In a video conference on November 4 2020, the Presidential Council of the Synod, including all four Bishops and Lay President, plus the General Secretary of the Reformed Church in Hungary, reviewed the governmental measures and public health guidelines regarding the health crisis due to the second wave of coronavirus pandemic, and their impact on worship practice and community life of the church. The leadership of RCH issued a new resolution on guidelines for worship and community life. Worship with physical presence is still possible.
“It is the duty of our local ministers and congregation to act in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations, to give an example and strictly adhere to official regulations of the health authorities such as social distancing, use of face masks and disinfectants,” reads in the guidelines.
Congregations are advised to place hand sanitizers in church buildings, community halls, and pastors’ offices. Rooms should be disinfected regularly, including benches and tables in churches. Ventilation before and after church events is should be taken care of. Use of masks and distancing must be observed also in pastors’ offices.
Worship
“Please, keep necessary distance within church halls during worship services, prayers and Bible classes. Where there are chairs, just use every third chair or arrange the room accordingly. The same applies for other church meetings, like local council or kirk sessions,” stresses the recommendation.
First time during the pandemic congregations are advised to reduce singing at worships and limit it to one opening and one closing hymn verse. Instead, instrumental church music should be played. Congregation members should fully respect the rule that worship and church meetings can only be attended with a mask covering nose and mouth.
“We request that pastors take off their face masks during worship, church services, and casual services only for the duration of their speech,” specifies the guideline. The same rule shall apply to any other public gatherings, including municipal, school, and community events.
Usual forms of greeting and farewell including direct contact should also be avoided at worship services.
Casual services
“When recording the funeral and throughout the funeral service, our pastors should keep a safety distance of one and a half to two meter from the mourning family, and remind mourners to do the same. After the funeral, refrain from the usual gestures of direct condolences and ask members of the mourning congregation to do the same,” warns the Presidium.
Furthermore, funeral service has to be limited to the shortest possible time and held outdoor. If this is only possible at the tomb itself, the liturgies in the funeral home and at the tomb have to be combined, but reading bible verses of the resurrection and praying the Apostles’ Creed are mandatory.
Younger associate ministers are asked to conduct funeral instead of pastors over the age of 65 or in chronic health condition. Presbyteries are requested to organize substitutions as needed.
When Advent and Christmas season comes closer, the Presidential Council will make further provisions.
“Let us persevere in prayer for the passing of the pandemic, for the healing of the sick, and for comfort of those in grieve. God be the shepherd of us all,” closes the document.