SAN ANGELO, Texas —
Churches are now allowing people back in to worship as the country slowly returns to ‘normal.’
Each house of worship is cleaning and making sure every part of the church is disinfected and wiped down.
Parishioners are asked to wear mask inside the establishment and to continue the six foot rule. However, churches are still continuing to perform baptisms for anyone asking for one.
Christoval Baptist Church Pastor Mike Dixon said no one in his congregation has asked for a baptism, but does not mean they have stopped completely.
He will help perform a baptism and will do his best to avoid any physical contact to make sure everyone is safe.
"We take precautions such as not putting the hand over the mouth, letting the person pitch their own notion possibly even using a cloth buried in the hand of the pastor," Dixon said.
The cloth idea is Dixon's way to make sure no one is touching. He will use it as way to make contact with people getting baptized and to make sure there is not touching of the face.
"Using a cloth buried in the hand of the pastor just to lay it over the top of the you know, the one that's being baptized," Dixon said "We do not want to be touching someone's face, when we bring them up."
The Diocese of San Angelo will be making changes when it comes to baptisms being done in its churches.
Diocese Director of Communication Brian Bodiford said baptisms will be performed with a few changes as well.
"All of our pews are being wiped down after every service for a baptism," Bodiford said. "We are going to change the water between each baptism ceremony that is done."
Bodiford said everyone during the baptism ceremony must wear mask, even the priest. The church will allow smaller groups to enter to be a part of the ceremony. If a family has a special request, Bodiford said the church will try to adhere to what the family wishes.
Dixon and Bodiford want the community to know both the Baptist and Catholic churches are open and willing perform baptisms.