This provides an update regarding our plans to return to in-person services. As you are all aware, a team has been diligently working on the plans to execute a modified in-church service. As aligned by the Vestry, the starting of these services is predicated on meeting two criteria:

As of late last week, both criteria were being met and we were targeting a July 5 start date. However, in the last several days, criterion #1 is no longer being met as cases in Hamilton and Warren Counties have been increasing. We follow this data closely, and the increase in cases is not just a function of increased testing. This situation has been raised as a troubling concern by both the Governor and the Hamilton County Commissioner. As a result, the Executive Committee believes it is prudent to delay our opening until both criteria are being met, which hopefully can still be in mid-July.

We are excited that we have a plan ready to go. Not being able to put this plan into action yet is frustrating for us all, but it is a decision that is consistent with the principles the Vestry established weeks ago.

As communicated last week, we have had a team working the multiple details of our re-opening plans. This work has been guided by input from the Vestry as well as guidelines provided by local government and the Diocese of Southern Ohio. As we also communicated last week, our primary goal is to make in-person worship as safe and healthy as we are able for those who decide to attend. We are confident we have a good plan. That said, the current environment is still not conducive for large group gatherings. 

We appreciate your patience and support as we eagerly await the opportunity to begin executing our building re-entry plans. We do hope that the local data reverses course in the coming weeks, so we can open our red doors for in-person worship. We’ll keep you posted and hope to be able to open our doors soon!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Nancy+

John Davies, Senior Warden