March 11, 2020
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
We have just learned of the directive from our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Susan Goff, that all churches in the Diocese of Virginia are required to cancel all worship services through March 25, including the Sundays of March 15 and March 22.
In addition to not having worship, any church gatherings of more than about 15 people, and gatherings involving the sharing of food, are highly discouraged, since health guidelines for safe social distancing cannot easily be observed in such gatherings. Grace and Holy Trinity Church will observe these directives.
This is being done as a response to the rapidly spreading coronavirus threat, which has now been declared a worldwide pandemic. We are aware that these actions will not stop the spread of the disease, but our belief is that it can help slow the spread of the virus, protect the most vulnerable of our parishioners and neighbors, and help reduce the strain on our health system.
So, for this time period, there will be no Choir practices, Wednesday night Lent Series, CirclesRVA, Greater Richmond Children’s Choir, AA, or other groups meeting at the church. Since the food is already on site, Red Door will distribute bag lunches this Friday, and distribute gift cards to provide for a meal the following Friday, as there will be no Red Door activity on March 20. Staff will continue to be on site, and special cleaning procedures will be conducted throughout our building.
We are making plans to provide for some type of online worship service on these two upcoming Sundays, and to share information from our Lent Series. Further details will follow on how you can access these offerings.
Our Diocese will be monitoring the changing situation, and may extend or change these directives beyond March 25. In the meantime, continue to hold each other, our community, our nation, and the entire world in prayer.
Communicate by phone and email to stay in touch. Notify the church if you have information for us to share, or special needs to which we may respond.
