New Hope Brunswick

In order to protect the safety of our congregation and our community, we will only offer indoor worship if the seven-day rolling average of new COVID-19 cases in Frederick County is below 10 cases per 100,000 residents on the Wednesday prior to a service. This information is readily available at covidactnow.org (if we are over the 10/100,000 threshold, our county will be color-coded red or orange). If we are able to offer indoor worship, an email with information about how to make a reservation will be sent on Wednesday morning before 10:00 am. 

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The worship planning team and Administrative Council have been working diligently to plan for returning to worship in our sanctuary in ways that are safe for all attendees. As we navigate these uncharted waters, we ask for your grace and flexibility. If you have any questions or desire more information, please don't hesitate to contact the church office. 

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Services will alternate between traditional and contemporary styles. In order to leave adequate time for the sanctuary to ventilate, we will offer only one worship service each week. The style will alternate between traditional and contemporary. Services will begin at 10:00 am. We will share Holy Communion twice each month - once at each style of worship service. A blended video service will continue to be available each week. 

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Reservations will be required. In order to maintain appropriate social distance between households, attendance at each service will be limited. Reservations can be made by clicking here, or by calling the church office. Reservations will be available each Wednesday at 10:00 am. There is a waitlist. Those on the waitlist will be given priority for the next service of the same worship style. 

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Safety precautions will be enforced. Please understand that not following these precautions may result in your being asked to leave the service. 

• The doors will remain closed until 10 minutes prior to the service; please only enter the building at the invitation of a greeter. The only entrance will be through the side doors (near the office suite). While waiting outdoors, please maintain social distance. 

• Screening questions regarding COVID-19 infection will be asked as you enter the building. If you have known exposure or are feeling unwell, do not attend the service. 

• In case of need for contact tracing, we will be tracking attendance at each service. 

• Face masks covering nose and mouth must be worn indoors at all time. This is Maryland state law at this time. Children under age 5 do not need to wear a mask. 

• Social distance of at least six feet must be maintained between households at all times. Households will remain together for the duration of the service. At this time, we cannot provide nursery care or children's Sunday School, but we hope to be able to offer them in the near future. 

• The worship service will be abbreviated, lasting 30 minutes or less. 

• To help prevent the spread of aerosols which can carry the virus, there will be no singing as part of the service. Read more about the dangers of singing related to COVID-19 here. There will be instrumental and/or prerecorded music for reflection. 

• When the service is over, attendees will be dismissed by row. If you would like to have a time of fellowship with other attendees, we ask that you do so outdoors.