A Letter from the Rector
Dearly Beloved,
On March 27, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order No. 121, which is a Stay At Home Order regarding the present spread of COVID-19 in our North Carolina communities. Last week, Mr. Cooper extended this order through May 8, 2020.
On March 20, 2020, the House of Bishops of the Anglican Province of America suspended public worship in all of our parishes nationwide. On March 30, that suspension was extended through April 30. On April 17, with this suspension of worship order due to expire, Bishop Grundorf wrote that the clergy and laity of the APA should follow national, state, and local guidelines as Phase 1 re-openings are beginning to occur in some places of the country.
With these things in mind, I believe it is time to begin offering limited public worship in accordance with Executive Order No. 121 and I will explain how we will do so below. But let me first offer a few salient points from the Executive Order to show that we will, as the prayer book says, “faithfully and obediently honour” our elected leadership in their efforts to mitigate this pandemic (BCP, p. 32).
Section 1 of the order deals with the actual stay at home parameters and provides guidance on what is considered permitted and essential travel. Paragraph 3 of this section is titled Leaving the home and travel for Essential Activities permitted. Clause vi specifically states “travel to and from a place of worship” is permitted.
Section 2 lists what are considered COVID-19 Essential Businesses and Operations. Included in this section are Religious entities (par. 10). The only limitation placed on religious entities are those listed in Section 3 of the order regarding Mass Gatherings. Paragraph 1 of that section defines a mass gathering “as any event or convening that brings together more than ten (10) persons in a single room or single space at the same time…”
Keeping all this in mind, with the expressed intent to not violate any of the provisions of Mr. Cooper’s order, I am offering the following to our congregation to begin a return to regular worship for you here at All Saints. The vestry has reviewed and consented to this to help us move forward.
A Way Forward
Sunday worship will continue to be offered via live-stream format as we are presently operating. It normally takes about 7-10 people being present to make this happen so we have maintained the mass gathering provisions of the order throughout this time.
I will be celebrating the Holy Communion for a particular Sunday also on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. on all three days of the same week. This starts this coming Monday, May 4. We will schedule 8 people at a time to make sure we do not go over the 10 people limit. This will ensure that we may easily maintain social distancing protocols in the building. Please call Dss. Cynthia at the office or email her (click here to do so now) and she will put you on the schedule for the day and time you prefer. These weekday celebrations will be simple services without a sermon and should last about 25-30 minutes. Once you are scheduled, that will be your day and time to come to church over the next few weeks until, of course, new orders/guidelines are issued.
When distributing communion during these limited attendance services, we will be using the intinction method. This ensures that I am the only one handling the Blessed Sacrament. When you come forward for communion, I will dip (intinct) the Body of Christ into the Precious Blood and place it on your tongue. I realize that this is not the preferred way to receive Holy Communion but I believe it is the best way to help us assure one another that all reasonable precautions are in place.
As is always the case, you all know what is best for you and your family. This is not meant to pressure anyone who may feel reticent to leave their home. It is merely an offer to help you reconnect, not only with your church family, but physically with your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the food for our wayfaring here on this earth, the Body and Blood of Christ.
If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call at the church or on my cell phone.
I close this note with a short prayer to remind us to whom we must turn and trust, no matter the circumstances, however tragic, in which we may find ourselves:
- O Saviour of the world, who by thy holy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed us; Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord. Amen.
I am yours ever as we abide together in Christ Jesus,
Fr. Erich
