Several teams, Governance Council, and many volunteers have been working diligently to create and implement St. Peter’s Hybrid Worship. Over the course of the pandemic, we have been pivoting, adjusting, and changing. Safety and technology and worship design have been areas of focus, and all efforts are focused on creating an authentic and engaging worship experience that fulfills our Covenant of Welcome and is consistent with our Mission Statement.

Worship is a single service at 10:00 a.m. EST each Sunday. You are welcome to join us in person at our temporary worship space of Clay Middle School starting Sept 10 (following safety protocols), via livestream on YouTube (with a live chat during the service) or you can watch later when a recording of the service is posted to our YouTube channel.

For more information please contact office@stpeterscarmel.org

Safety Protocols

• Sunday morning worship is in person and livestreamed via YouTube.

• Conversation and gathering will take place following worship in the Fellowship Hall and Front Entryway (and outside, weather permitting.)

• Small Groups will be welcome to use the building. (Please abide by our Covenant of Welcome, and schedule rooms through Church Administrator Laurie Hesselink.)

• Our Music Team will continue to monitor safe vocal and instrumental practices and will proceed accordingly.

What does Hybrid Worship look and feel like?

•   The worship service is livestreamed (and recorded) to YouTube.  For our online congregants, they will experience worship as a live event captured by cameras mounted on the back walls of the sanctuary, and with imagery and pre-recorded videos designed to enhance worship. For in-person congregants, they are unlikely to notice the cameras given the positioning, but there may be additional monitors or screens present in the sanctuary to allow pre-recorded videos to be shown.
•  There are designated pews that will be marked as “off camera.” Please reserve use of these pews for people who have reason or preference to remain off camera. This is similar to the efforts made by St. Peter’s to only share pictures in church communication or online when permission has been given by the people in the photo.
•  We will be continually exploring ways to creatively connect and care for our online and in person worshippers together.
• There is singing in worship - either by a small group, our choir, and we sing hymns of worship as a congregation.
•  We will have times of speaking together.
• There will be no greeting time of moving around to shake hands or hug.
• There will be a Chat Host in the YouTube live chat during the livestream.
• Offering will be done with a common collection box, online giving, and some services will include passing the plate.
• Communion will be provided for those in person. Prepackaged elements are available. You are also welcome to bring your own elements. Communion is on the 1st and 5th Sundays of the month.
• There is no child care or nursery. Kids are welcome in worship. Distancing guidelines should be followed.
• Please seek permission to offer touch (Hugs, handshakes) to other people before reaching out. Some people are simply not ready for this, regardless of their vaccination or health status.