Peace of Christ be with us all.

As you may have seen my email of Friday morning, I alerted you that information regarding best practices during the COVID-19 epidemic were changing sometimes hour-by-hour. That is exactly what has happened today and why I reach out to you again.

News from local agencies, health-care professionals, and the leadership of churches is now suggesting that the risk of in-person gathering at this time poses too many risks to vulnerable people. Many houses of worship throughout the country are closed this weekend in the face of the epidemic. Unnecessary congregating of people for any reason is being universally discouraged.

Despite a strong desire of many of us to seek solace and comfort from worshipping together, it is just such an action that could conspire to spread the virus.

As such, the Bishop’s Committee and I, in concert with our Bishop, are cancelling all services this weekend at St. John’s. We will not be meeting for Eucharist tonight (Saturday) nor tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. or at 10 a.m. This will be the course for at least the next two weeks.

I suggest that we join our Bishop Taylor at 10 a.m. Sunday morning, March 15 on the Diocesan Facebook page as he leads us in prayer and blessing. Bishop Curry will also be hosting a live Eucharist online at the same hour. It is too short a notice for us to be prepared to do a live feed today and tomorrow, but be assured we shall be ready early next week.

Please keep contact with one another. In this Lenten season, it will be a blessing for you to offer some of the time you would have given towards coming to church and to call a member of the community who would be glad to hear from you.

Again, pray for each other. Rev. Karen and I extend deep love to you all and wish health to you and yours.

Christopher†