Reopening Information

We are excited to worship with you in the church building once again! The following information is intended to help us transition to in-person worship as smoothly as possible:

1. Sunday Service Guidelines
2. A statement of thanksgiving to God for his provision through the vaccines and advice to congregants from the Medical Task Force.
3. Family Ministry Guidelines

Section 1. SUNDAY SERVICE GUIDELINES

These guidelines were developed and approved by the Reopening Work Group (ROWG) after considering many factors. The ROWG received counsel from the Medical Task Force (MTF) as well. The ROWG comprises five staff, two elders, and one member of the MTF. The ROWG will continue revisiting these guidelines and make further adjustments as needed.

• The 8:30 AM, 11:00 AM, and 4:00 PM services are now open to all worshipers!
• Masks are not required, but the MTF advises all who are unvaccinated (including ministers, choir members, ushers, greeters, adults, and children) to wear masks during the services and at all times while in the building.
• There will be no social distancing required on the floor of the sanctuary, though this may be practiced as attendance allows.
• The balconies will be reserved for socially distanced seating and for those wearing masks.
• The Fellowship Hall will be open as an alternative place for worship. The service will be streamed and masks will be worn and social distancing will occur.
• Singing will occur throughout the services on the floor and balcony of the sanctuary but not in the Fellowship Hall.
• Stay-at-home or outdoor virtual worship will be supported. If you are gathering in a group to worship virtually and would like support, please contact Kris Perkins.
• The Welcome Center will be used before, between, and after services for fellowship.
• No pre-registration will occur for worship attendees, but families will be required to pre-register in Realm if planning to use Children’s Church and Nursery to ensure we have proper staff and volunteers to care for our children.
  • See the Family Ministry statement below for more information.
• The facilities are available for use by ministries of the church. As always, space must be requested from and approved by the Facilities staff prior to use. Please contact them here to request space.

 
Section 2. GIVING THANKS TO GOD & A NOTE FROM THE MTF
Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! – Psalm 115:1

With grateful hearts we praise our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who alone is the Healer of all diseases (Exodus 15:26). The God of all mercy is the reason for the end of this pandemic. We are deeply grateful for the many clinicians who risked their lives during the pandemic, and the scientists and public health providers who have tirelessly developed and distributed the Covid-19 vaccines. Even so, we are especially reminded that it is God in His providence (Proverbs 16:9) who gives us every breath to understand (Job 32:8), opening the human mind to scientific discovery (Daniel 2:21), who is the true Healer in this pandemic (Psalm 103:3). Like the leper who returned to Jesus with thanksgiving for his healing (Luke 17:15), even so we return thanksgiving for His merciful provision received through the Covid-19 vaccines.

In light of this good gift, we have asked the Medical Task Force to offer final advice to congregants concerning health questions pertaining the Covid-19 vaccines. As followers of Jesus Christ and fellow congregants, the Medical Task Force has helped the church navigate these health complexities. We are indebted to this dedicated and talented team of clinicians and scientists, who are also disciples of Jesus, and our brothers and sisters, who have taken considerable time to counsel the congregation on these confusing health-related questions.

A note from the Medical Task Force to the congregation:

Dear Fellow Park Streeters,

It has been a long time of being away from each other in worship and other vital activities of our Park Street community during this pandemic. Our congregation has been blessed to continue in worship some in person and some virtually and all safely, by God’s grace! We are grateful to be returning to in-person worship services. In light of regathering, we offer the following information in support of our fellow congregational members.

1. We believe that it is safe for vaccinated individuals to regather for normal worship and other church activities in light of declining numbers of Covid-19 cases and deaths in Massachusetts, with recent rapid improvement due to vaccinations.
2. We urge all congregants to not delay in seeking vaccination. The vaccination of one person in our community contributes to the health of our whole community.
   • The Covid-19 vaccines have been rigorously tested using the best available science without cutting corners. After examining the evidence, we have full confidence that the vaccines are trustworthy and safe.
   • The vaccines are highly protective from multiple strains of the virus.
3. At this time, with regard to in-person worship and activities:
   • We advise all unvaccinated people to wear masks while in the church building.
   • Vaccinated people need not wear masks, although they are welcome to continue wearing masks if they wish.
4. When singing, unvaccinated attendees are not protected from sending or receiving aerosolized virus even when wearing a mask.
   • We recommend that immunocompromised people and unvaccinated people who want to come to church but are concerned about aerosols generated by singing, worship in a space reserved for them during services. In this space, all congregants can sit together to watch the live streamed service. They will all wear masks, sit distanced from each other and will not be singing.
5. Getting a vaccine will speed our return to normal here at Park Street, while protecting those who cannot get vaccinated or are immunocompromised.

If congregants have additional questions about the safety or efficacy of the Covid-19 vaccines, as fellow congregants and followers of Jesus, we are available to answer questions or concerns. For more information about Covid vaccination, please see the health information from the CDC.

 
Section 3. FAMILY MINISTRY GUIDELINES
 
Family Ministries has reopened all regular summer Sunday programs at limited capacities. We have one nursery available for ages 0–2 and Children’s Church (8:30 AM — ages 3 to 6) (11:00 AM and 4:00 PM — ages 3 to Grade 3) at all three services. Pre-registration is required for your children to attend. You will pre-register your children through Realm, similar to how pre-registration for services has been happening. You can register by clicking on one of the links below.

Registration Links for June:

• June 20
• June 27

SUMMER COVID GUIDELINES

1. Children must be pre-registered (registration closes at 11:00 PM the SAT before)
2. There will be no health screening form.
3. If your child presents symptoms or tests positive for Covid after attending a family ministry program, please contact Adam Herndon.
4. Nursery-aged kids are not required to wear masks.
5. We ask that all non-vaccinated children attending Children’s Church wear a mask as recommended by our Medical Task Force.
6. Per EEC guidelines, Nursery and Children’s Church volunteers are still required to wear a mask.
7. When you arrive to the church, please go the Family Ministry Check-In area to pick-up your child’s nametag and parent security tags.

We are thrilled to be back with our church family at Camp Laurel South in Casco, Maine this summer! Our theme for camp is “Together.” This year we will focus on spending as much time as we can outdoors, including our meeting times and meals.

Things to do: soccer, tennis, gaga, swimming, volleyball, fishing, ultimate frisbee, climbing wall, zipline, ping pong, slip-n-slide, tubing, lake cruises, canoeing, inflatable waterslide, kayaking, crafts, and much, much more!

Young Adults are planning a full-day excursion on Saturday, August 28, as well as some other  activities.

More details are available on the registration page. We hope to see you there!

REGISTER HERE

In addition to our regular Communion services at 8:30 AM, 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM, we will be holding an outdoor communion service on the Boston Common (Parkman Bandstand location) on SUN, AUG 1 at 1:30 PM. No pre-registration is required to attend this service.  

Don’t just be a spectator of these Summer Olympic Games, but participate in this important world event through your prayers. The 32nd Olympic Games are set to start on JUL 23 and yet much of the world is still suffering under the effects of the pandemic.

Sign up to receive an email each day from JUL 23 to AUG 8. You’ll receive a daily devotional and hear from from some of our missionaries and Park Street internationals about how we can pray for their countries. 

SIGN UP

The Park Street Clothing Pantry is in need of gently used summer clothing donations. We are currently accepting all men’s and women’s sizes, and we especially need men’s sizes large & XL and belts. We cannot accept children’s clothing at this time. Please consider cleaning out your closets and sharing those items you rarely use!

Items can be dropped off during Park Street business hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM and on Sundays.

Questions? Contact Kimberley Morrison at [email protected]. 

Please pray for the future leaders of the church and for those tasked with identifying them.

If you know a Park Street member who would be a good elder candidate, the Nominating Committee would like to hear from you! Click below to email the Nominating Committee and let us know. Please include the person’s name and contact info (if you have it) as well as a few reasons why you think that person should be an elder.

EMAIL THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Do you enjoy drinking coffee, savoring homemade sweets, and chatting with your brothers and sisters after church services? We are in search of volunteers to serve and bring sweets for coffee hour over the summer (and beyond).

The sign-up form below lists seven Sundays between JUL 25 and SEP 5. Choose the slot(s) which suit your schedule, considering which service you will be attending — 8:30 AM, 11:00 AM, or 4:00 PM. More detailed information and instructions can be found on the form. We hope you take advantage of this opportunity to serve our community!

Questions: Email Kimberley

SIGN UP HERE!

RSVP

If you’re new to Park Street Church, and are looking to get more connected, we want to hear from you! If you haven’t had the opportunity to fill out a Connect Card yet, click the online form below.

We will send you an invitation to an upcoming Newcomer’s Dinner, which is a great opportunity to engage more deeply with our community. We look forward to getting to know you!

ONLINE CONNECT FORM

Park Street Church is looking for qualified applicants for the Director of Facilities Management. This position is responsible for managing Park Street’s downtown properties, as well as overseeing the stewardship of the Wilson House campus in Cambridge, MA, and the operational infrastructure (mechanical, electrical, security, HVAC, technological, etc.) of these critical assets. The position is also responsible for safety and security of the church’s properties and the church’s technology footprint and its efficient and secure operation.

VIEW THE JOB DESCRIPTION

Park Street Church is hiring for the position of Ministries Administrative Assistant. This position will report directly to the Senior Minister while serving as part of the Ministries Team. The Ministries Administrative Assistant will work in collaboration with the Missions Administrator and the Administration Administrative Assistant as well as the Church Administrator, Financial Controller, Director of Facilities Management, and Director of Communications to better enable the church to faithfully fulfill its mission.

VIEW THE JOB DESCRIPTION

Lexington Christian Academy (LCA) is hiring a Residential Life Coordinator and Dorm Parent positions. Are you interested in education and youth development? Are you looking for a creative way to tackle the high cost of housing in the Boston area? Are you working part-time or taking graduate classes? Consider being part of the residential community at Lexington Christian Academy. 

Find more information about these and other LCA job openings at the link below.

LCA JOBS