COVID Protocols Update March 2022
10 am Service ONLY
Dear Friends in Christ,
This week we arrive at the 2-year anniversary of the initial lockdown and our long journey in the COVID-19 desert. From the beginning, we have said that we will never regret being too cautious and having as our central shared value that in loving our neighbor, we will do what we can to protect each other from harm.
We may feel weary from all our precautions over the last two years; and just this week the City has loosened masking and vaccination requirements - some of us may be rejoicing, but some of us may be nervous and anxious.
Bishop Provenzano has issued his updated directive on COVID-19 protocols, leaving it to the discretion of the priests-in-charge to make the decision about what is best for our individual parishes taking into consideration our communities. On Sunday, March 6th, we met with the members of the Bishop’s Committee to discuss how to move forward in light of low infection numbers in the City, high vaccination rates in our community, the comfort of the community and recognizing that Easter Sunday is our highest attended service of the year.
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We will move SLOWLY with a transition for the 10 am service;
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Our target date for MASK OPTIONAL is April 24th, the week after Easter Sunday – we will make a decision the week before based upon numbers;
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Starting March 13th readers, soloist, preacher and presider will have the option of removing their mask while they are at the lectern and the altar; clergy will remain masked while distributing communion and offering prayers and blessings;
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Our youth will be masked for their participation in the Lenten art project with Traci;
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Coffee hour will continue outside;
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Masks continue to be optional outside.
We understand that we all have strong feelings about masking, and we may not agree - to be the church, we don’t have to agree, and no one has to ‘win.’ One of the many wonderful attributes of the Episcopal Church is that we can hold a wide spectrum of beliefs and still sit side by side in worship and on journey together in Christ. It makes us stronger and more loving.
We are, as always, here to answer any questions and talk. If you have strong feelings, we really encourage you to reach out to us so we can talk – it is better for us to talk than to have any of us sitting with strong feelings. You can reach us at the church Tues-Wed-Thurs typically from 9-4 (if we don't answer, leave a message and we will call you back) 718-871-1615.
Faithfully yours,
The Mothers