Entering the “Green Stage” of Covid Restrictions
We are pleased to be announcing that we are entering, as a parish, the “Green Stage” in our opening for worship. Following both the guidelines of the Diocese and all public health protocols, this is what you can now expect at church:
- Masks are now optional - you may continue to wear a mask, but some may choose not to - please respect your fellow parishioner’s choices if they are different from your own.
- Social Distancing no longer required - we will not be requiring people to be social distanced, but again encourage you to respect that there will be people who will remain distanced from others for their own safety, or for the safety of other’s in their households.
- Passing the Peace - we will continue to share the peace at a distance from one another and encourage you to remain by your seat and acknowledge the shared peace by a slight bow or making the peace sign with your hand as you look towards others in the congregation.
- Reintroduction of the Chalice - communion can now be received in two kinds, both the bread and the wine. We will be offering standing stations for both the bread and the wine. It will be your choice to receive either. We expect that many will not receive from the cup, but for those who would like to, this is now an option. (See in the downloads below an article about the science behind receiving the cup.)
- Anointing - We look forward to offering anointing as part of our services soon.
Along with these changes, we will continue to be vigilant in keeping our community safe. Please do not attend services in person when you are feeling unwell. Ruthanne will be taking a covid test each weekend, for the time being, as an extra step of caution.
We have waited a long time for some of these changes, but we may also be feeling some anxiety. We know that we may have to reintroduce some measures when cases start rising again. Let us all show patience and kindness as we, together, navigate our gathering as a church in these days.