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
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