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We at First Church have been tracking the news of the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus, and likely you have been, too. The headlines describing upticks in cases around the country, and even here in Massachusetts, reflect the sober reality that we are not yet free of this pandemic.

Back in June, we released our plan for the fall, including:

• Hybrid Worship
• In-person Church School during Hybrid Worship
• Remote Christian Formation programs at 9:30 a.m.

We invited church leaders and other interested folks to sign up to attend Summer Worship in-person to acclimate and to assist us by offering feedback as we prepare to open our doors on Regathering Sunday, September 12.  Thus far, we have welcomed up to a dozen people in the pews each Sunday in July, and we have received valuable feedback and suggestions for improving the hybrid experience.

At this time, we continue to prepare for the transition into our fall reopening as described in the First Church Reopening Plan, including the hybrid structure of our Sunday morning schedule and the practical and theological considerations we’ve articulated, such as:

We believe in science.
We will follow CDC guidelines and city/state protocols for masking/distancing. Because we are a multigenerational community, we may take a more conservative stance. 

We are called by God to offer a radical welcome to all.
We strive to be accessible to all: in-person and remote, cautious and venturesome, local and afar. We are improving our technology in order to offer a similar experience of worship and programs, no matter where you are. 

We are grateful to be walking this journey with you, and we welcome your input and feedback as we navigate the path forward.

Peace and blessings,
Dan Smith and the First Church Staff

P.S. If you would like to attend 10:00 a.m. Summer Worship in-person to provide feedback and input for our reopening plans, please sign up here.