In-Person Worship Has Resumed at a New Time 10:30 a.m.
We are excited to announce that St. Paul’s has returned to in-person worship beginning at the new time of 10:30 a.m.
In order to ensure the safety of our gathering, the Reopening Task Force and Church Council have put into place COVID protocols in line with current CDC and LA County Health Department recommendations. These protocols will be constantly reviewed and revised as conditions change. Following a second service on July 18, you will be invited to provide your feedback. We want to ensure everyone is as comfortable as possible in our return to in-person worship.
Here are several new changes you should be prepared for when you return to church.
Parking
St. Paul's parking lot is now managed by AirGarage. You will see signs in the parking lot for church visitors and paid public parking. When attending worship and other events at church, you do not need to register or pay to park. If you need to park during the week, please contact the church office for a one-time registration.
Masks and physical distancing will be required at all times
Even though mask requirements have been lifted for those fully vaccinated, we recognize not all of us, especially our children, have been vaccinated and remain vulnerable to the virus. Our care for one another compels us all to continue to wear masks indoors and maintain proper physical distancing for the time being. We will maintain 6-foot seating between households in the pews and ask that everyone wear a mask at all times. The only exception to masks will be fully vaccinated worship leaders who are speaking or singing at the moment.
We will limit the time we spend indoors
Due to the poor air circulation in the building, the service will be shorter than normal. Following the service, you will be asked to immediately exit the building out the front doors where you can visit with one another on the plaza. No food or drink will be served yet but plans for a new coffee hour are underway.
We will limit the things we touch
A QR code will be provided for you to scan with your smartphone or tablet. It will open a webpage with links to the worship folder, attendance registration, Tithe.ly online giving, and prayer requests.
Peace
We will all find creative ways to share the peace without getting too close to one another!
Offering
Instead of passing the offering plates, you will be invited to drop-off your offering during the service. You may continue to mail in your offering to the church or give online through Tithe.ly. A limited number of offering envelops will be available in the narthex. If you would like a set of 2021 offering envelopes, please contact the church office.
Communion
You will have the opportunity to sanitize your hands before picking up a pre-packaged communion wafer with wine or juice, taking this back to your seat and communing there. We will introduce other forms of communion distribution as conditions permit.
Nursery
The nursery will be closed for the time being and reopen as conditions permit.
Webcast and Virtual Coffee Hour
For those who cannot be with us in person, a live YouTube webcast of the service will continue each Sunday beginning at the new time of 10:30am. The webcast will be available for viewing at any time for several weeks. The virtual coffee hour will continue on Zoom for the time being.
How do I join the webcast?
Smart phone, mobile device, or computer: just visit youtube.stpaulsantamonica.org and start the live stream from there.
Smart television: find our channel in your smart television's YouTube app by searching "St. Paul's Santa Monica" and start the live stream from there.
How do I get the latest webcast updates?