Dear Epiphany Parish,
After reviewing our Diocesan COVID-19 requirements and guidance, current CDC recommendations, results from our parish worship survey, and local COVID-19 transmission rates, the Executive Committee has approved the following COVID-19 protocols for our parish. These protocols will go into effect This Sunday, April 3rd. Of course, we will continue to monitor local rates of illness and transmission and we all should be prepared to adapt these protocols as necessary.
A few things to note:
- We will continue to offer both a phone service of Morning Prayer and a live stream of our in-person worship each week for anyone who is uncomfortable worshiping in-person, traveling, sick, or unable to be in-person for any other reason.
- Our current schedule of 8:30am Morning Prayer on the phone and 10:15am in-person and livestreamed service of Holy Communion will continue at least until early June.
-
The exception to the above is Easter Sunday. On Sunday, April 17th, we will offer an 8am service of Morning Prayer on the phone, a 9am in-person service of Holy Communion, and a 11am in-person and livestreamed service of Holy Communion.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Rev. Christen or our Senior Warden, George Ford.
Peace in Christ,
The Executive Committee of Epiphany Parish
Updated COVID-19 protocols effective April 3, 2022
Social Distancing: While many of the pews in our sanctuary are now open, some are still marked off to provide space for those who wish to social distance. The front half of the left side of the sanctuary (when facing the altar) has every-other pew roped off. We urge respect for each other’s comfort levels around distancing and will continue to refrain from passing the peace with physical contact.
Sunday School: Facemasks are optional for Sunday School teachers and students. We will continue to social distance during Sunday School and will run air purifiers and open windows in the undercroft. Sunday School may take place either indoors in the undercroft or outside.
Holy Communion: Holy Communion will be distributed around the altar rail. Ushers will direct you when to get up from your pew to go to the altar to receive Communion. For now, Communion will continue to be offered in one kind (bread/wafer only) and we will refrain from sharing the common cup. The Celebrant and Lay Eucharistic Ministers will continue to wear masks while distributing Holy Communion.
Fellowship Events: Fellowship events with food and drinks may take place but it is encouraged to serve individually wrapped foods and/or have designated servers to distribute food rather than shared serving utensils.
Vaccination: Following our Diocesan policies, full COVID vaccination, including available booster shots, is required of all persons, clergy or lay, who are engaged in ministry with the most vulnerable, including children age 12 and under, homebound or immune-compromised persons, and those in hospitals and care facilities.
If you are Sick: Please follow the latest CDC isolation and quarantine guidance if you are sick or have been exposed to COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html We ask that you join us virtually for worship if you are ill or have been exposed to COVID-19 within the past 10 days. We will continue to have sign-in sheets for everyone entering our building. If you test positive for COVID-19 and have attended in-person worship within 10 days of developing symptoms (or withing 10 days of testing positive if you have no symptoms) please contact our parish office to let us know.
