CHRISTMAS DURING COVID
Dear friends,

I wanted to write today to provide some updates regarding our service plans. Let me start with the most important point: we are not cancelling services or restricting in-person attendance at this time. Those things may well happen in the future, but we are not there yet. Now, please read on for more information. I know it's long, but this is important stuff!

We have been discussing this pandemic a lot recently as a parish and as a diocese. We have been guided by our Wardens and Vestry, by Bishop Chilton, and by a panel of medical experts assembled by the Diocese of Chicago. We are also aware that a number of parish families have been affected by COVID-19 in the past week or two, with the most recent positive case being a person who attended the 10am service this past Sunday. We encourage you to take the prudent follow-up steps, including getting tested if you were at that service.

Let me be blunt. We would normally expect over 100 people at each of our two Christmas Eve services tomorrow. According to a risk model developed by Georgia Tech, there is a very high probability that at least one person in a gathering that size in our area will have COVID-19. Of course, just because someone there is infectious, it doesn't mean that everyone else at the service will catch it. We believe that our safety precautions (detailed below) will mitigate the risk to an acceptable level.

But what I consider "acceptable" for me and my family may not be for you and yours. If you are unvaccinated, older, or have medical conditions, the prudent choice may be to participate in tomorrow's services remotely. We will be livestreaming both of them and I am probably biased, but I think we are putting out a really great product which almost feels like being there in person. You can find details for how to watch on our website. Also, if you are not vaccinated or have been delaying your booster shot, please consider getting your shot(s) in the coming days. That not only protects you but is also an act of Christian love for your neighbors.

Here is a reminder of the precautions we have had in place for some time:
  • The church installed an ionizing air purifier in the HVAC system which kills pathogens as they circulate through the ducts.
  • Masks are required at all times while inside the building.
  • We do not pass around the collection plate.
  • Hand sanitizer is readily available and you are encouraged to use it.
  • Special care is taken during Communion. The bread and wine are handled as little as possible, and always with clean hands. They are kept covered to keep respiratory droplets away. The consecrated wine is only distributed in single-use compostable cups.
  • There are pews available for socially-distanced seating if you prefer to use them. They are located in the back rows on either side.

Here are the new precautions we are implementing as of tomorrow:
  • The wearing of masks over both mouth and nose at all times will be strictly enforced. Don't be surprised if someone asks you to pull your mask up if it slips down. Other than vaccination, this is the most effective method of preventing transmission.
  • The clergy have all obtained recent negative COVID-19 tests and will be testing again following the Christmas services.
  • We are required to restart keeping a record of attendance for contact tracing purposes. The new process involves a bulletin insert with a QR code. One representative of each household can either fill out the paper form or scan the code with a smartphone and complete it online.
  • We are also asking you to please notify the office by phone or email (admin@eeclg.org) if you have a positive or suspected case of COVID-19 within a week of being at church. This will allow us to inform others who could potentially have been exposed. Your identity will not be made public. If you are an Emmanuel "regular" who brings family or friends, it is your responsibility to let us know if they get sick.
  • Rev. Kate and I will generally be splitting the upcoming services (rather than both of us being present) to limit our personal exposure as well as yours. We also will not be shaking hands or having close contact with anyone for a while. When possible, we will try to greet people outside on the church steps.
  • As we will remind you tomorrow night if you attend the candlelight service, the Bishop requires that you not blow out your candles indoors at the conclusion of the service. Everyone lowering their masks and doing so is just asking for trouble. So either take them outside, snuff them with your fingers, or dip them in the bowls of water which will be provided around the church.

I hope this email was able to dispel more anxiety than it created. Please know that we are trying very hard to properly balance competing priorities by worshiping together during this holy season while also keeping everyone as safe as possible. We thank you for understanding and following these precautions as we navigate the ever-changing landscape of this pandemic. As always, feel free to hit "Reply" if you would like to discuss any of this with me further. I would normally say you can also call me, but I do have a sermon to finish for tomorrow night. :)

I wish you all a blessed Christmas and look forward to being with many of you tomorrow, whether in-person or online.

Blessings,
Dave+