First United Methodist Church Durant and Caddo

Facebook Live is replacing Zoom for online worship. Starting Sunday, September 20, you can join the 10:00 worship service on the church's Facebook page.

First UMC and COVID-19

These measures are in place to protect the safety and health of all church members. Therefore, we ask that all attendees comply with the following measures to better protect you, your family and your church family. 

• First, we strongly encourage all who are sick or immune compromised to stay home and continue to watch the worship service on Facebook Live or the church website. The morning service will be posted within an hour after it concludes, so by noon.
• We ask that you not arrive more than 15 minutes before the service—so not before 9:45. And, we won’t linger in the building when the service is over.
• There are only 2 entrances used to access the church: the two north entrances at the east and west ends of the hall. They are marked. Ushers take temperatures of all members when entering into the church. If you are running a fever you will be asked not to attend worship that day.
• Face masks are required while in the church and for worship. We have a supply of masks available or you can bring your own.
• You’re encouraged to use hand sanitizer upon entering the church. There are several bottles of hand sanitizer placed around the sanctuary for your use.
• For the time being, coffee/breakfast foods are not provided. 
• There is no “meet and greet” time during the service.
• We aren't using hymnals. Handouts with announcements are pre-placed on chairs.
• The choir isn't singing. We have been advised that congregational singing is safe while we wear masks.
• Instead of passing offering plates, we have stationary containers to collect offering. Or, giving can be done online.
• Seating in the sanctuary has groups of chairs set 6 feet apart around the sanctuary.
• Until further notice there will be no adult Sunday school classes meeting.
• For now, there will not be any children’s programming. This includes Sunday school, children’s worship and nursery. There is a table set up with materials for the children to help keep them busy and entertained during worship time. Crayons will be returned to marked locations, then sanitized and reused for the next week’s service.

This is Phase One of reopening. All items will be re-evaluated on a regular basis and changes will be made when conditions allow. We’ll continue to communicate with you any new information as the situation changes. Please know we are doing all of this to best protect you and your family. Thank you for patience and understanding during this unusual time.