HELPING HAND – PHILOPTOCHOS

Due to delays with the U.S. Mail, some Parishioners are receiving the cards at a later time.

Worship Schedule

June 24, 2020

Dear Parishioners of St. Nicholas,

With unwaning gratitude to God our parish has entered PHASE 2 of the coronavirus pandemic reopening process.

We announce the following in addition to previous steps:

• Our church will continue to be open for individual prayer on weekdays, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

• For Sunday Divine Liturgy, attendance is by appointment only. We are limited to 25% capacity at this time.

Who should not attend (CDC guidelines):

• Those exhibiting signs or symptoms of ANY acute illness (COVID-19 or otherwise). You MUST stay home.
• Those who have come into contact with anyone positive for COVID-19 within the last two weeks.
• Those who are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19 (65 years or older; live in a long-term care facility; have—or household members have—underlying medical conditions, such as asthma, heart conditions, compromised immunity, diabetes, obesity, kidney or liver disease, etc.).

Guidelines for Individual Prayer

• A facemask must be worn properly and at all times. Those with valid medical exceptions or special needs, and children age 10 and under do not need to wear a mask.
• Hands must be sanitized upon entry.
• The faithful must refrain from shaking hands, embracing, or kissing one another.
• At all times, the faithful must maintain appropriate distance from one another, with the exception of families that live together. Our church has been outfitted with markers and guides.
• At the conclusion of their personal prayer time, the faithful must exit the building and return directly to their vehicles, without congregating or lingering. 
• Please note that access to the church during the hours of 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. may be affected by occasional services, such as funerals.

Guidelines for Attending the Divine Liturgy

Our church is currently permitted to admit 25% of the capacity of the nave (the main part of the temple) for worship. In order to facilitate this as safely as possible it is mandatory that those wishing to attend the Divine Liturgy on Sundays call ahead to be placed on an attendance list.

• Individuals and families that meet the conditions listed above may come to the church for participation in the Divine Liturgy.
• FACE MASKS ARE REQUIRED as per above.
• Those who are prepared and desire to come MUST CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. Appointments are first-come, first-served.
• There will be a sign-in sheet in the narthex. In addition to ensuring that we maintain proper capacity, this is necessary so that we may contact those present at a given service in the event we are made aware of an active COVID case in an individual who was also in attendance.
• Parish Council members will be present to ensure that appropriate distancing and safety measures are being observed. Tampering with barriers, stanchions, ropes, and seat or floor markers is prohibited. Please respect the measures being taken to facilitate safe distancing.
• After being dismissed from the service, the faithful must not congregate or linger inside the church or on the exterior grounds.
• We encourage those who attend on a given Sunday to consider allowing a week to pass before making a next appointment, in order to allow those to come who have not yet had a chance.

IMPORTANT: We remind you that our church office is still operating with limitations, for the continued safety and well-being of our staff, who have been serving with dedication throughout the pandemic. In light of this, we remind you:

• No in-person business is being conducted by our office. Only office staff and clergy are permitted in the office until further notice.
• Please conduct all business over the phone or online. Anything needing to be delivered may be mailed or placed directly in the mailbox next to the main office door.

We are counting on your prayerful cooperation and patience as we move forward.

Orthros 7:30 a.m. | Divine Liturgy 8:30 a.m.
Unless otherwise noted.

JULY