WESTERN MASS. – The holiday season has traditionally been a time when local houses of worship see a significant uptick in attendance, especially for Christmas Eve and Christmas day celebrations.

This year, however, presents a significant challenge as communities continue to encourage social distancing and other safe practices as the country continues to gain control of the coronavirus pandemic.

Gov. Charlie Baker recently announced a shift back to step 1 of phase 3 of the commonwealth’s reopening plan further constricting churches’ ability to minister to congregations in a traditional fashion.

Unable to fill the pews to anything more than 40 percent of capacity, local churches say they are trying to be creative in order to offer their faith communities a safe and satisfying way to celebrate the holiday.

Mark Dupont, secretary of communications for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, said there was not a one-size-fits-all approach to celebrating the holiday.

“We have issued guidance to our parishes, but this is something that is best handled on the local parish level,” Dupont said. “They know their situations better than anybody, especially when it comes to space, and that’s where things tend to vary.”

Addressing the capacity limitations, he said the vast majority of parishes have been operating well below those thresholds due to 6-foot social distancing guidance for those parishioners not of the same household.

“We say 40 percent capacity, but in reality, most don’t get to 30 percent,” he said.

In addition to adhering to the state’s guidelines and restrictions on capacity, mask-wearing, social distancing and cleaning, the diocese has expanded the time during which Christmas masses can be celebrated.

“Normally, masses on Christmas eve cannot begin before 4 p.m., but we have expanded it to 3 p.m., which is allowing parishes to add more masses to their schedule to ensure the faithful have the opportunity to worship,” he said.

Additionally, some parishes have instituted reservation systems, asking parishioners to sign up for specific masses in advance to ensure churches remain below capacity limits. Some parishes plan to conduct masses simultaneously in the church and additional spaces such as parish halls or community rooms to allow more people to attend in a safe manner. Many parishes have already been using FM modulators that allow churchgoers to listen to mass in their car in the parking lot. Some also provide livestreams of their masses.

A listing of parishes’ schedules and mass information is available on diospringfield.org.

Rev. Bruce Arbour of First United Methodist Church in Westfield said during Advent, the church has conducted weekly services live-streamed on Facebook Live with limited in-person attendance, estimating approximately 18 people. Services are also broadcasted to the church parking lot so members of the congregation can sit in their cars and listen as well. The church is also offering a small, socially-distanced Sunday school program.

For Christmas Eve, Arbour said they plan to conduct an outdoor service on the front lawn. All in attendance would be expected to socially distance and wear masks. As part of its Christmas festivities, the church also hosts an annual Christmas star lighting in which members of the community light candles to illuminate the star.

“Given our situation, I am still trying to figure out how to do that this year,” he said. “It’s a really powerful and symbolic moment.”

The Christmas celebration will also be livestreamed on Facebook Live. For more information on upcoming events at First United Methodist Church, visit www.umcwestfield.org.

In the event of inclement weather, Arbour said the church would try to be creative, adding they have been successful in remaining connected through various means including Bible study groups on Zoom, Thursday sing-alongs with the church’s music director on Facebook, and continued service at the local soup kitchen.

“Even though we might not be able to gather as we once did, our ministry has never been closed. People still have needs and we try to minister to them as best we can,” he said.

He added, “We’re really just trying to figure out the safest way possible to do this because safety is the most important thing. As we say, wherever we are, God meets us in that place.”

Christ Lutheran Church (CLC) in Southwick is “planning a beautiful Christmas season this year, capped by our joyful, heartfelt Christmas Eve candlelight services,” according to Rev. Jeff King.

CLC will offer a 5 p.m. children’s service as well as candlelight services at 7, 8:30 and 10 p.m.

King added that those in attendance “will be treated to an amazing experience, complete with a live band and a gentle snowfall, as strategically placed snow machines give attenders a ‘white Christmas.” He noted safety measures would be in place, including social distancing, face masks, restructured seating, and contact-free worship.

“We want all attenders to feel safe, comfortable, and cared for,” King said.

Additionally, Christmas Eve services will be offered virtually on Facebook, YouTube and www.clcsouthwick.org.

“While 2020 has been a difficult year for all of us, we’ve seen God bring many good things out of the experience.  We now reach many more people on a weekly basis than ever before through our online “Christ Virtual Church” community,” King said.

Easthampton Congregational Church is among those that will not offer an in-person Christmas service. Instead, the community is being invited to worship remotely with a special Christmas Eve service on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/holydove100 at 5:30 p.m.

ECC had provided some in-person services during the summer with social distancing and masks in its large courtyard and in its sanctuary when the weather turned colder in October, but the church pivoted to continuing its ministry virtually through YouTube and Zoom when cases in the city began to rise, according to Rev. Sherry Tucker.

“Although we are worshiping in our homes for safety reasons, we stay connected through Zoom, church emails, letters, our newsletter, prayers, and Facebook,” Tucker said. “Luckily, the Holy Spirit is the original Wi-Fi which can keep us connected.”

Online, the church has uploaded worship services every Sunday morning, offered a weekly fellowship hour via Zoom and virtual Bible study on Wednesdays. Tucker added the congregation remains connected through its community service and outreach, pointing to the annual Christmas tree sale the church took over from the local Kiwanis Club and food distribution at its Food Cupboard.

“We are looking forward to the time when we can once again gather in our Sanctuary, and we are carefully following the Covid cases to determine when that will be. We want to worship and fellowship together, whether that be on-line or in person, and anyone and everyone is welcome to join us,” she said.