A pastoral note from Reverend Jeunee…
(from May 9 Constant Contact e-blast)
"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope." Ps 130:5
Dear St. Michael's community,
On Friday, our governor announced that Phase 1 of a reopening strategy will begin in our state a week from now which would include easing some restrictions on churches.
Many of you are wondering when we will be able to gather together at St. Michael's on Sunday mornings and for other important events like funerals or weddings. Moreover, you are wondering how we will address such important issues as Holy Communion and congregational singing.
The short answer is "We don't yet know all the answers."
St. Michael's, out of love for our community, will not rush to re-gather.
Earlier this week, our bishop, The Rt. Rev. Susan Haynes, put out a pasotral letter indicating that her office, with the input of a panel of experts, will be issuing guidelines in the next week or so. (See a copy of that letter here.) In the meantime, she said, in Phase 1, our worship will not significantly change. We continue safer at home, with limited gatherings of fewer than 10 people, physically distanced, to carry out the necessary work of the church. With the governor's declaration yesterday that churches can gather at 50% capacity during Phase 1, once we receive updated guidance from our bishop, your clergy, wardens, and program staff will make a more definitive decision about how St. Michael's can best move forward, and when our first re-gathering Sunday might be.
Here are some things I can say:
We will continue some form of online worship even after we begin to regather. This will allow our most vulnerable parishioners to continue to connect with the church even if they are not yet ready to be in larger groups.
Our practices will look different than they have before. Those practices will change over time as the virus abates. Try to be flexible.
Communion will likely be in one kind only (bread) for a while, and how we receive communion will look different at first. Rest assured we will follow important sanitary and safety precautions.
Physical distancing is still important, but social connection is also very important. Please continue to reach out to each other, especially to those who live alone.
Be wise about your own health and safety. Make decisions that are right for you and your family. Even after the church begins to regather, if you are vulnerable due to age or compromised immune system, do not feel pressure to return to public gatherings. In fact, you may need to exercise self-discipline to stay home even when you would want to be with others.
I feel that God is stirring our spirits during this crisis, and we have the opportunity to be creative, find new ways to share the Gospel, to focus on priorities, and to build a deeper community. Let's take the best of what we are learning into our future. If you have been hearing from God during this time, I'd love to hear what's been on your hearts and minds! Call or email me.
We are blessed that St. Michael's is full of such great people! I am so grateful for our all our volunteers, for Rev. Becki, for our program staff - Doris, Crystal, and Christian, and for the vestry. You have kept things going in the areas of pastoral care, outreach, administration, worship, buildings and grounds maintenance and beautification. And thank you for all the faithful parisihoners who have been keeping the faith at home! Remember, you are the Church!
I am anxious to see you all face to face, and to praise our Lord together in worship, but as we wait with patience, may God's blessing be upon you.
Peace, Rev. Jeunee+ rector@stmichaelsbonair.org