REVISED COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR ST. STEPHEN’S.

 

May 16, 2021

7 Easter

Dear St. Stephen’s members and friends,

With the decision by the CDC on Thursday May 13 to cancel the mask mandate for full vaccinated people, we are all looking forwardly, cautiously, to the end of this very long saga of Covid in our lives.

            With that decision in mind, and in consultation with our Wardens and Vestry, I have revisited our own protocols at St. Stephen’s. These protocols are also in line with the soon-to-be-released protocols of the Diocese.  

            Please read the following revised protocols and keep them in mind as you consider coming to in-person worship at St. Stephen’s:

 

Gathering:  Masks will no longer be needed for fully vaccinated parishioners at this time. If you are not vaccinated or partially vaccinated, please continue to wear your mask at St. Stephen’s.

Singing: Congregational singing is now allowed without masks for fully vaccinated attendees.  

Passing the Peace: Please continue to use touch-free greetings.

 

Holy Communion:  We will continue our single station before the altar (no kneeling). We will continue to only provide the bread (no wine at this time). 

 

handouts: We will continue to use disposable booklets for all liturgies.

 

Food: Coffee Hour will remain suspended throughout the summer, though we are looking at ways to offer a few experimental coffee hours during the summer, including the June 20 celebration for Deacon John’s Diaconal Anniversary reception. We may plan additional coffee hours in July and August. It is our hope that we may  begin regular Coffee Hour on Dedication Sunday September 12.

 

ONLINE WORSHIP: Online worship through Livestream will continue, though we are encouraging people who are fully vaccinated to please start attending in-person worship if able.  

 

Vaccinations: I cannot stress the importance of vaccines. If you have not been vaccinated, please get vaccinated very soon.

 

I am very grateful to share these revised and reduced protocols, and am looking forward to the day when we will no longer need protocols.

 

Please know I pray for each of you by name in the course of the week in my daily prayers. Please pray for me as well.

 

-peace,

Fr. Jamie Parsley+, Rector