Dear Friends:
Events around the COVID-19 pandemic continue to unfold rapidly. I have made the difficult decision to cancel all our in-person worship services this Sunday. All public worship and events will be cancelled until further notice. The Bishop has reversed his advice and has closed the Cathedral for public worship opening again no sooner than Easter, depending on how the crisis develops.
I apologize for any confusion caused by this change of plans, given the letter you recently received from me. The rapid changes in the public health situation and the urging of both our public officials and our Bishop have made this new response the most compassionate and responsible way to proceed. I do this to protect each of us, our vulnerable parishioners and neighbors, believing that as Christians we are called to love and care for one another. The best medical advice seems to be to seek to “flatten the curve” of the virus’ spread by eliminating public gatherings, and that is what we will do.
In these perilous times it is better to be safe than sorry. A couple local clergy have already reported having the virus and we each exercise responsible citizenship by following the advice of our elected leaders and epidemiologists.
I will miss all of you and the strength and comfort that comes from the weekly Eucharistic celebration. But I feel this may have the hidden blessing of allowing us to see what Church has come to mean to us and maybe give us a little time to reimagine how we can be a more dynamic church when we do return to regular worship in the not too distant future.
Although public services have been suspended at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, a non-public service will be live-streamed this Sunday at 11:00 AM. Bishop Andrew ML Dietsche will be preaching. Please do not go to the Cathedral, but you can see it at the Cathedral Website (www.stjohndivine.org).
We will find other ways to stay connected during this time, so stay tuned for the possibilities. Please, if you have concerns, want to talk or need prayer, reach out to me or Heather. We are here, and we will move through these unprecedented (for us) challenges together, by God’s grace.
You are in my prayers, especially in these times. More to come soon- please take care of yourselves, and may God bless and keep you.
Peace,
Steve
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