Fox Chapel’s Faith United Methodist Church returns to Zoom worship as covid-19 cases rise
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After a brief reopening of in-person services at Faith United Methodist Church in Fox Chapel, leaders have decided to take a pause until covid-19 cases start to decline.
Services resumed at the West Chapel Ridge Road site on June 28 for one week, just before Allegheny County started to see a sharp increase in local virus cases.
On July 12, the county Health Department reported 200 new covid-19 cases, bringing the total to 4,962 cases since the first ones were reported in March.
Pastor Scott Shaffer said that despite parishioners having to wear masks and social distance, he felt it was best to resume Zoom worship for at least the next few weeks.
“We have not yet determined when it may be safe to resume in-person (services),” he said, adding that church staff is available to connect by social media, phone or online services.
Even during the one week that on-site worship was held, Shaffer said it looked a little different than usual with outdoor seats placed 6 feet apart and hand sanitizer at the ready.
There was no hand-shaking, hugging or communion.
Some parishioners chose to remain in their cars during the service.
Shaffer said those guidelines will remain upon the second return to make sure everyone feels comfortable.
Even then, services will continue to be livestreamed for anyone who wants to watch from home.
“We know it will be a long time until our entire congregation is able to safely return to in-person worship,” he said.