The Omicron Variant

Dear friends,

We have made the difficult decision to cancel the January 22 session of Requiem or Renaissance for Cohort 1 due to the Omicron surge. We considered an all-Zoom session, but it would be very challenging to meet our goals for the first meeting with no in-person interaction possible.

Our next scheduled meeting for Cohort 1 is in April, but we will not wait until April to begin our work. Stay tuned in the coming days and weeks as we seek to pivot our program to adjust to our evolving circumstances. For now, please watch the Welcome video below and share it with your congregation. We suggest using it as part of your parish Annual Meeting and linking to it in your weekly parish email and worship bulletin.

Thank you for your flexibility as we seek the best scientific advice while trying to build the best quality experience for you in this program. Adaptability is a core principle of Requiem or Renaissance, and we're currently getting the opportunity to practice it in real time!

Peace be with you in this season of Epiphany!

Pax,

Canon Whitney

From Requiem or Renaissance Chaplain Sally Weaver:

Consider using the following prayer in a Sunday worship service (possibly during Announcements time) to initiate the work of the “Requiem or Renaissance” team.

Commissioning of the Team for “Requiem or Renaissance”

Gracious and loving God, bless this team of clergy and parishioners as they embark upon the Diocesan “Requiem or Renaissance” discernment process. By your design, none of us knows what lies ahead. We are certain, however, that when we call upon you for help, your Spirit will show us the way, leading us into this parish’s blessed future. Be with this team and the entire congregation in this discernment process so that we may follow faithfully wherever we are being led. In Jesus’ holy name we pray. Amen.

Consider adding the following bidding to the worship service’s Prayers of the People to keep the “Requiem or Renaissance” team in everyone’s prayers. (The wording of the final bidding and the response may need to be modified based on the form of the Prayers of the People being used.)

Bidding for the “Requiem or Renaissance” Team during the Prayers of the People

Be with the “Requiem or Renaissance” team as they discern, with God’s help, the trajectory of this parish’s future. Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.