Places of worship have been given the green light from the state to resume small religious services, with a maximum of 10 people.

What You Need To Know

  • Places of worship can resume with maximum 10 people.
  • Even with the green light, some are continuing virtually.
  • Pastors and bishops say when they head back to the places of worship, things will look different.
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Despite the go-ahead, some churches, including the People’s A.M.E. Zion Church in Syracuse, are electing to keep operating virtually for the time being.

"We already have the 10 peopleit takes to do online service, so we're a congregation that needs our 10 just to be able to do the online,” said Pastor Daren Jaime.

The pastor says the church is hoping to see a larger capacity, and other factors, before deciding to reopen its doors for services. 

"We want someone to be able to prepare adequately for those who are coming in. So we want to talk about, what are those suggested guidelines, what are the things that are needed?" Jaime said. "PPE, other things that may help us in this process. It's important that we proceed, but we have to make sure we're proceeding with caution."

Drive-in and parking lot services are also now allowed by the state. Those are options the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse is considering.

"We're getting ready for next weekend, May 31, Pentecost. Where we are going to hopefully be able to at least to have celebrations in parking lots,” said Bishop Douglas Lucia.

Lucia is also working with public officials to see if churches may have the chance to open for more than 10 people. 

"It's that balance of wanting to be safe, but also that need. We do need to be able to come together again in prayer and to receive the nourishment of the sacraments," Lucia said.

The Diocese says masses, once they can continue, will look different, including no Holy Water and precautions during Communion.