“Returning to worship after surgery?”

I recognize that returning to worship services can be a highly personal decision. I would not recommend attending services in person at a house of worship unless they follow CDC recommendations which include both masks and social distancing, and until two weeks after you have received your second shot of vaccine, when you will have achieved maximal immunity.

The surgery does not affect your susceptibility to COVID. Masks help reduce transmission, but social distancing is highly recommended.
I hope you will be well soon!

I do not know the rate of COVID-19 in your community, but you must socially distance if you are going to be with people for any time. Masks help, but are not perfect. I can see you passing by the pastor going or leaving services, but that is a short encounter and if both are wearing masks, likely of little risk. However if you are sitting next to persons in your pew and there are others in front of and behind you, that situation is generally for 20 minutes or much longer, so not socially distancing is not safe.
As far as your knee is concerned, that should have no bearing on your return to worship services, but that is up to you and your surgeon.