In response to social distancing policies resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak, the following religious organizations have either temporarily closed and shifted to virtual worship services or have reopened and modified onsite services to conform to safety guidelines. To report a change in worship services, contact zip06@shorepublishing.com.

Chester

• Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek, 55 East Kings Highway, Chester. It is the policy of CBSRZ to follow guidelines at least as strict as those currently proposed by the CBSRZ COVID-19 Medical Advisory Council established to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Until further notice, the guidelines specified in the congregation’s website are to be followed by CBSRZ, except that there will be no religious services conducted in the CBSRZ building other than the B. Mitzvahs, pre-B. Mitzvah Shabbat, and Confirmation Shabbat services scheduled for this spring, which may continue in line with these guidelines. For more information, including details of the guidelines, visit cbsrz.org.

• St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, 48 Middlesex Avenue, Chester. In-person Masses have resumed for both weekdays and weekends. Weekday Masses are celebrated as follows: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 14 Prospect Street, Essex, and on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 8:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, 48 Middlesex Avenue, Chester. Weekend Masses are celebrated as follows: Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church in Chester and on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and noon at Our Lady of Sorrows in Essex. Parishioners are required to follow several safety protocols, including wearing masks and maintaining the regular six-feet social distancing policy. Note that the dispensation from the Sunday obligation has been extended until further notice. Parishioners can join the livestream Masses until the dispensation is lifted. Livestream Sunday Masses can be viewed on YouTube up to two weeks later. For religious education, parents must fill out an online form with options for virtual, in-person, or hybrid sessions. For more information, including the links, visit stteresaofcalcuttaparish.org.

• The United Church of Chester, 29 West Main Street. Livestream Sunday worship is available at 10 a.m. via Facebook. To join, visit facebook.com/UnitedChurchOfChester. For more information, visit uccchester.org/index.php.

Deep River

• First Congregational Church, 1 Church Street, Deep River. The church reopened the sanctuary for Sunday worship at 10 a.m. Worship services follow Phase 2 guidelines. There will be a maximum of 25 people at the weekly service, not including the minister, organist, lay reader, usher/greeters, and the livestream operators. Those who wish to worship in person are asked to call or email the church office by noon on Fridays; a staff member will return the call or email to confirm. In-person worship also requires safety protocols such as wearing face masks, sanitizing hands, and following social distancing guidelines. For those who prefer to worship online, visit deeprivercc.org/livestream.html. For more information, call the church office, 860-526-5045 or visit deeprivercc.org.

• Winthrop Baptist Church, 444 Winthrop Road, Deep River. In-person Sunday worship services at 10 a.m. have resumed in the sanctuary and on the first Sunday of each month, Communion will be served safely. Social distancing and face coverings are required and free face masks and hand sanitizer are available. The services will also be broadcast live on Facebook and posted on the church website. To join, visit facebook.com/winthropbaptist. For more information, visit winthropbaptist.org.

Essex

• All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 129 Main Street, Ivoryton. In-church services have been suspended. Weekly sermons are available online. Sunday morning prayer is offered via Zoom at 10 a.m. For more information, including the sermons and readings, visit allsaintsivoryton.org or facebook.com/allsaintsivoryton.

• First Baptist Church in Essex, 10 Prospect Street. Worship and prayer services are available online. Midday prayer from noon to 12:30 p.m. takes place from Monday through Thursday via Zoom. In addition, Sunday worship service is held via Zoom at 10 a.m. To join the worship services, contact Pastor Joy Perkett, 860-581-0493 or revjperkett@gmail.com for the Zoom details. For more information, visit fbcinessex.org.

• First Congregational Church in Essex, 6 Methodist Hill. Weekly worship service is available online. For more information, including links to weekly worship and sermons, visit essexucc.org.


• St. John’s Episcopal Church, 3 Cross Street, Essex. The church has resumed its in-person Sunday services at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday school is also available via Zoom at 10:30 a.m. In addition, the church holds weekday morning prayer at 10 a.m. and contemplative prayer at 5 p.m. via Zoom. For more information or to join an online worship service, visit stjohnsessex.org or facebook.com/StJohnsEssex.

• Trinity Lutheran Church, 109 Main Street, Centerbrook. In-person Sunday worship has resumed for the 8 and 10 a.m. services. For those attending in-person, protocols will be followed such as wearing a face mask and practicing social distancing. For those who prefer online worship, Sunday services are still available online and posted on the church’s YouTube or Facebook page. For more information, including the link for the livestream worship service, visit facebook.com/TrinityLutheranCenterbrook.