Religious leaders decide to keep doors closed as Phase 2 begins

Places of worship will be allowed to reopen with a on Wednesday but with only 25 percent occupancy, as part of New York’s Phase 2 reopening. Although the reopening is a sign of New York returning to life, religious institutions of Oyster Bay and Glen Cove are wary.

First Presbyterian Church of Oyster Bay

 Before reopening, Jeffrey F. Prey, the pastor of First Presbyterian said that the church wishes to wait until they are fully prepared to share in-person services online. This will allow those who are unable to attend services to still participate.

“We kind of decided in this stage in the game that we would lose more if we tried to meet in person because not everybody could be here than what we have gained by meeting on Zoom,” Prey said. “So, we are just going to continue the Zoom experience and add to it.”

Until the older members are able to participate safely outside of Zoom, the church’s doors will remain closed. “We do not want to have to say that we have opened the door, but they are closed to you,” Prey said.

North Shore Community Church in Oyster Bay

 North Shore Community Church will not be reopening immediately with in-person services either. “We will not be the first church to reopen and we won’t be the last. Twenty-five percent is pretty small,” said Dr. John Yenchko, the church’s pastor. “We realize for many people that it will be a cautious reentry into the assembly. We also know that many people are very eager to get back.”

First Baptist Church of Glen Cove

 Rev. Roger C. Williams, pastor of First Baptist Church, has also decided to wait. “We really would like to kind of wait and see if there was some consistency with the decrease in infections,” he said. “We are going to remain virtual at least through the month of June.”

 Congregation Tifereth Israel in Glen Cove

 Leaders of Congregation Tifereth Israel will be monitoring the progress of the state for now. “We will remain closed because we are airing on the side the health of our congregants,” Rabbi Irwin Huberman said. The closure will continue until leaders see that the current downward trends are holding.

Rabbi Huberman added that the congregation appears to be satisfied with remaining online. “There has not been a ground swell of demand to reopen,” he said. “We just want to make sure that there are no risks.”