The angels remind us to "be not afraid" and the prophets remind us to "be wise," and we are seeking to do both at Saint Luke's in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. We are writing to affirm the practices of good public health that are already operative here, and to communicate the preparations also being made if further response becomes necessary.
We always encourage good personal health practices, identified by public health officials as the best preventative measures available, which include (as stipulated by the CDC):
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or use a tissue to cover it, then throw the tissue in the trash
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
We have also incorporated good public health practices into our public gatherings like worship. Those here last Sunday will remember we are instituting these practices as Lenten disciplines together, including non-contact "Passing the Peace" as a model for all our greetings of one another, as well as non-contact service of the Lord's Supper with use of crackers instead of bread. Those practices will be repeated and normative at Saint Luke's until noted otherwise. We ask for your help in developing a good healthy culture of gathering during this flu season, even in time of fellowship. Non-contact greeting can be playful and fun, and it is also a way we help everyone here feel welcome and respected.
We are also making preparations for further responses if they become necessary. We will take our cues for further response from the Dekalb County Board of Health, and the operating choices that will be made by Dekalb County School District and the City of Dunwoody. If Dekalb County Board of Health takes the step of discouraging public gatherings, and the district decides to close schools, then Saint Luke's will suspend the Little Saints Preschool (which always takes its cues from DCSD) and its regular Sunday gatherings that include 8:15 and 10:30 worship, Sunday School, and Youth Group. In the event this becomes necessary, we will be prepared to share Sunday lessons, sermons, and maybe even music by streaming internet video. If those adaptations become realized, then we will resume public gatherings as soon as Dekalb County Board of Health clears them, and Dekalb County Schools resume activity.
The Saint Luke's church office will take its cues from the City of Dunwoody. If city offices determine it necessary to close, the church office will also close. That said, all church staff people are being encouraged as always to make good health-minded choices for themselves, and work from home when it becomes wise and necessary to do so.
Even if adaptations to our regular operations take effect, our responsibility to be good caregivers for each other and for our community will continue, but may for a time take the form of phone calls and messages instead of visits. We are always and will remain organized to check up on each other and be supportive, mindful of those who might be most affected by any isolating steps that get taken.
Finally, as followers of Jesus, we are also challenged at every turn, especially our anxious ones, to be mindful of the challenges faced by the most vulnerable and marginalized among us. And so we pray for the poor and underprivileged, who are always most affected by public health concerns and public health responses. And as we pray, we will also be communicating with our outreach partners about ways we can support their efforts to be present and generous to those they serve at this difficult time.
Thank you for your time, attention, prayers, and healthy preparations with the rest of the church family. Stay well, be not afraid, and be wise, like we've been told!
Sincerely,
The Saint Luke's Staff
