We have instituted guidelines for the re-opening that reflect local Health Department and Metropolis guidelines. These guidelines are in place to protect ourselves and others and to create a safe environment for worship.
In accordance with these guidelines, we will be opening St. George with a 25% of our seating capacity. This means that 35 families will be allowed in the Church. We have set up a reservation system to accommodate those who wish to attend church.
Our Parish Council and volunteer staff will be available to guide you through this re-opening. If you have any questions, please reach out to Georgia Covell and she will be happy to answer any questions.
GUIDELINES FOR ATTENDING CHURCH AT ST. GEORGE
Attending Church-Reservation System
1. Reservations are required to attend church. When we reach our maximum capacity of 35 families, we will cease to take reservations.
2. Reservations can be made:
- Online from the St George Website (http://www.stgeorgedowney.org), or
- Directly from our Eventbrite page: Click here, or
- calling Georgia Covell at 818/523-8396 or
- emailing "parishcouncil@stgeorgedowney.org"
- Reservations are on a “first come basis” and must be made by Saturday 5:00 p.m.
- Families in the same household will be allowed to sit together and will count as one reservation. At the time of the reservation, we will need to know the number of people attending the service
- Please do not come to church unless you have a reservation.
- We strongly encourage our parishioners that are 65 and over or who have underlying health conditions not to attend church services.
- If on the day you are scheduled to attend church, you experience any of the following symptoms, fever, dry-cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, please stay home to protect not only yourself but others as well.
Attending Church-Attendee Expectations
Always follow the instructions of the staff/ushers on duty. They have been trained to ensure that all rules are followed and will guide you through this process.
- A mask must always be worn. Please bring a mask with you. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided for you.
- You are to maintain a 6’ social distancing space between you and another person not from your household at all times.
- Hand Sanitizers will be available for your use prior to entering the church.
- There will be no social gatherings after the church service. When service is done, everyone should depart following usher directions.
Attending Church-Liturgy
Please arrive at church between 9:45 AM and 10:00 AM
- Upon arrival at church, you will check in at the greet and meet table where you will be checked in from a roster created by the reservation person. This roster is kept in case contact tracing is necessary.
- Hand Sanitizer will be applied by one of the volunteers so that you may enter the church and light a candle. We ask that you place your candle donation and stewardship donations in the basket provided. Please note that there will be no passing of trays nor change given at the candle stand.
- Please leave your offering in the designated tray. Digital Giving is encouraged by following this link http://stgeorgedowney.org/stewardship/
- Please venerate the icons and relics of St. George by simply doing the sign of the cross and bowing. Please do not touch or kiss the icons.
- Please do not kiss the priest’s hand, nor hug, shake hands, or kiss others.
- You will be escorted to your pew by the usher on duty. This may not be where you normally sit. Please do not move from the pew where you are placed.
- Communion-Will take place at the end of the church service
- Please follow the directions of the ushers as to traffic flow
- Practice social distancing-stay on the marked spaces on the floor
- Pick up a white napkin from the table on the solea
- Approach Father John and tip your head back so that he may tip the communion in your mouth. Please do not close your mouth over the spoon.
- Use napkin to wipe mouth and dispose of napkin in the container near the solea
- Antidoron will be placed in a small plastic bag and given at the end of the service by one of the ushers.
Church Service Schedule for the month of June
Please use the following schedule below to make reservations for the services you wish to attend.
Sunday, June 14
Sunday, June 21
Sunday, June 28
We look forward to seeing you once again! We thank you for your continued support, patience, cooperation and prayers as we gather as a family of God.