Worship Guidelines in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak

​On Friday, March 13, the Standing Committee, along with Archdeacon Calhoun Walpole and Bishop Henry Parsley, met with Dr. Robert Ball (a parishioner at St. Stephen’s, Charleston, and Professor of Infectious Disease at the Medical University of South Carolina) for a conversation regarding next steps for our Diocese during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The following guidelines pertain to services tomorrow. We are in a rapidly unfolding situation and will be back in touch regarding plans moving forward. As of today, Saturday, March 14, South Carolina state officials have not recommended or mandated that public events be canceled, but the CDC has encouraged the more vulnerable populations to avoid large crowds. Based on this recommendation, all services in the Diocese of South Carolina may take place tomorrow as announced. Clergy serving congregations are also at liberty to decide to suspend services if they deem it appropriate in their own local context. 

For churches holding services, please follow these guidelines:

• Hand sanitizers should be available at all entrances.
• Bulletins should be used only once and then disposed of by the user into recycling receptacles.
• The Exchange of the Peace should be with a simple bow.
• The distribution of the Cup will be suspended during Holy Communion.
• When receiving the Host, the priest will drop the wafer into one’s hand, so please keep your palms flat to receive our Lord’s Body.
• The gifts of bread and wine are to be placed on the credence table before the service and not at the back of the church. We will suspend the service of oblation bearers for now.
• The Eucharistic ministers should sanitize their hands prior to and after distributing Communion.
• Altar guilds should be extra vigilant that all vessels are properly cleaned after each use.
• During the Offertory, the alms basins should be placed in visible, stationary locations rather than passed around.
• Holy Water should be removed from baptismal fonts. 
• Practice social distancing by maintaining a distance of at least three feet from one another when possible.

Additionally, the CDC recommends the following actions to protect yourself and others from transmitting the COVID-19 coronavirus: 

1. Stay home if you are sick.
2. Wash your hands often with soap and water.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
4. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
5. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
6. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue then throw the tissue away. If tissues are not available, cough or sneeze into your sleeve.

​A page has been added to the diocesan website dedicated to our response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Find it at this link: episcopalchurchsc.org/covid19. All communications from diocesan leadership will be available on this webpage, as well as resources and information that may be helpful to churches throughout our diocese during this time.