Pastoral Letter about Saint Stephen’s Protocols as a Result of our Survey, Covid Taskforce, CDC guidelines, and mandate from the Bishop.

May 14, 2021

Dear Saint Stephen’s,  

Last Wednesday, our church sent out an anonymous survey to understand levels of comfort gathering in church and to understand our vaccination rate.  From the 215 responses, we learned a lot. Two things stand out: we have an exceptionally high vaccination rate (greater than 95% of respondents) and we are all over the map with our levels of comfort about being around people, crowds, and especially worship inside the building.   

In the fourth chapter of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he explains the responsibilities of the baptized life.  Paul shares to the community in verse 29, “Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.”  In a time when we all share different opinions, many of which we hold with an unguarded sense of certainty, I personally find it helpful to be reminded as a response to our faith to speak only what is useful for building up.  I think Paul is teaching the community about kindness and support, especially when they find themselves divided.   

Any decision made by our church about how we emerge from this pandemic will be well received by some, and not as well by others.  Regardless of the advice by the CDC, some people will have well-reasoned questions and concerns regarding safety.  Also, some members of our congregation have been very isolated for over a year, and last April, our choirs were told that singing indoors is the most dangerous way of spreading the Coronavirus. Many of us have lost loved ones, friends, and colleagues to the pandemic, and learning how to resume “normal” activities will be emotional and challenging for us.  My hope is that in remembering our commitment in how we respond to each other will help us to treat each other with kindness and empathy as we grow in our common life together as Christians. 

That being said, our COVID-19 taskforce agreed on Wednesday that during our services inside that have spoken liturgies and some instrumental music (specifically at 8 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.), masks will not be required. We have already communicated this for programs outside, as long as people are socially distanced. In-person small groups and Bible studies can also make their own decisions around safety and comfort, and I suggest that group leaders communicate that ahead of time so that participants can choose whether to attend or not.  

On May 23, we will resume our 11:15 a.m. service inside, with reservations. Initially, we are going to require masks, because the choir will be singing. This means only one of our four services will still require masks, although you are always welcome to wear one. I hope you will see this as finding some middle ground, striving to be flexible and accommodating with a recognition that we all have different levels of comfort. We have arrived back to four in-person services of Holy Eucharist, all while continuing to livestream our 11:15 a.m. service and ten other weekday services. We have started creating a contingency plan for rain for the 9 a.m. service in the parish hall, ensuring that we will continue to be able to gather in person as the body of Christ. And, we have learned how to hold hybrid gatherings so that all may participate in Christian formation. All of these are accomplishments worth celebrating. 

Finally, Bishop Glenda Curry has urged several steps towards resuming regular church practices by June 1, including the call to resume the common cup. Her advice is to allow intinction (dipping of bread into wine), and we will put a plan in place to allow this. It is important to remember that in our tradition, communion of one kind is full communion and people are always welcome to skip the bread or wine.   

While I am confident that we are moving in the right direction, I also understand that this could be received with mixed emotions. Our clergy are always willing to listen and learn from you. I look forward both to seeing many of you soon in-person and to praying and connecting online with others. 

Faithfully, 

John+