Dear Good Shepherd family,
These, indeed, are times that try men’s (and women’s) souls! The news swirling around the COVID-19 pandemic and various responses (and non-responses) has ALL of us anxious—understandably. Whether it's worry about our own, or loved-ones’, health, or the larger impact that the pandemic has on global markets, or the scapegoating of Asians, these are concerning times. I have to trust that we all have our various resources to which we turn for good, accurate information on how to take proper precautions to lessen chances of infection. [In case you are casting about for such information, please see the resources that the Episcopal Church in Colorado has compiled:
You have probably seen news from around the country of large events being cancelled (including the rest of the NBA season!). Several Episcopal dioceses (on both coasts) have asked their congregations to suspend any church services for the time being. We are not at that point yet. I do want to address, however, our common life at Good Shepherd. I want to let you know what we have done and/or will do, and what we might do. Our congregational response is framed (although not entirely governed) by guidance from our Bishop. In this regard, it is a reminder that we are part of the Episcopal Church in Colorado; we are not the only Episcopal congregation in Colorado. Earlier this week, Bishop Kym sent out (very similar) communications to (first) clergy and wardens, and (second) to everyone on the diocesan mailing list. Our responses are in bold.
Bishop's Top Ten on Epidemic Preparedness
Dear Siblings in Christ,
I’m grateful for the expertise of our medical professionals and those who are diligently working to respond to the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). I encourage everyone to continue to be loving and practice healthy habits. The following list is meant to be helpful checklist for our churches to reduce the risk of spreading the flu, colds, and other potential viruses.
1. Wash your Hands! Remind your staff and parishioners to wash their hands often with soap and water correctly. Additionally, provide signage to everyone entering your building encouraging them to visit a washroom to wash their hands upon arrival. We are doing this!
2. Refrain from touch. You may share the Peace of the Lord with eye contact, a warm smile, a bow of your head, a wave, or an elbow bump. We recommended this last week!
3. Remind your staff and congregation to stay away from work, school, or church activities if they are feeling unwell. Please be sensible about this! Stay home if you’re not feeling well!
4. Communion “in one kind” constitutes full and sufficient communion, so churches and individuals may elect to simply receive the bread and not the wine. Clergy may elect to only offer bread at the rail as long as the chalice is offered at a separate station for those who want to opt in. We will continue to offer the chalice, as suggested here. BUT, please remember that receiving the bread alone is perfectly fine! We have suspended use of ceramic altar-ware, using only silver/brass. You should know, too, that we are changing the kind of communion wine we use, from the standard sweetened rosé to a fortified port; the higher alcohol content of the port adding some antiseptic qualities to the wine.
5. Intinction, (dipping the bread into the cup), poses a risk when multiple hands are dipping into the common cup. Churches should discontinue this practice during this season. We are suspending the practice of intinction. your choices are either (a) bread alone; or (b) common cup.
6. Hand sanitizer should be available at church entrances and in the chancel, either purchased products or homemade sanitizer. We have tried to make hand sanitizer available in multiple places, either as pump-bottles, or individual hand-wipes. You are, of course, welcome to bring your own!
7. Holy Water should be removed from all fonts. This has been done!
8. Eucharistic visits should be suspended. Please consider sending cards or making phone calls so that shut-ins and others at risk are assured of our love and care. We have suspended home eucharistic visits for the time being. We are investigating alternatives in addition to the “cards and phone-calls” suggested by the Bishop. In addition, in accordance with guidance from the Office of the Bishop, all non-essential pastoral visits are “on hold”; we will be in touch by phone (or Facetime/Skype).
9. Offering plates should be placed at the back of the church or at another convenient place instead of being passed. For those counting monetary offerings, they should wear gloves and sanitize offering plates after use. We will have the offering plates on tables at the back of the church; please leave your tithes/offerings in those plates. They will be presented, as usual, at the offertory.
10. Commonly touched places should be sanitized such as door handles, the altar rail, the backs of pews, table surfaces, elevator buttons, etc. We will do as much as we can in this regard, recognizing that, given the heavy use our building experiences, it would be impossible
Holy God, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve the sick across the world, that they may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care. Sanctify those you have called to the study and practice of the arts of healing and the prevention of disease and pain, that they may be strengthened by your life-giving Spirit. Make these words more than words, and provide us peace and comfort; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Faithfully,
Bishop Kym Lucas
As I said above, these are our responses to this point. Clearly we have made some changes from last week (i.e., discontinuing intinction altogether). There may be more changes to come as we, the diocese/state, and nation continue to address this situation.
I close with a communication from my friend, Canon Carl Andrews (former Canon to the Ordinary). His suggestions about "configuring our worship to be electronically capable to provide worship experiences for those who are homebound or self-quarantined” are guiding some of what the staff is currently addressing as well. I particularly commend the prayer at the end, should you choose (or it be necessary) not to attend services.
A Message from the Rev. Canon Carl Andrews,
Disaster Response Director for the Episcopal Church in Colorado
Siblings in Christ,
It is a very confusing time we live in and one that is full of opportunities for new ministry that we never dreamed about yesterday. In my role, as one giving recommendations during this COVID-19 epidemic, I suggest we as parishes/mission/special congregations, start configuring our worship to be electronically capable to provide worship experiences for those who are homebound or self-quarantined.
When we know someone who is homebound/quarantined, they need to be in our prayers and in our actions as we reach out by email/phone/cards/letters. We can also leave those gifts on the doorstep having made previous arrangements with them.
As a commitment of faith we need to heed the direction from Episcopal Relief and Development:
· Combat fear with knowledge in order to encourage preparedness and decrease stigma.
· Maintain operational continuity and continue worship life in the case of potential quarantine and disruption.
· Show God’s compassion and care to those in our communities who are affected.
The way we can care for others is to continue washing our hands and coughing/sneezing into our elbows. Additionally, as we arrive for worship we should wash our hands and limit our contact with elbow or fist bumping, or bowing to others during the Peace.
It appears that social distancing is in the future within many more communities, therefore we owe it to those around us that if we feel sick, we stay home. We should seek medical direction if we continue to feel sick, having called our providers ahead of time before we arrive.
Rectors/vicars/chaplains, if you have parishioners that are planning weddings in the near future, please get in touch as it may be wise not to have all of the out-of-town guests present. Additionally for burials, there are ways to minimizes social interaction if the deceased was infected.
Here is the prayer that you might want to use from the Prayer book for Armed Forces (Episcopal 1988): When You Cannot Attend Worship. It includes this prayer:
In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated. I desire to offer you praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. And since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and the life to come. Amen.
If you have any questions or concerns, please be in touch with me.
Many blessings;
CMA+
The Reverend Canon Carl M. Andrews
Disaster Response Director for the Episcopal Church in Colorado
Partner in Response and Resilience; US Disaster Program
Episcopal Relief and Development
Chaplain, Colonel, USAF (ret)
Cell: 720-635-1245
Email: Carl@EpiscopalColorado.org
Please remember that your health and safety, as well as those with whom you might come in contact, are to be held uppermost.
Let us each continue in prayer for one another, for the church at large, for the nation and world. You are certainly in my prayers! Together we will weather this, with God’s grace, and we can, and will, come out stronger!
Blessings,
Fr. Gary