Vienna Church Plans First In-Person Indoor Worship Since March

VIENNA, VA — The coronavirus pandemic prompted places of worship to consider flexible ways to offer worship and other services. At Church of the Good Shepherd (United Methodist) in Vienna, Christmas Eve will mark the first time since March an in-person indoor worship service will be held.

The church is planning a special "Journey to Christmas" from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 24. Participants will be allowed to walk through various Advent stations in the church.

"This will be open-house style so that people can come anytime during this time frame and be safe as they move throughout the church rooms spaced further apart," said Pastor Eric Song in a statement. "Communion also will be offered outdoors. We are very excited to celebrate Christmas in a new and creative way this year."

At the Christmas Eve event, participants will be asked to enter through the doors closest to the church’s Fellowship Hall and exit by the sanctuary doors. The church will be collecting diapers for those in need, and participants are encouraged to donate. Children can look for "Woolly the Sheep" during their "Journey to Christmas" experience.

"Participants must wear a mask to attend," Song said. "We also will require those attending to sign health acknowledgment forms so that we can keep track of who we are in contact with. We are all working together to make sure we can celebrate Christmas in a safe and healthy way."

The church's worship committee decided to try a Christmas Eve plan after a successful church rummage sale in September. The church has been holding worship online for the last nine months as directed by the Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church. The state conference's district office had to approve the church’s Christmas Eve plan, according to Song. In past years, the church has held a puppy nativity for community members to get photos with their dogs at a nativity scene.

The Church of the Good Shepherd is located at 2351 Hunter Mill Road. For more information, visit www.GoodShepherdVA.com.