Last Sunday, a few state-run churches in China resumed on-site services as local authorities published notices saying that religious places of worship would be reopened at set times.
A megachurch in Zhejiang Province - Hangzhou Chongyi Church, held four Sunday services. However, other weekly gatherings remain suspended.
Chengbei Church, another church in Hangzhou, conducted five services on Sunday. The first two services were limited to senior citizens who needed to first register online. Attendance at these two services was limited to less than 100. The other services were attended by people of all ages with a limit of 260 in each service.
The sermons were broadcast on WeChat.
The congregation of Suzhou Dushu Lake Church in Jiangsu has been allowed to make a reservation on Friday. The church has opened two Sunday services.
The Ningbo Church in Zhejiang hosted two Communion services on Sunday. It plans to hold Communion services this week so that every member can receive the bread and the wine. Meanwhile, the online catechism class has been changed and will be taught in the church.
A church in Jiangning, Nanjing, Jiangsu returned to Sunday services on the same day. At 7 in the morning, attendees began to have their temperature taken, their health codes scanned, and have their hands disinfected before entering the main hall. The service started at 8:30 am.
Before reopening, a church in Suzhou launched online instructions for attending Sunday services. It recorded a simulation video about reserving seats and how to enter the sanctuary.
It is estimated that many other churches will open to the public on June 14.
