Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
do not be alarmed, for I am your God.
I give you strength, truly I help you,
truly I hold you firm with my saving right hand."
(Isaiah 41:10, NJB)
Much
has unfolded since I wrote to you less than 48 hours ago. Just
yesterday, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a
global pandemic. Major universities, including many in our own Diocese,
have closed their classrooms. Employers large and small, some in our own
Diocese, are directing employees to stay home and telework. Numerous
dioceses, including the Dioceses of Virginia and Washington, D.C., have
suspended or sharply curtailed church activity.
To
safeguard our people and those in our communities and to mitigate the
rapid, uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus, all church activity
including worship is suspended immediately for a period of two weeks in
the Diocese of Southern Virginia.
During
this suspension, we will monitor forthcoming guidance from the Centers
for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, and healthcare
professionals in our own communities and assess new developments and the
precautions they require.
Further guidance will be issued by March 26.
As
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry wrote in a statement released today:
"The next 30-60 days at the least are simply going to be unlike anything
we have experienced in recent history...The dilemma of what we know and
what we don't know will continue to complicate our decision making and
our lives."
Holding
one another and all affected by this pandemic in our prayers, let us
remain steadfast and faithful, trusting that the One who promises to
"hold you firm with my saving right hand" is abidingly faithful.
Let
us encourage one another by being purposeful in finding ways to remain
connected with one another electronically or by phone, so that together
we sustain our spiritual health and as one body and respond in ways that
safeguard our physical health and that of others.
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Dear friends,
I am grateful for Bishop Haynes’ leadership as we all navigate these unfamiliar waters together. Here at St. Andrew’s,
we will be offering Sunday worship online, including a sermon. We also plan to offer the Lenten evening
Toxic Charity
study
online. We will send out more information about these electronic
offerings tomorrow, once we have finished laying plans.
Even
though we will not be gathering in person on Sunday morning, we can
still worship God together. Gathering online will be a new adventure for
us! And for those who are not able to participate electronically,
remember that our
Book of Common Prayer
contains many worship services for public and private use, including Morning Prayer (Rite I, page 37; Rite II, page 75).
While
it is indeed disappointing not to be able to gather together in person
for worship, not doing so may save lives. As Christians we are called to
care for one another, and putting up with this inconvenience is one way
for us embody that care.
This
is a difficult and scary time. The good news is that we are not
alone. We are never alone. God is here with us, surrounding us with love
and blessing. I pray that you feel his close presence in the coming
days.
Every blessing.
Anne
A Prayer:
Dear
God, we know that you have promised to be with us at all times and in
all situations. As our world faces the Coronavirus pandemic, we ask for
your help and blessing and mercy. We pray for your healing for all who
are ill, your comfort for all who are mourning or afraid, and your
guidance for all medical professionals and researchers working to cure
this virus. And we pray for ourselves, that in this and every
circumstance, we may be good caretakers of one another, in your name and
for your sake. Amen.
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