The largest church in Alabama will be resuming in-person worship this weekend.

The Church of the Highlands, led by Pastor Chris Hodges, announced this week that in-person worship will resume on Sunday, August 2, at the more than 20 locations it occupies across Alabama.

Socially distanced seating and masks will be offered to each individual attending, but neither will be required.

All Highlands staff members will be wearing face coverings, and strict sanitation protocols have been put in place, according to the church.

Seating will be provided on a first come first served basis, and a reservation will not be required.

Highlands’ famed nursery/preschool programs will be taking an additional week off before resuming on Sunday, August 9.

Governor Kay Ivey allowed churches to reopen on May 11 after being closed for several weeks as a coronavirus precaution. Many parishes have opened in the weeks since, but others have been wary of doing so.

Most denominations have turned over the reopening decision to local faith leaders but some, like the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, still require all their member congregations to keep their doors closed.

The Church of the Highlands is urging any person with pre-existing conditions or another factor that puts them at high risk for COVID-19 to continue worshipping online.

The organization is also asking anyone who has received a positive COVID-19 test, or anyone who is currently experiencing symptoms, to not attend in-person services.

Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95