A Message from Fr. Gary

Dear Good Shepherd family,

As I implied in my email yesterday, the sands beneath our feet are shifting quickly. A few hours after my email, Bishop Kym sent out a communication asking that all congregations of the Episcopal Church in Colorado put public worship (and other gatherings) on hiatus until the end of March. (That communication from the bishop can be found below.) We will comply with that request. There will be no Sunday gatherings beginning this-coming Sunday, March 15, and continuing through (at least) March 29. (Who knew “Beware the Ides of March” would take on this meaning!)

This is news you may have been anticipating, especially given Gov. Polis’ declaration of a “state of emergency”, the cancellation of significant sporting events in the state (and beyond), and the closing of schools and colleges. We—as a diocese and congregation—have weighed, and prayed over, all of the options. BUT, as you well know, we need to be responsible for each other’s health (as well as our own). We need, too, to be good citizens and help, as we can, decrease the spread of COVID-19. As you no-doubt have heard, “social distancing” is one effective way of helping in that regard, hence the cancelling of services.

We all know how disruptive this is. Plans that have been made will have to be altered. Meetings will have to be cancelled, or conducted differently (more on that in a minute). But, most importantly, our personal connections with one another—part of what it is to be “Church”, as well as our corporate worship experiences, are significantly interrupted.  “Social distance”, however, does not mean “social isolation”. Nor does the cancelling of “public worship” mean no “common worship”. To that end (in addition to things that we’ve already sent out), we will put technology to the test:

1.     It is our intention to live-stream Morning Prayer for the next three weeks. Details are still be ironed out, and we will send out instructions as soon as we can. We aren’t certain what time the service will be held, probably 9am. It is my hope that we’ll be able to “save” it, so that you may be able to access it later that day, or beyond.  While congregational singing will be absent, I hope to have some instrumental music as part of the service.

I realize that Morning Prayer may not be familiar for many of you. This will provide an opportunity to become acquainted with one of the glorious services of Anglicanism which, for many reasons, has fallen into dis-use in many parishes. We will make available a pdf of the service so that you can be a participant rather than just an observer.

2.     We are working on a “ZOOM subscription”.  ZOOM is a cross-platform program that makes possible virtual meetings (including live-streaming of worship). For those groups and committees in the church that want (or need) to continue meeting during this hiatus, ZOOM will be available to you. More information on that will come out soon.

These are challenging times! But challenges bring opportunities. We will be learning new ways of being “church”. Technology may bring us together in ways that timing and/or distance have prevented in the past. We will be challenged to overcome “social distance” with increased phone calls, emails and/or written (gasp!) communications!

Know that there will be more coming from me and the Church in the next few days and weeks (especially with regard to Sunday worship).  In the meantime (and, I suppose this is a “mean” time!), may we remember that we are people of faith, not of fear. Our Lord Jesus Christ triumphed over death and the grave; we can triumph over COVID-19 and the disruption to our worship schedule.

In addition, we can—corporately AND individually—bear witness to our confidence that “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8.36-38).

Know that if you have questions or concerns, you can call or email me. And, given these “new days”, we can always use FaceTime or Skype!

Be well, and safe, beloved.

Fr. Gary