The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
When churches open, how will they serve?
Faith leaders meet with mayor to discuss reopening
TORRINGTON — When churches open in the coming weeks, coronavirus pandemic guidelines and rules likely will change the atmosphere of worship services and other activities. How those changes will affect parishioners was discussed Friday morning when the city’s faith community met on Zoom.
The meeting, dubbed a
Tele Town Hall Meeting, drew about 26 people including ministers from the First Congregational Church of Torrington, Unity in the Foothills, First United Methodist Church, Northwest Hills Community Church and others in and around the city.
The meeting was organized by Mayor Elinor Carbone and Economic Development Director Rista Malanca. They were joined by Torrington Fire Chief Peter Towey, City Planner Martin Connor and Tom Stansfield, deputy
director of the Torrington Area Health District.
“I miss my Sunday morning routines, getting to church and spending a little time for reflection,” Carbone said. “It’s such an important part of our recovery, bringing our residents back into our churches. We wanted to reach out to all of you ... to open a line of communication with you.”
Carbone noted that the religious leaders have a connection to the community that others don’t. “You have a direct line with residents. You can help us identify needs, whether it’s food, job training, employment benefits . ... This is a chance to establish this ambassadorship with you. We hope this will be the first of many meetings with you,” she said.
‘We’re here to support your activities’
Like previous similar meetings, officials were assembled to answer questions and guide church leaders as they reopen. Towey said the rules surrounding reopening of the state, specifically concerning social distancing with larger groups of people, are constantly changing.
“We’re here to support your activities,” Towey said. “Things are rapidly evolving, and we want to stay on top of whatever you need.”
Like other organizations, churches are eligible to receive supplies of personal protective equipment as well as non-contact thermometers. Some leaders, Towey said, have taken a training session to understand the requirements for group gatherings.
A serious reminder
The Rev. Ximena DiazVaras, pastor at First United Methodist Church, shared a story with the group. “I had COVID-19, and I’m recovering,” she said “I have asthma, and I was being careful. I don’t know where I got it. My doctor said maybe in the supermarket.”
Diaz-Varas said she was hospitalized, then quarantined for three weeks away from her family and her home. “It’s been six weeks now, and I’m still feeling pain in my lungs and my kidneys,” she said. “What I’m saying is, you cannot be too careful. People who are high risk are very susceptible.”
How many people?
One of the longest discussions during the meeting surrounded the number of people allowed in church.
“For the houses of worship, I hope we are all understanding that we can have groups of up to 50 people at one time,” Stansfield said. “That’s the number we’re all using right now. But it’s rapidly changing. Right now, we’re looking at June 20 for our next phase of reopening the state. I hope those rules will continue to raise the number of people allowed.”
Stansfield asked the church leaders to maintain social distancing.
“Families that live together can sit together, but if you have groups that are disassociated, they should maintain that social distancing,” he said. “Apply common sense. Ventilate the areas of worship. Just like restaurants and offices, we want to make sure the population stays as safe as they possibly can.”
Malanca read several letters and emails from people who didn’t attend; one in particular involved Sunday school. The writer wondered whether it could be held outside.
“Sunday school’s a difficult one,” Stansfield said. “All schools are closed . ... If you’re holding a day camp, look at what your instructional situation would be. Call yourself a day camp with 10 or less children, for Sunday school. See how these outdoor camps with small groups are being handled.”
Stansfield said there were no state guidelines involving religious institutions. “If you come up with some way to handle it, great, but it should be no larger than a group of 10.”
Malanca suggested churches contact the fire marshal or health department, but Towey said these departments were not regulators, and could only provide guidance based on the state’s orders. “Our approach is to partner and work through it. We’re frustrated by that lack of guidance. Hopefully, houses of worship may even be able to open next week.”
Masks or no masks
Others asked whether masks were mandatory during a religious service or church activity. Stansfield responded, “If you’re indoors, you’re wearing a mask.”
“Large social gatherings are still discouraged,” he said. “Social gatherings are limited to five people, with the exception of religious services, which are limited to 50.”
Some churches want to hold outdoor services to allow more people and others asked whether a service could be held on city property. There was some speculation that by June 20, the group number would go from 50 to 100 people. But Towey was hesitant to be specific. “It would be awkward to speculate at this point,” he said. “We can all be hopeful that those numbers are going to
change for the better.”
“If you want to have something on city property, contact me directly. We’ll need a social distancing plan ... and I’ll guide it to the right department,” Malanca said.
The Rev. Michael Ambrose from Northwest Hills Community Church said his congregation of about 150 people had many young families who were “chomping at the bit” to get back to church.
“Our sanctuary can seat up to 300 people, and we have other large rooms,” Ambrose said. “Could you have closed-circuit TV, so more people can participate —and if all social distancing rules are being met?”
Stansfield suggested having more than one service to acommodate everyone. “That’s a tough one,” he said. “I don’t know how to answer that. But, think about how you’re going to get 150 to 300 people back into their cars without having a big crowd. Consider the entire event.”
The Rev. Steve Darr said his church was planning to hold two services, and had a team to sanitize the sanctuary after each one. He wondered what to do about enforcing masks. “If we have a guest who comes to church, or church members who won’t wear a mask, do we have any authority to say you can’t enter unless you wear one?” Darr asked.
“A business owner has a right to ask customers to comply — it’s ‘No shoes, no shirt, no mask, no service,’” Towey said. “You as churches can limit your facility and require masks.”
Why are churches different
The Rev. Carolyn Swift Jones also asked why church gatherings were different. “We’re not gathering in our building until we know it’s safe. Our community is one of high risk people,” she said. “We are able to feed our congregation spiritually, and we’re (using) Zoom. But if public gatherings of five are the rule, why are church gatherings allowing 50?”
“The 50-person limit was a way to acknowledge the importance of the spiritual connection, and allow those gatherings if it’s safe,” Towey said.
Michael Clark from Northwest Hills Community Church also was frustrated by the lack of guidance for churches.
“The state’s ‘essential places’ are bars, casinos, salons, gyms, theaters, in this next phase of reopening,” he said. “If all these other businesses are considered essential for the phase 2 reopening ... we’re probably going to decline the guidelines. We’ll follow the protective guidelines, but not the ‘wisdom’ of opening these other places, that are considered essential or non-essential.
“No disrespect to anyone, but it’s up to whoever’s deciding to have a gathering,” Clark said. “We respect our church president, who regards us as essential.”
Retail openings
The city held a second meeting for retail businesses, but no one showed up for the Zoom forum. Malanca encouraged any business owner with questions to contact her or visit the city’s website, torringtonct.org, for information.
Malanca can be reached at rista_malanca@torringtonct.org.
“We’re trying to keep our website up to date with links for supplies, guidelines, on the home page,” she said. “TAHD is also updating their website often. Our message is the same — we just want to help.”
Connor said if retail businesses wanted to sell on their sidewalks outside or in an adjacent parking lot they were free do to so, as long as they didn’t block anything and let the city know their plans.
“We will be respectful of the governor’s executive order to encourage retail,” Connor said. “If it works for them to do some outdoor sales, we’ll work with them.”