Brady's Roadhouse

Upper Room opened the chapel for in-person attendance Feb. 14. Students are required to wear face masks and sit individually. Although the team hopes that the number of students allowed to attend will increase to 75-100 students, only 50 are allowed to attend.

To help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, no Bibles or service pamphlets will be made available, and to ensure physical distancing, blue tape has been placed in every pew marking the available seats. Waynesburg University Chaplain Josh Sumpter said these guidelines have been effective.

“It worked really well in the fall; I think students really respected it, and they understood why we were doing it,” Sumpter said. 

Not only are attendees following guidelines, but the worship team is as well.

The team has been physically distancing during practice and worship.

“We always keep our masks on, even while we are singing and all the instrumentalists always have their masks on,” said Upper Room vocalist Josh Hughes.

Each microphone is placed 6 to 10 feet apart. Members all keep their masks on during practice, and during performance, unless they are singing. After instrument and microphone use, the team disinfects the equipment, Sumpter said.

Before students were allowed to physically attend the services, Upper Room live-streamed performances on their YouTube account. The team plans to keep the live-stream as a viewing option.

Students can reserve a seat on MyConnect under the chapel bulletin board. Students interested in watching virtual services can visit the Upper Room YouTube account at Waynesburg University Upper Room. 

Upper Room also posts content on their Instagram and Twitter account at WU_UpperRoom. To keep the whole University up to date, Sumpter sends weekly emails to all students about events that will be taking place that week. All services take place on Sundays at 8 p.m. in the chapel.