From California-
From the beginning of the pandemic,
our Episcopal congregations and our respective dioceses have been
strengthened by prayer, study, and praise. In this time, our churches
have never “closed” or ceased in teaching, fellowship, prayer and
service to our communities; we have simply continued our gatherings
on-line and in homes, bowing to Christ’s authority and the teaching that
we are to act out of love for others.
As the weeks go on, the weather is
nicer, and our solitude continues, there is pressure to get out, be
among people and gather. Churches are a place where we feel that
pressure intensely, for we are a people that is embodied and communal,
and we often refer to ourselves as “family.”
Over the past few weeks, we have
carefully considered how and when we will re-gather in person. We
recognize that our plans are not as simple as unlocking a door and
walking in. All of our congregations are actively making plans centered
spiritually on our love for others, and scientifically on the realities
of disease. The reminders from the CDC, and state government tug us into
the reality that we still do not know enough about COVID-19 to gather
safely in the same ways as before; we need to find new ways to keep our
people safe.
More here-
