From June 7, 2020, some churches in Suzhou, Jiangsu resumed Sunday services after months-long closure due to COVID-19. Beginning with last Sunday, all the churches in the city had been reopened. Except for Sunday services, all other meetings, gatherings, and group activities remain suspended.
The 51 meter-tall lakeside Dushu Lake Church held its first Sunday service since the lockdown began on service on June 7.
The pastoral staff, administrative board, and volunteers arrived at the church in advance to prepare for the service. According to their reservations, believers queued at a distance of one meter from each other, had their health codes scanned, and their temperature checked before entering the church.
The congregation took their seats according to their reservation numbers. More than 700 people attended two services.
On the same day, Shishan Church had an attendance of 474 for two services. The church held a communion service and on offering was also taken.
Six churches in Wujiang District were reopened.
On June 13 and 14, a speaker preached a sermon entitled, “Humble before the Most High God” in Gongxiang Church.
“I’m grateful for God’s grace that the first worship service in Gongxiang Church since the pandemic was held in an orderly and peaceful way. We will continue to take prevention measures and treasure the valuable opportunity of worshiping God in the holy temple,” said a co-worker.
- Translated by Karen Luo
疫情防控常态化之下 苏州地区各教堂恢复主日崇拜
自6月7日起，在苏州地区已有教会恢复主日崇拜，到6月14日全市各教堂基本开放，聚会点、周间聚会、堂内堂外小组线下活动暂不恢复。
据苏州市基督教两会官网报道，6月1日，苏州市基督教两会就开始筹备礼拜恢复活动工作，在独墅湖堂召开了市属场所负责同工会议。
会上，市基督教两会主席何介苗牧师传达了市宗教局召开的相关会议精神，确保防疫安全，逐步有序恢复教会活动。
他特别强调“五个要”：要讲好一堂爱国主义的课，做好升国旗仪式；要开展一次风险评估；要做好相关安全检查工作；要认真落实系列防控措施；要做好应急预案。
6月5日，独墅湖堂在园区民宗部门及疫情防控领导小组的督查验收通过；6月7日，该堂迎来了自1月24日起因新冠肺炎疫情关闭场所、暂停活动后的首次礼拜。
当天，牧者、堂委执事及义工提前到教堂做好准备，信徒们根据公众号预约的场次按时到场，按照一米线距离等候排队，经过苏城码核对、测体温合格后有序入场、对号入座、参加聚会。
当天举行了两场礼拜，共计700多人参加。
6月7日，狮山堂也进行了恢复礼拜后的第一个主日崇拜。
为此提前储备了充足的防疫物资，制定了防疫工作流程，采取了预约限流、实名登记、佩戴口罩、出示绿码、按号就坐、有序退场、及时消毒等防疫措施。
崇拜当天，讲员以《忠仆挪亚》为题进行证道，同时举行了圣餐礼和奉献礼。
此次聚会分为两场，共474人参加。
6月2日，张家港市基督教三自爱国运动委员会组织各堂制定了工作预案、应急预案，筹备防疫物资等。
经市民宗局、疫情防控中心、所属区镇验收，审核批复后，6月7日下午，杨舍基督教新堂和大新基督教堂有序恢复崇拜，全市其余教堂于6月14日开放。
6月7日，吴江区基督教堂举行了因新冠疫情暂停活动后的首场礼拜，该区共有6个教堂首先恢复聚会。
区爱国会主席张林妹长老检查和指导首次恢复礼拜场所的防疫流程、物质准备等情况，要求教堂本着为弟兄姊妹身心健康负责的原则，继续做好各项防控措施，保障聚会有序开展。
6月7日，在经过防疫准备并审查合格后，常熟市基督教堂有序恢复了主日聚会。
该堂在恢复主日聚会前召开同工会议，学习加强防疫意识、进行疫情期间应急突发情况演练，并做好复堂防疫预案。
认真学习苏州市民宗局下达的宗教场所有序恢复开放的文件清单，严格按照文件要求自检自查；对场所进行全面卫生防疫消杀，做好安全检查工作；并配备口罩、测温仪、消毒液、洗手液等疫情防护物资。
6月13-14日，宫巷基督教堂恢复崇拜，讲员以《在至高神面前降卑》为题证道。
“感谢上帝的恩典，疫情以来宫巷堂首次崇拜平安有序进行。
我们将会继续做好疫情防控的各项工作，珍惜这来之不易的在圣殿敬拜上帝的机会。”
该堂一位同工表示。
常态化防疫之下，我们继续仰望上帝、因信前行。
苏州市基督教两会网站曾发过一篇文章《面对新冠肺炎疫情》，作者劝勉信徒“不要怕，只要信”，希望大家凭着信心，靠着神的大能，勇敢面对。
同时，也要科学地认知病毒的传播方式和传播途径，做好个人及家庭防护，有效避免感染的风险。
他还分享，信徒们需要在神和人面前，有一个负责任的生活态度，并在灾难中求神加添我们的爱心，效法基督，以舍己的爱去爱众人。
From June 7, 2020, some churches in Suzhou, Jiangsu resumed Sunday services after months-long closure due to COVID-19. Beginning with last Sunday, all the churches in the city had been reopened. Except for Sunday services, all other meetings, gatherings, and group activities remain suspended.
The 51 meter-tall lakeside Dushu Lake Church held its first Sunday service since the lockdown began on service on June 7.
The pastoral staff, administrative board, and volunteers arrived at the church in advance to prepare for the service. According to their reservations, believers queued at a distance of one meter from each other, had their health codes scanned, and their temperature checked before entering the church.
The congregation took their seats according to their reservation numbers. More than 700 people attended two services.
On the same day, Shishan Church had an attendance of 474 for two services. The church held a communion service and on offering was also taken.
Six churches in Wujiang District were reopened.
On June 13 and 14, a speaker preached a sermon entitled, “Humble before the Most High God” in Gongxiang Church.
“I’m grateful for God’s grace that the first worship service in Gongxiang Church since the pandemic was held in an orderly and peaceful way. We will continue to take prevention measures and treasure the valuable opportunity of worshiping God in the holy temple,” said a co-worker.
- Translated by Karen Luo
All Churches in Suzhou Reopened
