Castle Douglas Parish Church has held its first service for 20 weeks.
The building had been shut for months due to the coronavirus pandemic with services taking place online instead.
A relaxing of lockdown meant parishioners could return for traditional services and around 40 of them did just that for the first one on August 9.
Rev Alison Burnside said: “It was really special to have everyone back in the building. While I’ve been doing an online Sunday service through Zoom during the time we’ve not been able to meet. It was good to be in the church worshipping with other people.
“We lit our Candle Of Hope at the start of the service for those who were not able to come along – either because they were unable to attend or perhaps are still a bit anxious about being with a large group of people.
“It’s important that we accept and respect how people are feeling. Faith is so important for people in times of trouble so it’s great that we are now able to come together and offer this support and fellowship.”
Services are now being held in the church on Queen Street at 11am on Sundays and 12noon on Thursdays. They feature prayers, readings and a sermon but hymns cannot be sung, although there is music from the church organists.
Session clerk Aileen Stoddart said: “We had had national guidance about how to layout the seating and what is required in terms of extra cleaning and the duty teams who are there to explain things and help people have had training.
Anyone who would like to come along is asked to register their name and phone number with Aileen in advance by emailing aileen3112@hotmail.com or calling 01556 502677.
