Due to several different factors — most notably, the vaccine— the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly improved across the United States, in New York City, and in our ward. (See current data on the pandemic within ward boundaries on our reopening dashboard.)
Thanks to this vaccination effort, and under the direction of the stake and area presidencies, the Jamaica 1st Ward has been authorized to resume in-person second-hour meetings. The bishopric and ward council, in consultation with the stake presidency, have set Sunday 6 June 2021 as the date these meetings will begin taking place in person again.
Updates
25 May 2021: Clarification added that streaming second-hour meetings is not prohibited, but that streams will not be available through the ward’s Zoom account and that organizations will be responsible for doing it on their own; meeting location for Aaronic Priesthood quorums updated.
5 June 2021: Meeting location for Young Women, room 401 (4th floor), added. Meeting location for Haitian Creole adult Sunday School class, room 403 (4th floor), added.
11 June 2021: Meeting location for adult Sunday School class (English) changed to chapel (2nd floor) until further notice to help maintain appropriate physical distancing.
9 July 2021: The last date for streaming sacrament meeting via Zoom updated to 11 July 2021. COVID-19 guidelines updated and expanded. List of meeting locations removed from this page with a link to the main meeting locations page to ensure current meeting locations are displayed.
Meeting times
With this adjustment, times for Sunday church meetings will change:
| 9.00–10.00am | Sacrament meeting |
| 10.10–11.00am | Second-hour meetings |
Live streaming
Sacrament meeting: Sacrament meeting will continue to be streamed via Zoom through Sunday 11 July 2021. Sacrament meeting will no longer be streamed after this date.
Second-hour meetings: Second-hour meetings will no longer be streamed online. Clarification: Individual members or organizations are welcome to stream meetings using their own Zoom accounts (not the ward’s account) if they choose for those who cannot attend in person. It is not prohibited. But the bishopric will not be organizing the streaming, and streams will not be available on the ward’s Zoom account.
COVID-19 guidelines
These COVID-19 guidelines remain in place for the time being:
- Masks required: You must wear a mask over your nose and mouth at all times while in our church building whether you are vaccinated or not, unless you are speaking or praying at the pulpit or partaking of the sacrament. This includes wearing a mask while singing.
- Physical distancing: Maintain physical distancing of 6 feet (2 meters) from those not in your household. This includes sitting on alternating rows in the chapel as indicated.
- Follow signage: Follow instructions on signage throughout the building. All signage has been updated and out-of-date signage has been removed.
- If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, STAY HOME. Do not attend church meetings or other activities and put others at risk.
- Get vaccinated: Get vaccinated as soon as possible.
No registration or capacity limits
Online registration for sacrament meeting will no longer be required and the 50-person limit on sacrament meeting attendance will be lifted. (If attendance increases to the point that it is difficult to maintain physical distancing, we will reexamine capacity in sacrament and other meetings.)
Order of sacrament meeting
Throughout June, we will maintain the same order we have had for sacrament meeting, with the sacrament administered after the closing hymn. However, starting Sunday 4 July 2021, sacrament meeting will resume its normal order, with the administration of the sacrament taking place immediately following ward and stake business and before speakers or testimonies.
Authorization to administer the sacrament at home
Also on Sunday 4 July 2021, the blanket authorization for households in the Jamaica 1st Ward to administer the sacrament at home will expire. Thereafter, requests to administer the sacrament at home will be considered on a one-by-one basis each week.
Until that date, households in the ward with a member who holds the appropriate priesthood office — priest in the Aaronic Priesthood or any Melchizedek Priesthood holder — will continue to be authorized to administer the sacrament at home following these guidelines.
Hymns
With this adjustment, we will move from prerecorded hymns and return to congregational singing. At first, we will do so with prerecorded accompaniment; in July or August we will return to using the organ or piano in the chapel.
As noted above, masks should be worn while singing.
Schedule of second-hour meetings
Second-hour meetings will take place on the same schedule they followed before the pandemic (and that we have largely sought to follow over the past year):
| 1st and 3rd Sundays | Sunday School (adult in English and Haitian Creole, youth) |
| 2nd and 4th Sundays | elders quorum, Relief Society, Aaronic Priesthood quorums, and Young Women |
| Every Sunday | Primary |
Meeting locations
Most meetings will take place in the same locations as before. Note that there may be some adjustments as we consider capacity requirements. See current meeting locations »
Family home evening group
Because we are reducing the number of meetings ward members can participate in from home via streaming by half, we are considering launching a ward family home evening group. While the form of this group is subject to change, tentatively we are thinking it will be open to all ward members and will have lessons that focus on each week’s lesson in Sunday School and elders quorum and Relief Society. If you are interested in participating in such a group, please notify a member of the bishopric.
Timeline
6 June
- Second-hour in-person meetings resume
- Streaming of second-hour meetings ends
- Congregational singing in sacrament meeting resumes using prerecorded music
- Capacity limits on sacrament meeting removed
- Registration for sacrament meeting no longer required
4 July
- Sacrament meeting resumes its normal order, with the administration of the sacrament after ward and stake business
- Authorization for ward members to administer the sacrament at home ends; authorization will be considered on a one-by-one basis each week
11 July
- Streaming of sacrament meeting ends after this date
July or August
- Organ or piano accompaniment for hymns in sacrament meeting resumes
Conclusion
This summer will be a transition period back to “normal” Sunday church meetings. The goal is that by the beginning of September, barring any surprises with the pandemic or different guidance from public officials, health authorities, or church leaders, our Sunday church meetings will largely resume their prepandemic form.
However, throughout this process, we remain open to ward members’ concerns and suggestions. Please do not hesitate to speak with a member of the bishopric or ward council to express your thoughts and ideas. We hope to make this an uplifting experience for all ward members and friends and a sign that the end of the pandemic — something we have all hoped, prayed, and fasted for — is in sight.
