8 February 2021
Dear Clergy,
The Task Force on Operations met last week to discuss the trend of the decreasing incidence of the Covid-19 virus in the diocese and the possibilities for re-gathering for in-person, indoor worship in our churches. In recent communications we have indicated that a 5% positivity rate sustained over a two-week period would be the threshold at which we would open conversation about the possibility of regathering in churches by region. We have been keeping a close eye on the figures and anticipate that in the next few weeks several of our counties will be at a 5% positivity rate or lower.
One of the pieces of feedback that our committee has received repeatedly has been around the ability (as we are best able) to make recommendations for the practice of worship that will be sustained for some time. We have heard that there is frustration among you and your congregants when the “rules change every other week.” And so, to honor the desire for consistency as is best available to us in a pandemic, the following process has been developed:
- Canons Linder and/or Morrow will work with you to review your plan for conducting services in the time of a pandemic. All of the previous mitigation techniques (masks, distancing, etc.) will remain in place.
- When a positivity rate of 5% or less has been sustained in your county for 4 weeks in a row (two weeks beyond the initial contact with diocesan offices) then the church will be deemed safe to regather with appropriate plans in place. The 4-weeks total display of 5% or less is designed to ensure that the abatement of the virus in your area is sustained, and that you will not rush to regather one week only to find the number climbing again the next week, causing the need to again, withdraw from gathering. We are hoping that this will help in consistency of practice in worship.
- Once in-person, indoor worship has resumed, the continuation of services will depend on ongoing favorable statistics of virus incidence and by conversation with diocesan staff.
A note about vaccines:
The Task Force on Operations is not offering protocol based on the incidence of vaccination for these three reasons: those who are vaccinated may still be carriers of the disease, the availability of the vaccine in our area is irregular, and some among us may not choose to receive the vaccine thus creating a barrier that says that vaccination is a prerequisite for receiving the ministration and consolation of the Church. We urge you to follow the recommendations of your healthcare provider with regards to receiving the vaccine.
Overall, we pray for patience, strength and flexibility in this time. The Task Force recognizes that each particular parish has its own unique set of circumstances and that is why the protocol is rooted in conversation and working through a plan with a diocesan staff member.
Please know that the impetus to regather when possible is a decision for each Rector/Priest-in Charge to make in consultation with the Vestry of the parish. If you are uncomfortable about leading worship in person, please let me know. The option of offering Communion Under Special Circumstances and/or worshipping in the out-of-doors remains an option in these times. As the days grow longer and the temperatures warm, gathering outside may be the best option for many of our congregations.
The goal of the Task Force is to find ways for our parishes to worship safely in this extraordinary time.
With gratitude for your careful and faithful shepherding of your congregations in this time,
we are yours in the Way of Love,
