By Lina Wu
Houses of worship like churches, temples, and mosques can reopen at 25 percent capacity, announced Gov. Andrew Cuomo this past weekend.
Houses of worship will be able to reopen at reduced capacity and with other restrictions as a part of phase two. The Mid Hudson Region reopened at phase two this past Tuesday.
This past Monday, Orange County had 10,609 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 467 deaths from the virus. New Windsor had 854 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The City of Newburgh had 1,493 cases of COVID-19. The Town of Newburgh had 730 cases of COVID-19.
Although the Gardnertown United Methodist Church doesn’t plan on physically reopening this week, its doors never really closed to worshippers. Like other houses of worship, the church moved its services online.
The church is not permitted to open until it’s certified by the New York Annual Conference, said Rev. Jessica Anschutz. The conference is a regional unit of United Methodist churches and people.
The conference has created guidelines for reopening. Each church in the conference has to follow the guidelines. She said the reopening process has been initiated but has not been completed. When it is completed, the Gardnertown United Methodist Church’s doors will physically open to visitors.
All plans for cleaning and the church’s space have to be submitted to the conference’s district superintendent. The church has to be granted approval. When approved for reopening the church will be given a certificate to verify the approval to reopen.
One guideline encourages worshippers over 65 years of age to stay home and participate in services via the internet. Those with pre-existing health conditions are encouraged to do the same.
“The reality is, at least at Gardnertown, that a significant part of our population falls into either or both of those categories,” said Anschutz. “Even though the possibility exists that we can reopen, it may not be in the best interest of our parishioners.”
Anschutz said the church’s goal is to get the certificate, but they still may choose not to physically reopen immediately. Even with the physical reopening, the church still plans to stream services. She said the church’s goals include having adequate technology for streaming. Currently services are being streamed from Anschutz’s home.
In the City of Newburgh, the Hudson Valley Christian Church is excited to reopen.
“We were devastated,” said Vanessa Vanderveer, church secretary, over the initial closure. “People need church. We knew it would affect a lot of people. Even just getting out and being with other people is so important.”
Like Gardnertown United Methodist Church, the Hudson Valley Christian Church has also been operating online.
“It’s been difficult to get together, but we’ve done online prayer,” said Vanderveer. “We have our meetings on Youtube. So people can’t come, at least they can see us and see the pastor preaching. The office has been open on limited hours, so if there’s a need they can call. We’re still doing the food pantry every week.”
The church will physically reopen this week with safety precautions in place like, face masks, social distancing, and hand sanitizer. Since the church has a small congregation, 25 percent will most likely be only 25 people for each service.
“I’m just grateful this is passing and we’re going into a new phase,” said Vanderveer. “Thank God.”
Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish of Newburgh opened its doors to weekday masses beginning Tuesday, and Friday announced that weekend masses would resume on June 14. The Sunday mass schedule is as follows:
- Saturday evening, June 13th, 4pm at Saint Francis and 5:30PM at Sacred Heart.
- Sunday, June 14th, 8:30AM at Saint Francis, 10AM and 12 Noon at Sacred Heart and 1:30 PM (Spanish) at Saint Francis.
Worshippers are asked to please enter through the main doors of both churches only and please wear a mask and bring your own hand sanitizer.
"We are permitted to have 25% of occupancy as the maximum number of people per mass," writes Fr. Bill Damroth, pastor. " If we exceed that number please understand the ushers may politely ask that you attend the next mass. The pews have all been marked indicating safe distance seating. We appreciate everyone's patience as we all navigate together through this new process."
St. Patrick’s- St. Mary’s - Our Lady of the Lake Parish is also preparing to open on a limited basis. On Wednesday, June 10, there will be a Spanish Mass at 6:30 p.m. at Saint Patrick’s Church. On Thursday, daily English masses will begin at 8 a.m. at Saint Patrick’s. Weekend masses are scheduled to resume on June 20-21 at St. Patrick's Church on Grand Street, with English masses on Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 7:30 and 10:30 a.m. Spanish masses will take place Satuyeday at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m. and noon
Everyone at St. Patrick's will be required to wear a mask and gloves. There will be no books, missalettes or bulletins and no singing.