September 7, 2021
Dear Friends in Christ,
I write you today because of the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in the Greater Richmond area after consulting with The Rev. Duane Nettles, the Rector of Grace and Holy Trinity Church this morning. While Duane is still on vacation until Saturday, it was essential to discuss that all of the areas where members of the congregation live currently fall into the “Red” zone, or the highest threat for folks who are unvaccinated and breakthrough cases of the Delta Variant of COVID-19. According to our COVID protocols, we are going to institute a registration process for this week’s return to our Fall Worship schedule. We will have a cap on the attendance of 125 individuals for this week at the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services. Everyone will need to remain socially distanced and masked in the building. We encourage you to register early for the service so that we know how many of us plan to gather. If you do not feel comfortable attending a larger gathering at 10:30 am, consider coming to the 8 a.m. service which is generally smaller and shorter in length. We will live-stream the 10:30a.m. service as well.
Recognizing that children and youth under age 12 are unable to be vaccinated we have taken mitigative measures to keep our youngest members safe. All nursery and formation staff are fully vaccinated, the countertops and toys are all sanitized after each use, there are safety questions that parents and guardians are asked to answer when dropping off their children. If you have any questions about the COVID procedures around children’s spaces you can contact Kate Givens directly at kgivens@ghtc.org.
Understanding that we are people of word and deed and that communion is a spiritual discipline that many of us have abstained from for most of the last year, we have amended the procedures around receiving communion for this week. For the time being, we will distribute communion in a small bag and invite you to consume the Body of Christ after leaving the worship space, either outside or in your car. This will facilitate the wearing of masks at all times in the building. Also we will refrain from passing the peace with folks outside of your household. You can wave the sign of peace, or bow or acknowledge one another in a non-physical way.
As we will not be having communion together, neither will we have a coffee hour or breakfast this week. This is not the “homecoming” weekend we were expecting. However, we will gather together for scripture, sacrament, and spirituals this weekend as we remember the life of H.T. Burleigh and celebrate the voices of the great cloud of witnesses who have seen and survived trials and tribulations such as this pandemic. If you have registered for the Blessed Burleigh events you will be contacted regarding those events if changes in protocol are necessary.
We continue to watch, pray, and discern as the CDC gives guidance on gathering in the safest ways possible. In the coming weeks, we will probably need to pivot our plans again. I know we are all tired of the regular pivoting. We ask for your continued patience and grace as we weather the uncertain waters of the Delta Variant. Keep your eyes open for announcements from GHTC about how we will be gathering in the near future. Keep up your prayers that we may love our neighbor as ourselves by following health guidelines and getting recommended vaccinations. If you are struggling during this time of heightened physical illness and you need to talk to someone you can reach Kim on her cell 757-655-1877, or email her at kreinholz@ghtc.org. Duane remains on vacation but will return to celebrate with all of us on September 12, 2021.
In the peace of Christ,
Duane and Kim
