hands or exchanging hugs during our greetings. Our goal is to maintain a distance of at least six feet between everyone, even as we gather and disperse.
- We will ask you to wear a face covering at all times when inside the church. If you don’t have a face covering, we’ll try to provide one for you.
- As you come into the church, we’ll direct you to hand sanitizer just before you take your seat, and we’ll give you a worship bulletin in what we call a no-contact manner.
- We’ve closed off half of our pews in order to promote social distancing. Family groups can sit together without distancing. Deacons can help seat you if this seems confusing.
- You will find that hymnals, bibles, and other high-touch items have been removed from pews. We encourage you to bring your own bible to worship. We’ll try to keep supplies of offering envelopes available for you in the back of the church.
- Music is an important part of our worship experience, but we are aware that congregational singing can increase the spread of aerosolized droplets that can carry the virus. We will include and play our hymns and responses as an important part of worship, and we’ll publish lyrics for your reflection. Singing along is permissible with face coverings in place. The choir will rehearse and sing following specific guidelines provided by Maine DECD.
- Some of our windows will be open during worship, so it might be just a bit chilly. You might want to dress for the weather.
- We won’t be passing offering plates during worship. Offering plates will be located at the back of the sanctuary, and we’ll ask that you drop off your offering as you pass that area.
- In the same way, we won’t be passing communion elements during services of communion. We have a new way of serving, and we’ll tell you more about that on communion Sundays.
- Our restroom in the vestry will be open for use. While we will use stringent cleaning protocols before worship, we cannot provide disinfection between uses during worship services. We will provide supplies and instructions to help people protect themselves when using our facilities.
- Following worship, we’ll ask people to maintain social distancing and wear face coverings while they leave the building and church property. Please feel free to greet friends and neighbors, but delay long conversations until you are outside and away from the building. We will continue to suspend our fellowship time until the pandemic eases further.
What If I Choose Not to Come Back to Church?
No problem. We want everyone to feel comfortable before resuming in-person worship. We will be continuing our electronic programming for your worship and prayer needs, including these (click on the links to go to these worship resources):
- Live services broadcast over the Zoom platform and simultaneously on our YouTube channel.
- Our Weekly Podcast (recordings of Sunday worship services);
- Our Sermon Blogs are also posted weekly in both written and recorded formats;
- News & Notes, our regular weekly newsletter; and
- Our Facebook page contains regular postings and information.
Join our Zoom worship service by clicking on the link below (Sunday beginning at 9:15 am):
Click here to Zoom
You may also choose to watch this worship service on our YouTube channel:
Click here for YouTube
Contact the church if you need assistance in receiving these ministries in your home.
Trinitarian Congregational Parish of Castine
PO Box 108, 68 Main Street
Castine, Maine 04421
(207) 326-9486
info@tcpoc.org
Rev. Tim Hall, Pastor and Teacher
(207) 326-1008 (home)
(207) 991-4645 (cell)
trhall@tcpoc.org
PO Box 108, 68 Main Street
Castine, Maine 04421
(207) 326-9486
info@tcpoc.org
Rev. Tim Hall, Pastor and Teacher
(207) 326-1008 (home)
(207) 991-4645 (cell)
trhall@tcpoc.org
Welcome!
We are the Trinitarian Congregational Parish of Castine.
Long name, isn't it? Well, our title is steeped in the history of our congregation. Let's start out by saying that we are a traditional Protestant church, founded in the New England Congregational tradition in 1820 in Castine, Maine. Our church building was constructed and dedicated in 1829 on Main Street in the village, and has been active ever since -- sometimes in federation with other Castine churches, and sometimes alone. We are a church with Reformed roots, descending directly from the Puritans who brought their faith and practices across the sea from England. And today, we maintain a relationship with other churches with histories similar to our own.
We are located at 68 Main Street in Castine, Maine, a small town in Mid coast Maine and home of the Maine Maritime Academy. Our people are friendly and welcoming, our faith is alive and enthusiastic, and our mission is loving and serving.
Please take some time to explore our site and get to know us. Better yet, help us to get to know you. You are welcome here.
Long name, isn't it? Well, our title is steeped in the history of our congregation. Let's start out by saying that we are a traditional Protestant church, founded in the New England Congregational tradition in 1820 in Castine, Maine. Our church building was constructed and dedicated in 1829 on Main Street in the village, and has been active ever since -- sometimes in federation with other Castine churches, and sometimes alone. We are a church with Reformed roots, descending directly from the Puritans who brought their faith and practices across the sea from England. And today, we maintain a relationship with other churches with histories similar to our own.
We are located at 68 Main Street in Castine, Maine, a small town in Mid coast Maine and home of the Maine Maritime Academy. Our people are friendly and welcoming, our faith is alive and enthusiastic, and our mission is loving and serving.
Please take some time to explore our site and get to know us. Better yet, help us to get to know you. You are welcome here.
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Bells Across America
On October 6, 2013, members of the Castine Fire Department rang the historic 1867 church bell in remembrance of fallen firefighters. The ceremony was part of Bells Across America, sponsored by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Click on the controls below the photo to hear our bell.
Office Hours
The church office is generally open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am to noon. Pastor Tim is scheduled to work Sunday through Thursday, with Fridays and Saturdays scheduled as days off. If you'd like to schedule a time for a visit, either at the church office or in the community, please feel free to contact Pastor Tim to arrange a convenient time.
Church Office: (207) 326-9486
Church Office: (207) 326-9486
