As we have said from the beginning, we do not want
to contribute to the existing anxiety surrounding the Coronavirus crisis, and
we have, in the last few weeks, made some real steps in moving toward keeping
our congregation safe. However, as the crisis grows, a few other safeguards
need to implemented.
Coronavirus is now a
stark reality in the United States. Just this week, the Rector of Christ
Episcopal Church in Georgetown, Virginia, came down with it, and unknowingly exposed 500 members
of his congregation. On March 11, 2020, the first official case of COVID-19 in
North Dakota was diagnosed.
We have received some
suggestions from the Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota regarding how
congregations in the Diocese should proceed. We have adapted those suggestions
to our own unique situation here at St. Stephen’s
It is also important
to remember that, in addition to Coronavirus, we are now at the peak of the Flu
season. It is just good practice to take some very definitive actions the
spread of illness at St. Stephen’s.
With that in mind, we
are asking the congregation of St. Stephen’s to do the following:
+ HOLY WATER FONTS: The holy water fonts (namely
the baptismal bowl in the narthex and the font near the sacristy) have been
emptied and disinfected and will remain empty throughout the duration of Lent.
Sand has been placed in the fonts as further reminders of our Lenten
observance.
+AT THE PEACE: Please refrain from shaking hands at
the peace or at other times (before and after Mass, for example). Waving, elbow bumps, waving the
peace sign, bowing, etc. are all perfectly acceptable in place of shaking hands
or hugging. Please use hand sanitizer after the Peace.
Fr. Jamie will not be
shaking hands either at the door before Mass or during the Peace. He will share
the “peace sign” with others, will return “elbow bumps,” bows, etc.
+ AT THE OFFERING: We will not be passing the
plates for the foreseeable future. Offering plates will be placed at the front
of the nave, where the first pews are located.
+ AT HOLY COMMUNION: We are asking that, at Holy
Communion, only the Bread be taken by the congregation.
PLEASE REMEMBER: Holy Communion in one kind (i.e,
just the Bread) is full and complete Communion in and of itself.
+COFFEE HOUR: The Vestry has decided to pare down
the existing coffee hour. Beginning this Sunday (March 15) Vestry members will
now serve the coffee hours. We will offering cookies, donuts, etc., which will
be handed out by members of the Vestry using gloves and tongs, and using
disposable utensils. Those scheduled for coffee hour during Lent are relieved
of their responsibilities until Easter.
+ HAND SANITIZER/WASHING HANDS: Please take full
advantage of the hand sanitizer in the nave and elsewhere throughout the
church. Also, please wash your hands thoroughly.
+ IF YOU ARE ILL: please refrain from coming to
church or church meetings. However, if you are unable to come to church, please
contact Fr. Jamie so he can offer you an alternative for Holy Communion (an
at-home visit) and include you in the intercessory prayers of St. Stephen’s.
+ SOCIAL ISOLATION: If you are feeling the need to
socially isolate for the sake of not being exposed or exposing others to
potential illness, please feel free to do so. However, if you do so decide,
please consider other ways to continue contact with the congregation (i.e. email,
Facebook, Twitter, etc). I will be making regular updates on the St. Stephen’s
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/52039214842/.
We are also in the beginning process of posting televised episodes of both our
Sunday and Wednesday Masses on the Facebook page.
Please also remember that these are all only temporary
changes at St. Stephen’s. We will resume our tried and true practices once the
threat is passed.
FINALLY, please be assured that there are no
plans to cancel church. We will continue to celebrate Mass on Sunday morning and
Wednesday evenings as we always have. It is our tradition as Christians that during
times of crisis, the Church and its life-giving Sacraments are places of refuge
during these hard times.
Most importantly of
all, please pray. Keep the Church, St. Stephen’s, those who have been affected
by COVID-19, our nation and all of our fellow neighbors in your daily prayers during
this time. Keep your eyes on Christ and his healing, saving, life-giving
Presence. And let us move through this uncertain time together, in spirit and
unity.
God of the present moment,
God who in Jesus stills the storm
and soothes the frantic heart;
bring hope and courage to all of us
who wait or work in uncertainty.
God who in Jesus stills the storm
and soothes the frantic heart;
bring hope and courage to all of us
who wait or work in uncertainty.
Bring
us hope that you will make us the equal
of whatever lies ahead.
of whatever lies ahead.
Bring us courage to endure what cannot be avoided,
for your will is health and wholeness;
you are God, and we need you.
for your will is health and wholeness;
you are God, and we need you.
Fr.
Jamie Parsley, Rector
Jean
Sando, Senior Warden Jessica Anderson, Junior Warden
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