HOLLY HILL, SC (WCSC) – While some churches have resumed internal services, others are preparing to reopen later this year.
A church in Holly Hill is undergoing major renovations to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The Greater Unity AME Church has not held internal services since the pandemic began. However, they have offered services virtually, on the radio and through worship on the veranda. It is a service where people can worship from their cars in the church parking lot.
The bishop who oversees AME churches in South Carolina instructed the churches to remain closed to keep people safe.
Greater Unity AME Church pastor Rev. Randolph Miller says they are preparing to hold internal services in six months, now that vaccinations are underway.
“You need to be safe, even though we have our faith and believe in God,” said Miller. “The bishop said that we must be safe and we will make sure that you wash your hands, wear your mask, social distance, get vaccinated. So that when that thing dies, we can get back together and still be safe. “
Miller says they decided to do a complete renovation that includes new carpet and flooring, a new AC unit and a new layout that allows for social detachment.
They are also acquiring new technologies to view scriptures and hymns on a projector. They are removing all the bibles and hymn books from the bottom of the pews to help prevent the virus from spreading.
“When we get back to the church … we can’t really sit together, so we will have to decide how we are going to space the church and we may have to go to more than one service, “said Miller. .
He says he is also reducing the size of the choir and that the church will be disinfected when the renovations are completed.
He says that church members are eager to return.
“It has been very difficult for some of the members, they call and say, ‘Pastor, I miss you so much, I know I can see you on Facebook Live and Zoom,'” said Miller. “They said it’s not the same as being in person, being able to shake your hand.”
The church is planning to resume services on the first Sunday in September. They will require masks and perform temperature checks.
Across town on Holly Hill, senior pastor of First Baptist Church Shaun Daley says they resumed personal services in May last year.
By Alexis Simmons | March 24, 2021 at 2:21 pm EDT – Updated March 24 at 8:15 pm
HOLLY HILL, SC (WCSC) – While some churches have resumed internal services, others are preparing to reopen later this year.
A church in Holly Hill is undergoing major renovations to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The Greater Unity AME Church has not held internal services since the pandemic began. However, they have been offering services virtually, on the radio and through worship on the veranda. It is a service where people can worship their cars in the church parking lot.
The bishop who oversees AME churches in South Carolina instructed churches to remain closed to keep people safe.
Greater Unity AME Church pastor Rev. Randolph Miller says they are preparing to hold internal services in six months, now that vaccinations are underway.
“You need to be safe, even though we have our faith and believe in God,” said Miller. “The bishop said that we must be safe and we will make sure that you wash your hands, wear your mask, social distance, get vaccinated. So that when that thing dies, we can get back together and still be safe. “
Miller says they decided to do a complete renovation that includes new carpet and flooring, a new AC unit and a new layout that allows for social detachment.
They are also acquiring new technologies to view the scriptures and hymns on a projector. They are removing all the bibles and hymn books from the bottom of the pews to help prevent the virus from spreading.
“When we get back to the church … we can’t really sit together, so we will have to decide how we are going to space the church and we may have to go to more than one service, “said Miller. .
He says he is also reducing the size of the choir and that the church will be disinfected when the renovations are completed.
He says that church members are eager to return.
“It has been very difficult for some of the members, they call and say, ‘Pastor, I miss you so much, I know I can see you on Facebook Live and Zoom,'” said Miller. “They said it’s not the same as being in person, being able to shake your hand.”
The church is planning to resume services on the first Sunday in September. They will require masks and perform temperature checks.
Across town on Holly Hill, senior pastor of First Baptist Church Shaun Daley says they resumed personal services in May last year.
“I think having the doors open has given some stability to people’s lives when there is so much uncertainty,” said Daley. “We can only be here saying that you can come whenever you want, if you feel ready, we are here.”
He says it worked for them to reopen.
“By the grace of God, we didn’t have an outbreak here,” said Daley.
The First Baptist Church also offers radio and virtual service options for those who are not ready to return in person.
Although these churches have different approaches when it comes to reopening measures, they have also been working together in the community. The First Baptist Church has assisted the Great Unity AME Church with its food distribution efforts.
Copyright 2021 WCSC. All rights reserved.