Church Opens Its Doors Sunday In Davidsonville With One Concern

DAVIDSONVILLE, MD — An Anne Arundel County church held in-person services Sunday with the intention of allowing up to 120 parishioners per service for a total of three consecutive 45-minute services. Children age 10 and younger were not allowed to attend services.

Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman previously declared in an executive order that religious institutions could allow no more than 10 people inside a facility at one time.

Chesapeake Christian Fellowship in Davidsonville opened its doors May 24 for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic gripped the country. In a letter sent to its followers, church officials mapped out its guidelines to be followed in order for the congregation to gather together again. They also were listed on its website.

"I ask you to please carefully read and respectfully ask you to abide by the particulars of our reopening procedures which are attached. I look forward to beginning corporate worship and seeing a number of you this Sunday, May 24," wrote James A. "Pat" Packett.

The 9 a.m. service was designated for those with last names beginning with A-F; the 11 a.m. service was for those with last names starting with G-O; the 1 p.m. service was set aside for those with last names beginning with P-Z.

The guidelines explained that every person attending service had to sit 6 feet apart, which applied to immediately family members. Pews were marked where people could sit every other pew. Face masks were required to be worn at all times. Temperatures were to be taken and those with a temperature of 100.4 or higher would not be allowed entrance.

Hand sanitizer stations were to be set up, but bulletins, bibles and tissues were not be made available. Water fountains were not accessible and bathrooms were available on a limited basis. An offering box was made available but an offering was not traditionally taken.

Congregants hesitant to return to in-person service still had the option of watching the 11 a.m. service online.

Pittman told the Capital Gazette that the county health department would be in touch with church leaders.

“Our health department will let the church leadership know that both the state of Maryland and Anne Arundel County have limits in place on gatherings both inside and outside of church buildings,” Pittman said. “We hope that the church will comply.”

Packett told the Capital Gazette that he did not seek advice from the county and that Pittman discriminates against places of worship in the executive order. Gov. Larry Hogan’s statewide order allows in-person religious services, but leaders must limit attendance to 50 percent of the institution’s capacity. However, local governments have the ability to enforce stricter rules.