Local churches open parking lots, doors, as restrictions lift

With restrictions lifted and churches now meeting once more, area congregations have opted for a variety of new ways to meet.

In Fairfield, the First United Methodist Church has experimented with a drive-in service. Rev. Beth Harbaugh said the idea came about after the decision was made that the church would not open until June 1.

'There are a lot of churches in Fairfield that started back on Mother's Day but we did not,” she said.

Harbaugh said the church usually has one service on Saturday and one on Sunday to serve the 450 members of the church. However, due to a large population of elderly, the church did not feel it was safe to meet in person.

Instead, a drive-in service was started. Members arrived in private vehicles, making social distancing easier to accomplish. Those who wished to be outside had designated X's to congregate in at a safe social distance, she said.

All members and church organizers were in masks, Harbaugh said, and the service was broadcast live on Facebook as well as the radio.

'We have had our worship service on the radio for more than 40 years,” she said.

According to Harbaugh, about 60 people attended the service and a news release from the church has confirmed it will continue again this Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

In Mt. Pleasant, Pastor Monte Knudsen of Faith Christian Outreach Church said the congregation began with drive-in services but reopened for in-person services on May 17. Despite having 600 members in attendance for the two services held every Sunday, Knudsen said it was not too difficult to establish safe practices.

'It's pretty easy because of the two service schedule,” he said. The sanctuary has 430 chairs but staff took out 150 to accommodate the 50 percent capacity rule. The overflow area was also opened to help members social distance properly. 'It's worked great for people to keep a distance.”

Knudsen said a minimum of two chairs must be kept between people, but most members are opting for three. A multipurpose room also has been made available with a live-feed available in case the sanctuary and over flow spaces are too full to accommodate more guests.

'We haven't had any problems with it really. It's gone great to very good since (reopening) so we are happy about it,” he said.