"The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." --Frederick Buechner
Re-Opening Task Force / February 2021 Update
Due to the current and continued spike in Covid-19 infectious rates and hospitalizations, the Re-Opening Task Force recommended to the Session that PCEI continue with no in person services or meetings through the Lenten season. The Task Force will reconvene on February 25, 2021 to re-examine the data. At that time the Task Force will make a recommendation concerning Holy Week activities and beyond.
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Re-Opening Task Force / December 2020 Update
The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges. These challenges have no perfect solutions. Our church, town, state, and nation have been challenged with the realest health crisis in over 100 years. A consensus among us is a desire to return to normal. Yet this pandemic is not normal! The Task Force, having reviewed the data and listened/read what the scientist have said, again have voted unanimously not to recommend in person worship. But, especially at Christmas, we are reminded that Jesus is the Light of the World and He is with us always.
Over 2000 years ago, shepherds, who were not particularly accepted in society, saw the first light of hope, peace, joy and love. These men who had to tend to their flocks 24/7 were not able to attend prayer services, Sunday school, Bible studies or worship. Shepherds endured dark, unending nights - much like we feel as this pandemic wears on. But, but....God announced the Savior to the world to these men; men who thought their unending darkness would be forever.
We have been enduring challenges for nine months now. When this Task Force was formed, we thought our job would be to make decisions on how to safely reopen and we would be back to normal in a month or so. Depending heavily on the love of Christ, we have lots of room for rejoicing!
“Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead.” (1 Peter 1:6)
While we stay steadfast there is hope: a vaccine is being released, in the Charleston/Colleton area there are ample tests and results are rapid, and, as of today, hospitals still have room for treatment of COVID patients. Remain hopeful. Place your star on the tree on our church porch this Christmas Eve so that others can witness the Light of the World.
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Re-Opening Task Force / October 2020 Update
The Session appointed this task force to study and make recommendations as to how and when PCEI could safely re-open its facilities for public worship and other uses. It has been our firm belief throughout this process that, while our facilities may have been closed, the Presbyterian Church on Edisto Island has remained open and actively serving God in our community.
With local Covid-19 cases on the rise and the percent positive number climbing, we will stay the course with online worship through the end of the year for our Sunday morning worship time.
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ReOpening Task Force Report
Objectives
We began meeting via Zoom conferences in the middle of May. Our initial objective was to find ways that our congregation could safely return to in-person worship and related church activities, while safely providing opportunities for the entire congregation to participate together. We did not want a solution that would exclude any group of members. We also were keenly aware that a significant majority of our congregation is in the group at highest risk for infection and severe reaction to the virus.
Methodology
We have relied heavily on objective data available to us from sources including SCDHEC, CDC, Charleston and Colleton Counties. We reviewed information from the PCUSA General Assembly, Charleston Atlantic Presbytery, and the websites of numerous church organizations. Various members of the task force have monitored reported data on a daily basis. We have personally investigated how other congregations on Edisto Island have responded to the pandemic. Two of the primary websites we have reviewed are:
https://web.musc.edu/coronavirus-updates/epidemiology-project
Initial Actions
When we began meeting, the number of daily new COVID cases was relatively low (100-200) with data indicating only a single case in the 29438 zip code. At that time, we explored how we could use the Ministry Center for worship and had outlined a plan that would have called for controlled one way movement through the building using one entrance and another exit, physical separation from others, seating in family groups, mask requirements for anyone over two years old, and no social gathering before or after the service. This process would also have entailed professional cleaning/sanitizing the building before and after each service. We also considered how the HVAC system could be modified to provide increased filtration of the air being circulated throughout the building.
We also considered how we could provide in person worship to the entire congregation while limiting the number of participants in any one assembly. We looked at dividing the congregation into groups and having one group attend in person on a rotating basis while the others worshipped on-line. We also considered multiple services on Sunday at staggered times. Each presented its own challenges, but a major concern was that we not overburden the staff with preparing multiple different worship services while continuing to address the myriad needs of the congregation.
At the same time, we were looking at a numerical benchmark of a 14 day decline in the seven day average of new cases. That objective seemed illusive in the early days as tourist season approached with the accompanying increase in the island’s population. What began as a slow rise turned to severe spikes in the number of cases and the percentage of positive tests as the summer progressed.
We also investigated issues of liability should someone contract the virus and claim that the exposure could be traced to an event at PCEI. Our insurance carrier confirmed that there would be no coverage to indemnify the church or the elders if such a claim were made.
Based on those factors, we made a unanimous recommendation to the Session that, in the discharge of the elders’ duty to “serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination and love,” they should not invite the congregation and potential visitors into our facility for worship.
Alternatives to In Person Worship
Over the summer we explored a number of alternatives. Outdoor worship did not present an appealing option for several reasons: the PCEI campus does not have a convenient, large, shaded area for a large gathering; using the area across Highway 174 would involve significant safety risks; the heat, humidity and insects prevalent during the summer months would not be conducive to worship; use of a tent for shade would defeat the need for physical distancing. We did not have the capability to broadcast “drive up worship” where folks remain in their cars while listening to a service broadcast via radio.
More importantly to us, however, the quality of the worship services being provided on-line far outweighed any benefit the alternatives might have provided. Creativity, broad congregational participation in worship leadership, and powerful sermons demonstrated to us that PCEI remained open and active in its mission to this community, even while we remained physically distant.
Some have suggested that we host in person worship for those who want to participate, while providing on-line worship for others. In addition to the added burden this would place on the minister, this is not consistent with our objective to provide a solution that does not segregate the congregation. Our investigation also demonstrated that churches in our presbytery that were able to provide dual types of worship had the luxury of multiple ministers on staff.
Current Conditions
Daily totals of new cases are declining, but they remain at least three times higher than when South Carolina businesses closed in March. MUSC currently shows Charleston County in a green category. Businesses and schools have begun re-opening with various rates of success. We have moved beyond Phase One of the attached criteria.
Objective data demonstrate that wearing masks is an effective means of limiting transmission of the virus, but subjective opinions differ. It is reasonable to expect that any mask requirement the Session imposes will not be universally well received by all members.
Current Recommendations
RE-OPENING TASK FORCE CRITERIA
Phase One: No in person gatherings
1. No gatherings with groups within the congregation or the congregation as a whole.
2. Continues until cases in our area and state continues to decrease or remain steady.
Phase Two: Limited outdoor gatherings
Phase Three: Larger outdoor gatherings
Phase Four: Limited indoor congregational gatherings
Phase Five: Larger indoor gathering including a limited number for Sunday worship
Phase Six: Return to in person worship
Please know that we are all ready to return to church and instead of using a calendar date it may be easier to use these guidelines instead of a date.
In response to God's love and grace, through Jesus Christ, we commit to learning, proclaiming and living the love of God.
WELCOME to the Presbyterian Church on Edisto Island
Here you will find information concerning our church and its ministries. We hope you find your time spent here a blessing. Our church is a warm and loving church, and we want you to feel comfortable and at liberty to call on us for anything you need. Feel free to browse through the various areas of our website and learn about us.
If you are considering relocating to our area, we would love to have you be our guest for Sunday School and worship.
The Presbyterian Church on Edisto Island is a PC(USA) congregation.