Restarting In-Person Worship

As part of the Jesus Movement and the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, we pledge to love our neighbors and protect the most vulnerable among us, remembering our baptismal vows to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.” We live these pledges out by actively engaging in dismantling racism. For many of us, this will mean learning more about our racial identity, listening to those who have experienced racial prejudice, speaking out against racism, and showing up alongside those in our community working to change unjust systems in our society. We also live out this pledge at worship during this pandemic, by wearing face-coverings, respecting distancing guidelines, foregoing the common cup and refraining from congregational singing.

Bishop Susan Brown Snook has suspended in-person worship for the month of July. Please prepare for future outdoor, in-person worship gatherings by filling out and submitting the forms linked below. Both the bishop and the state of California have issued guidelines for in-person worship. A congregational checklist that consolidates and simplifies these guidelines can be found here.

Some counties have also issued separate guidelines and requirements, so please check your local county guidelines. Please note that San Diego County requires that a Reopening Plan be posted in a public place. The template for the plan can be found here.

The following documents are examples of guidelines for restarting our communities safely against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Find examples of approved action plans below. A ‘Restarting In-Person Worship Action Plan’ is required before hosting in-person worship gatherings in your church.