COVID-19 Info from Fr. G.

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

As your priest I am concerned for everyone’s well being, both physically and spiritually. After prayerful consideration and consultation with my wardens, I am making the following temporary alterations to our worship services:

1. Wednesday service including Stations of the Cross and Friday Lenten Program with Stations of the Cross will continue as scheduled.
2. During Sunday services, please observe the following guidelines:
   1. Instead of passing the offertory plate from hand to hand, it will be placed on a table in the front of the sanctuary and parishioners may place their offerings directly in the plate.
   2. During the Peace please avoid handshakes, hugs, and other physical contact, instead please acknowledge the Peace will a loving word, thought or gesture.
   3. During communion, until further notice, I will administer only the Host as a full communion.
   4. ​During Lion’s Den, hand sanitizer will be available on a table near the serving table. I strongly encourage everyone to please use the sanitizer prior to selecting snacks or beverages. I am asking each ministry that hosts Lion’s Den to wipe down the tables with disinfectant that will be provided.
3. Pastoral care team visits will occur only in parishioner’s homes. Only I will make visits to parishioners in assisted living or hospital facilities, that way I am the only one at risk, minimizing exposure to our church family.
4. Temporarily, I would like to begrudgingly ask our members to avoid trips to the office during the week unless absolutely necessary. Please call ahead to make an appointment.
5. For now the Food Pantry and MarkDowns Thrift Store will continue to operate as normally scheduled until further notice as we anticipate that there will be an increased need for these ministries as this pandemic continues. Those volunteers are asked to take reasonable precautions and additional cleaning measures.

I continue to urge everyone to stay home if they are not feeling well, to wash their hands regularly, cough or sneeze into their elbows, and all the other reasonable precautions. Have faith, pray constantly and for each other. God will get us through this difficult time, together.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. Gerardo Brambila+

Helpful resources:

• CDC updates and recommendations regarding COVID-19
• The Episcopal Church's online resource page regarding COVID-19
• Episcopal Relief & Development