We're reopening Ives Chapel UMC for in-person worship!

After closing our doors last November in response to the worldwide pandemic, we reopened for face-to-face worship on Sunday, March 28. We are meeting in our updated sanctuary, and observing a number of changes to help people feel safe about coming together for worship.

​We want to abide by the first of John Wesley’s Three General Rules--do no harm--in all of our plans. Wesley, the founder of Methodism, sought to live by three rules that sound simple in principle but can be challenging in practice. They are to do no harm, do good and stay in love with God.

Here are some of the things we'll be doing:

• The service will be shorter than usual but will include a time of prayer and a message from Pastor Linda, along with any announcements that are needed.
• Please wear your face masks.
• We're asking you to sit in every other pew to maintain social distancing.
• Instead of passing printed bulletins, you will follow the service through information displayed on our video screen.
• We're entering the church through the front door only. The door to Fellowship Hall and the back door will remain locked to help minimize traffic through the church building.
• An offering plate will be on a stand at the back of the sanctuary and we ask that you leave your offerings before or after the service.
• Ushers will dismiss by rows to help maintain social distancing during departure.
• We will not sing hymns for now, since studies show that singing--even while wearing face masks--can spread more virus-laden particles into the air than speaking does.
• We will make further changes in our plans should they be needed.