The Methodist Church, Ghana, on Sunday officially re-opened its Church premises for services after putting all necessary measures in place to safeguard congregants from contracting and spreading the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
At the St. John Methodist Church in Tantra Hill, the Ghana News Agency observed that stickers were placed at various entrances directing congregants to wear face masks before entring, wash hands right after entry, get temperature taken and have palms sanitized before getting into the main church auditorium.
Stickers were also placed on pews, directing congregants on where exactly to sit.
Pews that used to take four individuals on a row, took two while those that took six individuals took three with significant spacing between each other.
The Ghana News Agency also observed that profiles congregants made up of, names, residential address, contact numbers and temperature before being allowed entry were taken.
Due to the 100-member per service directive from President Akufo-Addo, the Church held three services from the 0700 to 0800 hours, 0900 to 1000 hours and from the 1100 to 1200 hours, with not more than 100 persons.
The GNA also observed that lectern and microphones at the Church were sanitized after every single use, while children’s service was unavailable.
The Most Reverend Dr. Paul Kwabena Boafo, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana, while addressing the Church, commended it for strictly adhering to the COVID-19 protocols and encouraged other churches to emulate their example.
He said it was important for all Christians to thank God for making it possible for the Church to be able to congregate again, even though the citizenry were affected greatly psychologically, socially, religiously and physically.
He also commended government for its efforts in the management of the COVID-19, saying, “Although the numbers of COVID-19 cases keep rising, we want to put on record the sterling leadership by the government in the management of the respiratory disease with its consistent approach to control the spread and reduce its impact of the citizenry.”
The Presiding Bishop appealed to the public not to dispute the existence of the COVID-19 especially in the country, saying ‘it is real’, and advised them to comply with the safety protocols to stay safe and healthy.
Most. Rev. Boafo said although the Methodist Church had officially began operations, some of the branches were yet to open as they had not put in place all the safety measures to fully protect their congregants.
He commended front line health workers for their support at the forefront of the COVID-19 fight.
The Right Reverend Professor Joseph M. Y. Edusa-Eyison, the Diocesan Bishop of the Church, delivering a sermon on the theme, “Reward for Being Hospital” as taken from Genesis 18: 1-15, called on Christians to show love and compassion to all including; strangers, especially in the COVID-19 period when times were challenging.
He encouraged all to be hospitable to persons in need through various means such as giving them a ‘beautiful smile’, words of encouragement and offering of support.
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