In-Person Worship Services

Dear St. Johns’ Parish Family,

As most of you know, Governor Abbott has recently announced a plan to slowly phase out several of the stay-at-home policies. Included are that churches are considered “essential” and can be reopened under some strict guidelines. Bishop Reed and the Diocese of Fort Worth have directed that several policies will be continued through the end of May and St. John’s will certainly adhere to these as we reopen our doors for worship.

After significant research and consultation, St. John’s will offer Masses and weekday Morning Prayer for those who wish to attend in person beginning this Sunday, May 10. This will include both the 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning Eucharists, the 6:00 p.m. Wednesday evening Eucharist, and Holy Day Eucharists with the following criteria for in-person worship:

1. If you are over 65 years of age and/or have a chronic medical condition, you may consider continuing to worship through the live-streaming capabilities as provided during the pandemic. We will continue to live-stream the 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning Eucharist and the 6:00 p.m. Wednesday evening Eucharist.

2. If you or anyone in your home is feeling ill, please do not come to the church.

3. Enter the church through the front door (red doors on main street) or the
back door (accessibility ramp). The door to the Parish Hall will not be open
and the Parish Hall should only be used for use of the restroom.

4. Face masks are strongly encouraged. If you do not have your own, disposable
ones will be provided upon entry into the church.

5. Use the hand-sanitizer stations at each door upon entry into the church and
limit surfaces you touch.

6. For us to safely gather in groups, we will have to maintain physical distancing
by household. Alternating pews will be needed to achieve this and will be
marked accordingly.

7. Bulletins will be provided which include the entire service, therefore the use of
prayer books and hymnals will not be necessary.

8. Please do not shake hands or hug at the exchange of the peace. Just a simple
head nod or gesture of your choice would be great!

9. The offering plate will not be passed, but will be placed on the window sills in
the front of the nave.

10. Communion will be with the bread only and will be administered at two
communion stations in the standing posture. This will eliminate touching the altar rail and will allow us to maintain the appropriate spacing. At the time of communion, the ushers will direct parishioners individually and/or as families to receive the host and you will return to your pew thereafter, maintaining distance. The clergy will take the correct steps to avoid contamination.

11. At the conclusion of the Mass, the ushers will dismiss parishioners on an aisle by aisle basis, where we will exit the building.

While we are certainly excited about this opportunity to gather and worship together, we all recognize that this is not service “as usual.” So, please understand

that without these criteria for in-person worship, we would not be able to come together at all. Obviously we are still limiting social encounters so all classes and social events are still suspended until at least June.
We also understand the anxiety that some will feel about returning to a crowded space. Please contact the clergy and allow us to make arrangements for you to receive communion if you do not wish to attend at this time.
Please continue to pray for all healthcare workers and those touched by this disease. Know that we are praying for you also.
Yours in Christ,

Fr. Michael Mobley
Fr. Spencer Stubblefield Dr. Tom Byrd
Dr. Roy Byrd
Dr. James Hayes