Beloved, what follows is an update of my last communication to you.
Rather than reinvent the wheel, I have adopted and amended what
Bishop Greg Rickel distributed to the Diocese of Olympia, a diocese
with many more cases of COVID-19 confirmed and more experience
with combatting this virus. You should expect that, as developments
unfold, I will update the Diocese regarding our common life and
COVID-19.
Let me also say that as we take up these behaviors to help keep
ourselves safe, let us take up a new depth in our prayer life.
In the days and weeks to come, join me in praying for those who
are sick and those who love them, and for those who have died
because of this virus; for those who are oppressed by fear and for
those who are losing the income that sustains them.
Let us also pray for those in the medical, scientific, research and pharmaceutical communities devoting their time and talent to the
cause of global health. And, let us pray for all our elected officials
and all those who hold the common trust that their wisdom and
compassion for all people will increase.
Finally, I pray that your faith in our unshakable God will be your
consolation during these anxiety producing times.
The Right Reverend Robert C. Wright
With new information and new requests from health officials, I have decided to require the clergy of this diocese to practice the following guidelines:
1. While the common cup, properly administered, has been
scientifically proven to be safer than intinction, health officials
are now asking us to cease the use of the common cup. For this
reason, I am asking that this be done in all of our parishes starting immediately. The cup can certainly continue to be used by the
priest in the presidency of the Eucharist but offering it to the altar
party and/or the congregation should cease for the time being.
Last week I asked you to consider stopping the practice of intinction.
Today, I am directing you to stop the use of the common cup.
2. With this in mind, communion will only be offered in one kind,
the bread. With this, I have received a few new practices and ideas.
One is to have as few people as possible, preferably priests, to
administer the bread, and that those people wash their hands and
sanitize often while distributing. Every effort should be made not to
touch the hands of those receiving.
3. The new request from health officials regards the water in the
baptismal font. I guess one good thing is that this is happening in
Lent. So, for Lent, and until we know more, I am requesting that
when possible, and if possible, water in the fonts be drained, and
that the practice of dipping the hands in the water of a font be
discontinued. Scientists who have reviewed this feel that the virus
could be spread in this manner, though not proven. I am directing
you to do this however, this being Lent, there should be very few
baptisms!
4. The Peace. Refrain from hugging or shaking hands during the Sign
of Peace (a bow, elbow bump or verbal gesture is appropriate). Also,
refrain from holding hands during the Lord's Prayer.
5. Eucharistic Visitors. I believe this practice of sending Eucharistic
Visitors should be ceased for now. Eucharistic Visitors visiting homes
is an opportunistic issue with this virus, and puts those in the home,
and those visiting, at risk. My request is that home visits be restricted
to ordained persons for now and that Eucharistic Visitors not be
deployed until further notice.
6. Passing the offering plate. You are urged not to pass the plate
from hand to hand. You are encouraged to instruct your people not
to touch it, but to have your ushers make sure anyone who wants to
put an offering in can. You might put the plate in one spot and ask
people to come to the plate to put in their offerings.
Institute rigorous daily cleaning of all surfaces commonly touched,
such as alter rails and door knobs, etc.
Additionally, make sure you have hand sanitizer in plentiful supplies
at every entrance to your worship space, and your property. If you
cannot find hand sanitizer use rubbing alcohol of 70% or more.
And please reiterate to all congregants that each person should, in
their own minds and hearts, decide how much or little they will
participate.
For now, health officials are not calling for gatherings to cease, but
they are calling for us to be very mindful of how we gather and what
we do when we do.
Coronavirus Guidance and Resources
The Diocese of Atlanta has compiled these resources to address concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19). With positive cases confirmed within our region, the following precautions are now recommended in the parishes and other institutions of the Diocese of Atlanta.
Information for Individuals
Practice good personal health habits. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your elbow. Hands should be washed often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
Copyright © 2020 Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta. All rights reserved.
Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta * 2744 Peachtree St NW * Atlanta, GA 30305
