By Samantha Nelson— Cody, Wyoming… After months of closure, the Cody Seventh-day Adventist Church re-opened on May 30 for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic forced churches and other establishments to lock up their places of worship. The group of attendees on this first Sabbath back in operation was excited and happy to return to the house of the Lord to worship together. Even though social distancing guidelines were in place, there was a warm and friendly atmosphere and a genuine joy to be together again. It felt like a family reunion!
The church prepared for its re-opening by thoroughly cleaning on Friday, using antiseptic wipes on everything frequently used or touched on Sabbath morning. Masks were provided for those who wanted them, hand sanitizer was available, hymnals and Bibles were stored away, and leadership had their temperatures checked upon arrival to make sure none of them had a fever. Chairs in the sanctuary were spaced appropriately for social distancing guidelines and people sat in family groups.
Sabbath School continued as an online Zoom meeting, and potluck was not held. The sermon was streamed as usual—something done for years. Many of the church members were already accustomed to worshiping online, so this was an easier transition than other churches might have experienced. Online attendance is quite good and representative of people from the local area as well as throughout the U.S. who tune in to hear God’s Word through streaming video or on the local radio station KODI.
Members were notified through text or email about the re-opening. While the number of attendees was 17, versus the usual 25-30, there were some visitors who joined us. One member brought a guest who had not attended the church previously and he seemed to be blessed by the warm congregational welcome and the message given by Pastor Steve Nelson. Another guest showed up after having contacted the head elder, Troy Jeffers, and she appeared to enjoy getting to know everyone and being part of a church family. She is a Sabbath-keeper and happens to live just a couple blocks from the church. Everyone was happy to see Gib Lehman, retired former head elder, back at church after 105 days. Gib had a stroke in February, shortly before the quarantines and lockdowns began, and he expressed his joy at being able to worship at church again after such a long time away.
All in all, it was a beautiful Sabbath day, made much brighter and more joyful by the opportunity to be together again, even though things were not completely back to “normal.”
–Samantha Nelson is a pastor’s wife and co-founder/CEO of The Hope of Survivors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting victims of clergy sexual abuse and educating clergy and congregations. She writes from Clark, Wyoming. Photo supplied
