Worshippers will say a silent hallelujah at Kirkcudbright on Sunday when the parish church hosts its first service in months.
Singing will be banned and physical distancing observed – but the prospect of meeting socially again has lifted spirits.
Session clerk Ivor Waddell said special safety protocols would be in place with numbers strictly limited.
The congregation has been holding services via Zoom since April 2020 when the first lockdown came into force.
Mr Waddell told the News: “We have got to have a booking system because there is a maximum of 50 people allowed.
“We are putting a note out to say if folk want to be sure of a seat they will have to let me know beforehand.
“The pews have been marked out with red crosses two metres apart where people are to sit.
“We will also have a one-way system and face coverings must be worn during the service.
“No bibles will be provided and everything will be on a big screen.”
The congregation has relied on Zoom for worship throughout the pandemic.
That continued even when the church temporarily reopened between August and early January.
“Attendances for the online Zoom services have been as high as 55,” Mr Waddell said.
“Many people stayed on after the service for a coffee and a chat. The social side of things has been important as well.
“We now have the equipment to allow us to use Zoom live from the church for those who prefer that.
“However, a lot of folk are keen to get back in the church for Easter Sunday.”
According to Mr Waddell, the drawbacks of a spaced seating regime and hymn singing ban will be more than offset by the joy of getting back together.
“We are all delighted,” he said. “Hopefully this time it will be for good.
“Nobody can be really sure that we will be back permanently.
“But with the vaccination programme and cases going down we are very hopeful.
“It’s a new beginning for our congregation.”
Sunday’s service will be held at the earlier time of 10am.
Those arrangements will remain in place “for the immediate future”, Mr Waddell said.
