Our church is open for worship again! The safety of our congregation is still a high priority. Please join us at 10:45 on Sunday for worship. You can also visit our Facebook page every Sunday morning to view a live stream of the service.
New Guidelines for In-Person Worship and Ministry Trinity UMC
Bishop Leeland provided new guidelines (as of 05/18/2021) acknowledging one size does not fit all. Decisions appropriate for our church setting should be made by a team of shared leadership. Our vital churches are blessed with the presence of multiple generations, and regard for the vulnerable is crucial. Most services welcome children and youth, most of whom have not yet been offered a vaccine. At Trinity, we bring our children’s ministry team and your youth ministry team into our decision-making processes and protocols, in addition to our Trustees. We encourage Transition Teams to collaborate and communicate well.
The Bishop and Cabinet remain committed to our biblical mandate to “love our neighbors as ourselves” and our Wesleyan call to “do no harm.” Ministry encompasses not only worship but also fellowship events, mission activities, study groups, and age-level gatherings. The well-being of our children, youth, and vulnerable populations still needs to be considered with love and care in all areas of congregational life. Please take into consideration those who cannot be vaccinated because of age and/or pre-existing conditions when establishing safety guidelines for your local church.
1. We encourage persons to be vaccinated and respect the fact that some cannot be vaccinated because they are immunocompromised.
2. We believe it is appropriate for local churches to follow the CDC guidance and make mask wearing optional for those who have been fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated is defined as being two weeks after the last dose of the vaccine.
3. It is also very appropriate for some churches to continue to require masks for everyone knowing that some persons are not able to be vaccinated.
4. Making masks optional requires trust. Churches should consider providing caution zones where people who want to wear masks can do so.
5. We do encourage continuing to maintain social distance of three to six feet in between different households in indoor worship and fellowship activities.
6. CDC guidance also indicates that fully vaccinated persons can sing in a choral group. However, wearing masks should be recommended for congregational singing.
7. Food, snacks, and drinks should be served by masked and gloved individuals. Until the vaccination percentage increases, buffet lines are discouraged.
8. Please continue to use the NC County Alert System and County Vaccination Percentage in making decisions regarding masks, social distancing, and gathering limits.
“As we continue to receive communications and information regarding the COVID-19 virus, we are aware of the significant challenges arising on a daily basis. The virus is spreading rapidly, and there are an increasing number of cases reported throughout the state. We know the virus is highly contagious and that mitigation is possible with cautious measures.”
“It is extremely important that we slow the rate of infection in order to allow our health care services to respond appropriately. If the infection rate increases too quickly, we may not have the health care support required for everyone needing treatment.”
“With the awareness of so many who depend on our church ministries, we hope you will be mindful of the need to continue to support these ministries and those of your local church. Your prayers, presence (in spirit), gifts (including financial support), service, and witness are still important and needed to sustain and strengthen our ongoing mission.”
Trinity church members are encouraged to consider sending in your tithes and offerings as you are able, by mail, dropping off during office hours, in person, or online.
“Please take precautions to keep yourself, loved ones, congregations, and communities safe.”