Guidelines For In Person Worship
The Trinitarian Congregational Parish of Castine gathers for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30 am. We hold our worship services in compliance with guidelines produced by the State of Maine for Religious Gatherings for COVID Prevention. This web page will be updated over time to reflect the most current recommendations and TCP's current practices.
On May 14, 2022, Maine Governor Janet Mills announced that most guidelines and restrictions for COVID Prevention would be relaxed, following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Under these new guidelines, fully vaccinated people would no longer need to wear face coverings or practice social distancing.
In response to these changes, the Church Council of the Main Street Church has revised church guidelines to align with the new national standards.
These revisions are outlined here:
Hybrid Worship
We will continue to offer worship in a hybrid format - with both in-person and online options - for those who are unable to or choose not to participate in in-person worship. Our services are live-streamed each Sunday on our YouTube channel - where they are also stored as recordings.
In addition, the text of each week's sermon is posted on Pastor Andi's website. We encourage all to connect with us through News & Notes, our regular weekly newsletter.
Contact the church if you need assistance with accessing any of these ministries.
The Trinitarian Congregational Parish of Castine gathers for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30 am. We hold our worship services in compliance with guidelines produced by the State of Maine for Religious Gatherings for COVID Prevention. This web page will be updated over time to reflect the most current recommendations and TCP's current practices.
On May 14, 2022, Maine Governor Janet Mills announced that most guidelines and restrictions for COVID Prevention would be relaxed, following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Under these new guidelines, fully vaccinated people would no longer need to wear face coverings or practice social distancing.
In response to these changes, the Church Council of the Main Street Church has revised church guidelines to align with the new national standards.
These revisions are outlined here:
- Effective May 24, 2022, social distancing and the wearing of face coverings will not be required for fully vaccinated persons while in the church building.
- Persons who are not fully vaccinated are asked to continue protecting themselves by practicing social distancing and wearing face masks at all times when in the church building. We will continue to provide hand sanitizer and face masks for worshippers and visitors if needed.
- The church will continue to live stream worship services on YouTube.
- Full capacity (the number of people allowed in the building at one time) has been restored at the church.
- Hymn books and pew bibles have been returned to pews for use during worship. Studies have shown that transmission of the virus on surfaces is very unlikely, especially when there is a significant time lapse between contacts.
- We have returned to the practice of singing all verses of hymns unless otherwise specified in the worship bulletin and the church choir has recently resumed singing during worship.
- We have resumed passing the offering plate during our time of offering. Offering plates are also available at the rear of the church before worship begins if you would rather drop your offering there.
- We have resumed our traditional communion practices, including the serving of bread and cup by deacons. Self-contained, sealed communion kits will also be available upon request.
Hybrid Worship
We will continue to offer worship in a hybrid format - with both in-person and online options - for those who are unable to or choose not to participate in in-person worship. Our services are live-streamed each Sunday on our YouTube channel - where they are also stored as recordings.
In addition, the text of each week's sermon is posted on Pastor Andi's website. We encourage all to connect with us through News & Notes, our regular weekly newsletter.
Contact the church if you need assistance with accessing any of these ministries.