25 March 2020
The Feast of the Annunciation of our Lord Jesus Christ
Dear People of God called to be the Diocese of Maine,
I am reaching out to you today directly in this unprecedented moment to share new protocols communicated with your clergy and wardens suspending all access to /and any use of church buildings, offices, and parish halls throughout the diocese. I understand and appreciate the fact this decision has great impact on us all. As your leaders of faith however, it falls upon our shoulders to respond to and support the
Governor’s lead and new mandate
announced Tuesday, in taking every proactive step possible to help protect the people of Maine against the exposure and spread of COVID 19.
As I’ve shared with your clergy and wardens, though we are in very unsettling times, I truly believe this day presents an opportunity for us to reach out, serving and ministering to and with each other -
together
being one
in “the living church” in new and different ways. You will be hearing directly from your clergy and my office often as this situation unfolds, offering ways for you to stay safe and connected through worship and prayer in whatever form that might take. I also encourage and invite you to visit the
diocesan website
and
Facebook
often as resources and information for online worship, readings and other materials for your use – such as the
Book of Common Prayer
linked here - are updated daily.
Despite the uncertainty of the day, please take time and make space in your life for daily meditation and prayer. As we walk alongside each other in this uncharted journey together, I share this message from the Letter to the Hebrews:
Jesus Christ is the same—yesterday, today, and forever. When we focus on this truth, and the joy that comes from having Him as the Lord of our lives, we can do all things because He gives us strength. God’s nature is to bring God’s people from death into life. All the time!
Faithfully in Christ,
