Church service occurred today for the first time since March. They divided our congregation into two sessions in order to keep numbers under 50. I was in both sessions because they needed an organist. Some observations:
In the first service, every single person in the congregation wore a mask. There was a feeling of peace and solidarity. In the second session, about 1/5 of those in attendance refused to wear masks. The entire service felt tense and I couldn't wait to get out.
One particular guy refused loudly when offered masks for him and his family. He walked around the chapel talking to people before the meeting. This is the dude who always raises his hand and makes every Sunday School lesson a tirade about his political or social beliefs.
That's totally on-brand for him, but I admit it got to me more than usual today. He always makes people uncomfortable, but it feels worse that now he makes the congregation feel uncomfortable and unsafe. And this guy is a pharmacist - he literally wears a mask all day at work.
The service was short - 45 minutes. No singing. I played prelude and Sacrament hymn on the organ, and they played recordings of opening and closing hymns being sung. The talks were brief and on-topic, which was refreshing.
Between services, the bishopric and the bishop's family wiped down hard surfaces on all chairs and pews with disinfectant. I know they are trying hard to make it safe to be together. I do think they are overly focused on clean surfaces and not focused enough on airborne droplets.
Am I ready to bring my family back into that situation? Hard to say. I want them to have some semblance of a formal religious experience. I'd be confident with them in the first service today. Not in the second.
If you're not willing to wear a mask to church, you make it harder for others to confidently attend. Whether you "believe" in masks or not, your refusal can be a big problem for others. As Paul said, "that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way."
