Churches across Griffith are looking forward to a return to 'normal' services after a difficult two years of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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At Saint Albans Anglican Parish, Reverend Gemma Le Mesurier said the time had been an 'emotional rollercoaster' for both the clergy and congregation.
Services made the transition to online, phone trees set up to keep the church connected and even social media posts were utilised to keep the congregation involved.
"Our Dean Father Thomas took photos of a candle in his window, sharing it on the church Facebook page and had many parishioners light their own candles to join him," Reverand Le Mesurier said.
According to Reverand Le Mesurier, the singing of hymns during services had been sorely missed.
"We were very sad when our choir and congregation could no longer sing," Reverand Le Mesurier said.
"In a liturgical year there are different church seasons, some are joyful and celebratory and others solemn so without the hymns it becomes very similar ever week and you stop living that journey.
"So we are very much looking forward to singing again, it will make a big difference."
The way the church gave communion also kept the clergy on its toes.
"Normally we have a communal cup of red wine but with COVID we had to stop drinking out of the cup directly," Reverand Le Mesurier said.
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Weddings and funerals have also proven difficult with capacity limits but the church has done what they can to accommodate.
For funerals, speakers have been set up outside of the church where mourners unable to come inside can pay their respects from the grass area directly out front.
"I think the most challenging thing will continue to be the worry about turning people away," Reverand Le Mesurier said.
"Everyone is welcome, valued and loved here and we are a church that is there for people however rules for unvaccinated people complicate things and will make it difficult to plan for future services."
Currently, singing can resume in churches from November 21 on the condition that no attendees are unvaccinated.
"This complicates things but we don't want to turn anyone anyone away," Reverand Le Mesurier said.
We can only hope that as NSW moves closer and closer to a 'COVID normal' life and vaccination rates continue to climb that church services across the community can go ahead at full capacity.
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