Dear People of Annunciation,
This morning (May 6), we were greeted with the headline that new COVID-19 infections have reached a 7-month low in the United States. While it may be premature to say the pandemic is behind us, it does seem that we are rounding a corner. I took my first in-person meeting outside of the parish since March 2020, and I have another scheduled next week. It is nice to see colleagues once again in real life and not in Zoom boxes!
With the rise in vaccinations, along with many of our Northern Lights returning North, we will no longer be asking you to notify us that you wish to attend services in-person or tracking attendance at our liturgies. That said, our other pandemic restrictions remain in effect as most are part of a directive by Bishop Smith on all parishes of the Diocese of Southwest Florida. I am aware that our bishop is currently considering how they may be relaxed, but I am obligated to uphold them as part of my ordination vows until new guidance is issued.
All of that said, I need your feedback. I am aware we have a diversity of opinions in our parish about what should happen. I need a quantitative method of understanding where we are as a parish, particularly as the pandemic has interrupted our informal patterns of conversation and communication. In the event I am required to make a decision independent of diocesan guidance, I want a general sense of the comfort level of the collective parish community. Your input will help me make decisions that will lead us in a successful direction over the coming weeks.
This survey has 8 multiple choice questions. A few questions are directed to our year-round members regarding this summer, but others are also for our “Northern Lights” in order that we may start planning for events that might happen in fall or winter. To fill out the survey, please click here. It should be quick to finish. If you are married, I invite you and your spouse to answer the survey separately.
Blessings,
Matthew+
