Courtesy photo People gather in a courtyard behind Central United Methodist Church’s building for an outdoor worship service recently.

ESCANABA — This summer, some local churches have resumed in-person worship while adhering to social distancing guidelines by moving their services outside.

At Wellspring Community Church, outdoor worship services have been taking place for approximately a month. Lead Pastor Paul Culbertson said these services were introduced as a way for Wellspring to offer in-person worship while avoiding the space constraints associated with its location at the Delta Plaza Mall.

“We’d only be able to fit about 50 people in the sanctuary,” he said of the number of worshippers that would be able to attend indoor worship at Wellspring under current social distancing guidelines.

Because of this, the church decided to hold services at the Karas Bandshell in Ludington Park. Culbertson said these services have gotten off to a good start.

“It was just awesome to see everybody face-to-face,” he said.

On average, about 150 people have been attending the outdoor services. An additional 100 people or so have been watching them online.

“As time goes by, hopefully more people feel more comfortable coming out,” Culbertson said.

In the interest of safety, sanitization stations and masks are available at Wellspring’s outdoor services. Social distancing guidelines are also being observed.

“We’ve been really clear on the guidelines,” Culbertson said.

Central United Methodist Church has been holding services outside, as well. Pastor Elise Low Edwardson said her church held its first outdoor service of the summer on Sunday, June 14 and is planning to continue these services for the rest of the season.

“I thought it went really well,” she said of the June 14 service.

The church’s outdoor services are being held in a courtyard behind the church building, located at 322 S. Lincoln Rd., Escanaba.

“Folks have been bringing lawn chairs and setting up there,” Edwardson said.

In previous years, Central United Methodist Church held outdoor services by the beach in Ludington Park during the summer months.

“Outdoor services aren’t new to us,” Edwardson said.

The church’s outdoor services were moved to the courtyard this summer to allow for the use of sound equipment and so services could be broadcast on the radio. Along with these broadcasts, the church is continuing to offer remote worship via livestream for those who do not feel comfortable attending worship in person.

“We’re still able to have multiple ways for folks to connect,” Edwardson said.

Like Wellspring, Edwardson said Central United Methodist Church is taking precautions to protect the safety of worshippers.

“(We’ve) still got our measures in place to make it as safe as possible to gather together,” she said.

Edwardson said she is glad her church has been able to offer in-person worship during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We love having a space for folks to be able to come together … to worship God, and all are welcome,” she said.