Churches get creative, pivot to outdoor Sunday services
Worshippers can reconnect, but with masks and at a distance
Broomfield resident Kim Hohensee has watched Sunday morning church services from her family room, dining room or on the deck while eating breakfast with her husband.
The couple, who have been members at Lutheran Church of Hope, have been able to watch the service in their pajamas in a relaxed setting, but the cons outweigh the pros in their opinion.
She misses the music — particularly as a pianist for the ministry for more than 20 years — watching Pastor Scott McAnally in- person, and the sense of community she feels when surrounded by everyone in the pews.
“Our extended family is in the Midwest,” she said. “All of our close friends and our church — that’s our family out here. I miss that socialization piece.”
On Sunday, Lutheran Church of Hope will host its first inperson outdoor service since COVID- 19 caused the church to move to an online format.
McAnally said the church has recently held two outdoor funerals, the latest of which drew more than 200 people.
Ninety- six circles, 6- feet in circumference, have been painted on the grass, parking lot and circular drive so family units can socially distance. Masks are highly recommended for outdoor church service, McAnally said, and Lutheran Church of Hope requires them. Church goers are asked to bring their own chairs.
Hohensee is excited the church is inviting people back for in- person service and is curious to see attendance.
“It’ll be a chance again for people to see each other,” she said. “I get it if ( people) are not comfortable doing that. I totally understand.”
McAnally said the group will not sing as a whole community, but instead a soloist will provide music. Since COVID- 19 is passed through aerosol droplets, and singing can spread those droplets up to 25 feet, the church felt it was safer to go this route, he said.
“Lutherans love to sing,” McAnally said. “That’s been the hardest part for us. Even at the funerals we love to sing.”
The church will do contactless communion, similar to the drive- through format they’ve been doing, where they hand out a plate with a communion wafer and a paper cup of grape juice prepared by someone who is masked and gloved.
Despite the pandemic, Lutheran Church of Hope has seen an uptick and strong presence this summer with its virtual format, McAnally said.
The church will still offer services online.
Discovery Christian Church started holding outdoor services about every other week starting July 12, in addition to its virtual offerings. On July 23, it opened its first in- person children’s program since the COVID- 19 shutdown. It was offered in the auditorium while the 9 a. m. church service took place on the lawn.
About 150 people attend each outdoor service, Discovery Executive Pastor Tom Morris said, including those who opt to sit in their vehicles. The church is offering an FM transmitter to provide a signal to a car radio.
Discovery also encouraged outdoor parishioners to wear masks and indicated with flags where groups could stay 6- feet apart. Initially the church received concern from neighbors about the noise, so they changed the music by eliminating drums so as not to bother neighbors. It will also offering the online service.
Aaron Britton, pastor of Gospel Life Church, said congregants met at Broomfield Heights Middle School before COVID hit, but now gather at 10 a. m. in one of the church member’s backyard.
At the end of March, the church switched to Zoom and Youtube to broadcast services, he said. It began the backyard set up the last week of June. About 20 to 30 people attend the services, which also include water bottles and masks for people who don’t have one.
“We have chairs, large shade trees and we space out in family groups,” Britton said. “Music and the person speaking are set back on a patio area … we have masks and personal communion elements so we’re not too close for too long.”
The Refuge, 11600 Quay St # 200, remains online for its regular Sunday gatherings, but church leaders are trying to be creative in organizing outdoor gatherings. On July 5, they held a “Campfire Conversations” inperson event in the Refuge parking lot. The event was also available on Zoom. Another gathering was an “interactive outdoor contemplative experience” in Golden that included “music, reflection, sharing and hope.” Over Labor Day weekend, the church is planning another parking lot gathering with pick- up for “parents pandemic survival kits.”
“Forest Church was one of the best things we’ve done since COVID and we’re planning another in September,” co- pastor Kathy Escobar said.