Worship Service Update

Beloved in Christ,

I am writing to inform you about changes to our safety guidelines that will be effective from the 30th of May. We will maintain our current guidelines for this Pentecost Sunday and make the change the following Sunday. Trinity Sunday will mark a turn to a new liturgical season and hopefully a new season of this pandemic.

These new guidelines aim to keep us safe while allowing individuals to make decisions about what is comfortable for them for worship. These guidelines will, per Bishop Cole’s request, ‘make space both for fully vaccinated persons and for those who are not yet vaccinated.’ I want to encourage all of you to get vaccinated as soon as you are able so that we can get closer to a time when we can worship together fully.

From Trinity Sunday (May 30) we will offer two services in the morning at 8:00 and 10:30.

At the 8:00 service we will require that everyone in attendance remain masked throughout the service. Social distancing will be observed by all present. Communion will be received in one kind. Attendance will be limited to those who register beforehand through the website or by calling the office Tuesday to Friday. This service will be for those who are uncomfortable being in an environment where people are unmasked.

At the 10:30 service masks will be encouraged but not required for those who are vaccinated. People who have not been vaccinated will be required to wear a mask unless prevented by other health concerns. Given that this will be a group with vaccinated and unvaccinated people, we still ask that social distancing be observed by all present. Communion will still be given in one kind. For the moment we will continue to refrain from congregational singing. Initially, attendance will be limited to those who register beforehand through the website or by calling the office Tuesday to Friday.

We will not be continuing the afternoon service from Trinity Sunday. If you are uncomfortable attending either of the morning services, please let me know so that a time can be arranged for you to receive communion or to celebrate a home communion.

For the time being our Sunday Adult Education will continue to be hosted by Zoom. If you would like to make use of Fox Hall to participate in Adult Education between services please let me know so that we can make adequate provision for you. As of now it does not seem prudent for us to offer any formal hospitality in conjunction with services. The sacrament of coffee hour will need to wait a bit longer. We are currently evaluating how and when singing will be reintroduced into church.

The 10:30 service will continue to live-streamed via Facebook.

We are moving into a time when our children will be the most vulnerable as they are currently ineligible for the vaccine. My hope is that we will be able to provide a time and place for them to gather safely at church. In the meantime, I ask that you would be sure to maintain appropriate distance and masking protocols when around any children at church.

Guidelines effective May 30, 2021:

8:00 am: Masks required for all. Social Distancing observed. Communion in one kind. Attendance limited to those registered.

10:30 am: Attendees masked or vaccinated. Social Distancing observed. Communion in one kind. Attendance limited to those registered.

I want to thank you for your patience, your endurance, and your hope during this time. I pray that we are moving closer and closer to a time we can be together fully.

I will update you as we continue to make changes to these guidelines.

Please feel free to be in touch with me about any questions you have concerning these new guidelines.

–Fr. Will