Bishop Mariann extends suspension of public worship until May 16

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March 16, 2020

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The Lord is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved . . .
Psalm 46:1-2

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Dear Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington,

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I give thanks to God for each of you and for your courage and creativity as we all adjust to the constraints required of us. Your entire diocesan staff is praying for you, that you may feel Christ’s abiding presence as you tend to your loved ones and all within your sphere of pastoral concern. We are here to support you in any way we can. 

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I write with further guidance regarding worship service suspension and to advise you of regional clergy telephone gatherings that we are scheduling for tomorrow and Wednesday, March 17 and 18.

 

In keeping with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s most recent recommendation to cancel or postpone all gatherings of 50 or people for the next 8 weeks and in consultation with the Presiding Bishop, I am instructing all public services and other church gatherings be suspended until May 16th. 

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Rest assured that if these recommendations are lifted--and we all pray that this crisis passes sooner--I will re-open our churches gladly. For now, I want us all to have sufficient clarity to prepare for what lies ahead, most notably, Holy Week and Easter Sunday without physically gathering in church. 

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The spiritual, pastoral and financial implications of this pandemic are beyond what any of us can fully grasp or predict. But you belong to a diocesan community and we are in this together. 

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As I write, Canon Andrew Walter and your regional deans are working to schedule clergy video/telephone gatherings for tomorrow and Wednesday. Please watch for a notice from your dean and make your call a priority. I will be present for all of them, along with members of the senior diocesan staff. We want to hear your concerns, share your good suggestions and resources, and make plans together for the coming weeks. The diocesan staff are working to address financial hardships, coordinate resources, and ensure needed care, doing all we can to ease the load for you and your people.  

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The storm we are in will one day pass and getting through it is our primary task. How we pray now, how we lead now, how we support one another and our people now, how we serve our community in Christ’s name now will inform our future ministries far longer than the storm itself. 

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Remember that Jesus is in the boat with us. 

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Faithfully,

+Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde

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Essential Parish Operations

Maintaining essential functions during this period of closure and adhering to social distancing guidance requires a change in how we do business. 

In accordance with guidance from the Centers Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the mandates of our local governments  to limit the size of gatherings, the Diocese of Washington requires all parishes to adhere to the following protocols until further notice.
 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Recordings for worship services from the Nave or other parish facility

• Recordings of instrumental music (organ, piano, etc.) for worship if not able to be done remotely

• Processing of mail and deliveries for current operations

• Processing of accounts receivable and payable, if not able to be done remotely

• Facility cleaning

PROTOCOLS

Staff responsible for these essential functions are asked to:

• Limit onsite work to one day a week

• Remain at the office for no longer than six hours, less if possible

• Stagger onsite work so that no more than four persons are present at a time 

• Maintain distances of at least 6 feet between persons when onsite

• Wipe all surfaces touched with a disinfecting wipe at entry and at departure

• Wash hands upon entry and before departure

• Wipe incoming materials (mail, packages, etc) with a disinfecting wipe and wash hands after handling

• Park in spaces less visible to the public and/ or put a sign on the door with notification that offices are closed

Anyone who has been in close contact within 14 days of someone diagnosed with COVID-19, or anyone with symptoms of the virus, should not visit the worksite

As we prepare to re-open in the weeks/months to come, a deep cleaning of every parish facility is encouraged. Please see the Hygiene Best Practices and Cleaning of Facilities page in our COVID-19 resource hub for names of companies who perform this service and helpful terms to understand when working with vendors. 

If anyone affiliated with facility use has tested positive for COVID-19, this cleaning is required.

A Letter from Fr. Chris

 

Dear Parish Family,

 

We are living in strange times which require the world to adapt to new situations in a way that we previously would never have dreamed of. The coronavirus not only has caused countless communities around the globe to rethink how people can safely interact with each other, but has forced the Church to reimagine what it means to live in community. Below is a letter from Bishop Mariann which outlines how all parishes in the Diocese of Washington are to function on the face of a global pandemic.

 

In short, all parishes are to cease any and all functions where people assemble until March 25th. This includes all worship services, meetings, hall rentals, 12 step groups, and functions such as SMTMD events and our annual St. Patrick’s Dinner, etc. This dramatic step is to protect those who are vulnerable among us by eliminating the opportunity to spread the virus via public assemblies. Unfortunately, all public spaces, such as the parish hall and the church, will remain locked during the next two weeks. Staff have been directed to work from home during this time. Bishops from the neighboring  Diocese of Maryland and the Diocese of Virginia will also enact these same directives for their parishes.

 

This Sunday, our Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry will preach to this situation at a service that will be streamed live from the Washington National Cathedral at 11:15 a.m. The link for this service can be found below. I will also make devotional material available on our website at www.cckqp.net for you to be able to worship at home. The information concerning this virus and how we should respond to it is changing at a rapid pace. Our website will be updated regularly and will reflect the latest information on where we stand.

 

My utmost concern is your wellbeing. I will be available to tend to any pastoral needs that arise. Please do not hesitate to call or text me on my cell at 410.253.3664. I am here for you, so please let me know how I can be helpful.

 

Please keep all who are affected with the virus, as well as, those charged with managing this crisis in your prayers. Also, keep Bishop Mariann and the rest of our Diocese in your prayers. The British couldn’t destroy Christ Church during the War of 1812 and neither will this virus. Clear heads, calm thinking, and God’s help will allow us to “Keep on, keeping on!”

 

Faithfully yours in Christ,

Chris +