Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I am very sad to tell you that we have decided to return to services online, as a way of keeping each other safe from COVID. The numbers in our area are very high–higher than they were last year–and, in addition, the new variant is much more infectious. People who have been vaccinated and have received the booster shot have also been contracting it.
The current thinking in the reports I’ve been reading is that this version should peak in the near future and begin dropping–perhaps as soon as the beginning of February. I am hoping and praying that we will be able to be back together in person by Lent (March 2). Until then, though, we will gather on zoom.
Dodd Lamberton, our substitute organist, is willing to provide music and lead the singing for us. We can mute ourselves and carol away to our heart’s content in the privacy of our homes–spiritual karaoke! After all, St. Augustine wrote, “The one who sings prays twice.” And more prayer is what we desperately need at this time!
We will also share the Eucharist. Although we cannot receive the precious Body and Blood of Christ in person at this time, we trust that we can reach out and touch our Lord spiritually, and be graced by his wonderful presence.
Although we are all disappointed, let’s continue to trust in God and to pray fervently for all those affected by COVID. And for everyone who works in COVID-affected professions, especially healthcare workers, EMTs, and those people serving the public. I am giving thanks for researchers and scientists who have already brought us some breakthroughs and pray that they will speedily find additional new preventatives and treatments.
The zoom link for Sunday’s service will be in the red notification bar on the top of the website. It will change every Sunday for security reasons.