Per Bishop Jake Owensby's Email of October 24, and in consultation with our vestry members, and your new priest, Mother Rita, beginning Sunday, October 31, The Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost - Masks will be OPTIONAL at all worship, fellowship, and formation events at our church. We will also resume intinction (dipping the bread in the wine) at Holy Communion.
Those with compromised immune systems or other comorbidities are urged to continue wearing masks or to attend one of our online worship services. Observance of physical distancing is also urged. Coronavirus remains a significant public health risk. Should we experience another significant wave of infections it may become necessary to return to church-wide mandates once again, and will do so if the Bishop directs us to do so.
One way to help ensure that we do not have to take such measures in the future is to get vaccinated, get boosters, and to encourage others to do the same.
Lastly out of love, and as an example to others, I will continue to wear a mask as long as anyone present at worship, fellowship, or formation events is masked. Many in our congregation, and community at large are still fearful and or weakened physically in some way, and I do not want them to feel out of place, embarrassed to be masked or unwelcomed.
Let us continue prayerfully, and lovingly together to find our way forward as faithful followers of Jesus's example of love and servanthood to one another.
Love,
