Who knew churchgoing could be so complicated? I need a slide rule and a Geiger counter. Or something like that. It’s all very complicated.
My sense is that fervent churches tend to make room for Covid, alas. Faith beats fear.
Went to a Byzantine church today and they make limited concessions to the virus. Communion on the tongue only; I went up hoping I could receive in the hand but priest said “that’s not how we do it here” so I put my hands down and received on tongue.
No ventilation, just A/C, and the liturgy is not shortened in recognition of that - over 1 hour when I rolled.
Finally, everybody sings. A lot. Over half the service. Which makes corona happy.
On the bright side there was a limited congregation (around 40) and appropriate spacing. Still, feels riskier than St. Margaret’s but then I’m no epidemiologist.
St. Margaret’s:
Back door open for ventilation. Crowd of about 80, socially distanced. Masks worn. Communion on hand only. A 45 minute liturgy. Limited congregation singing.
Byzantine:
No ventilation. Crowd of about 40, socially distanced. 3/4ths are masked. Communion on tongue only. 1 hour liturgy. Congregation singing.
And of course the improved spiritual benefit of the Byzantine ought to outweigh the increased risk, which adds another layer of complexity to it.
Today’s hashtag is: #OverthinkingThings.
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