Seats fill quickly at Northside church
Pre-registration required to attend Christmas Eve services
Christmas is all about tradition and for many, one of the most highly anticipated traditions is attending church on Christmas Eve.
For some, the disappointment of not being able to be part of a church service on December 24 is very real. The pandemic is responsible for many churches cancelling the service due to the anticipation of a heavy turnout and the inability to ensure social distancing.
Not so for members of the congregation of St. Matthew Wesley United in North Sydney. A committee was put in place early in December to work on a plan that will see the Christmas Eve tradition continue.
Reverend Stephen Mills is the minister at the church. He said this past year has been a challenge. He said dealing with the effects of the pandemic as they relate to the church has not been easy but St. Matthew Wesley has been finding its way.
“When it comes to social distancing, one of the gifts of St Matthew Wesley is its size. We have the capacity to seat up to 400 people. Because of restrictions relating to the pandemic and provincial protocols, we are permitted to have 100 people attend the service this year,” said Mills.
Congregants were asked to pre-register for the Christmas Eve service in advance. Pre-registration was required to attend the service and with just 100 seats available, maximum capacity was reached quickly.
Reverend Mills said it is unfortunate that not everyone who wants to attend the church service this Christmas Eve will be able to. However, he said those who are registered to attend can expect that things will run smoothly.
“In the weeks since the church reopened, we have been requiring those attending to adhere to a
number of protocols that have been put in place to keep them healthy and safe.
“We ask that they enter the church from the side and exit from the front. We ask that they have their mask on when they arrive at the church and sanitize their hands before entering the sanctuary. They must register their name upon arrival. The pews are clearly marked to accommodate social distancing.”
Reverend Mills said the same protocols will be in place for the Christmas Eve service. He said some delays are expected and people are asked to arrive at the church a little early to avoid a backup at the door. To avoid any further confusion when inside the sanctuary, ushers will be on hand to assist people to their seats.
The service this year will be a little different in that the congregations won’t be participating in any signing. There is a musical component planned for the service that will make up for the absence of the singing of traditional Christmas carols. With the exception of the music, the order of service will be that same as previous years.
Reverend Mills said when the pandemic first begun he knew things at the church would be different for a while. He said he wasn’t sure how the congregation would react to the mandated changes and all the safety protocols.
“Thankfully the congregation of St. Matthew Wesley adjusted very well to the changes brought on by the pandemic.
“I am pleased that members remain dedicated to the work of the church. They continue to show support with their time as well as financial support. If anything they are even more generous now, knowing that the needs of the community are greater.”
Sherry Mulley MacDonald is an author and freelance journalist. She is a lifelong resident of the Northside with an affection for the community in which she lives.