Dear Ones,
I am writing to confirm that we are going to begin “hybrid” worship for our 10 o’clock service this Sunday, July 18.
This means that if you want to worship in person, you can choose between coming to our 8 o’clock (Rite I—traditional language) or 10 o’clock (Rite II—contemporary language) service. It also means that for those who would rather worship via Zoom or Facebook Live, you can still join in the 10 o’clock service in that way.
As a part of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California, St. Martin’s must do our very best to abide by the guidance given us by our Bishop and her task force. That means we will not have wine at Communion and will discourage congregational singing. I know these are important facets of our common worship that people miss very much. I miss them, too! For the time being, though, this is our reality. These are two things that will not change until we get word from the Bishop’s Office letting us know that their guidelines have changed.
In addition, we will continue for now to wear masks, practice physical distancing, and limit the number of people in the building together. I have made this decision in consultation with our Regathering Task Force, with the staff at St. Martins, with other Episcopal clergy within and outside the Diocese, and with clergy from a number of different congregations right here in Davis. None of this is easy and there are no guarantees that we’re doing exactly the right thing, but I can assure you that we are adhering to a plan that is neither the most restrictive nor the least restrictive for churches in this area.
Several people have expressed a desire to do away with the mask requirement, along with some other concerns about our current practices, so I’d like to explain in a little more detail why we will still ask people to wear masks and maintain appropriate physical distancing.
(1) The Diocesan guidelines that were issued in June ask that churches do an assessment of air circulation and ventilation in their buildings. This is in line with state regulations for worker safety, including in places of worship. I am coordinating with Jessie Ann Owens and Janet Lane, your Junior Warden and Chair of Buildings and Grounds, so that we can get an assessment and then find out what, if anything, needs to be done to improve ventilation in our buildings. None of this can be figured out overnight, so in the meantime I am erring on the side of caution.
(2) There is a reason that so many “super spreader” events have been traced to churches, in the context of worship and choir rehearsals. Coming to church for worship is a different experience than being in a store or even a restaurant. You are in one place for a significant period of time, potentially rubbing shoulders with people who are not members of your household. Requiring masks and physical distance and prohibiting singing should bring the risk down to a level that most of us will find acceptable (although there are some who will choose to stay home, for a number of reasons, and so we will continue to offer the best online worship experience we can).
(3) The COVID pandemic is not over and NO vaccine is 100% effective. Around the world and in certain parts of this country, cases are spiking and a new variant is prevailing. While we have a very high vaccination rate in our congregation, we do not and will not require proof of vaccination to enter the church (although we are complying with the Bishop’s guidance that worship leaders, including readers, ushers, and clergy, be vaccinated). In addition, many of us are traveling out of state and even internationally, not to mention that summer is a time when we often get visitors and newcomers. Putting all those factors together, there is no guarantee that people with non-symptomatic COVID will not be in worship.
(4) All are welcome. That means that children who cannot be vaccinated are welcome, as are their parents or caregivers. The same goes for people who are immunocompromised, for example due to illness, organ transplants, or treatment for cancer. These individuals need a safe environment for worship, just like the rest of us. Personally, that is my primary reason for often still wearing a mask indoors these days, even though I am fully vaccinated—solidarity with those who cannot safely go unmasked. Doing our very best to go that extra mile, with the wellbeing of others foremost in mind, is how we live out the command to love our neighbors as ourselves.
A few other details: You do not have to register for the services. Ushers will seat people on a first-come, first served basis. For the next couple of weeks we will limit seating to 65 in the nave and then will reassess and decide if we need to change that number. We will ask you to sign in and to acknowledge that the 10 o’clock service is being recorded. We will not record people as they come forward for Communion.
Finally, if you will be worshiping from home this Sunday and need pre-consecrated hosts for Communion, please contact the office by the end of the day Thursday, so we can have those ready for you for Saturday pickup or delivery. Thank you!
I know how much many of us really want things to be “back to normal” right now. While I understand and honor these feelings, I hope that instead of focusing on what isn’t available to us we can instead give thanks that our parish has largely been spared from the worst ravages of COVID-19 and also focus on how far we have come since March of 2020, or even March of 2021!
From being completely shut down and online only, we moved to holding outdoor worship on the labyrinth, prayer walks for Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, committals and graveside services, and even a rogation picnic, all without becoming a source of infection within the community. We have learned much from having the 8 o’clock service in person for the last month, and now we are ready for that next step in a responsible, gradual regathering process.
I am profoundly grateful to everyone who is making this progress possible. It really does take a lot of people’s time, energy, skill, and prayer to move us forward into these new possibilities. It also takes tremendous communal cooperation. So, thank you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing up, for pitching in, for trying new things, and for sharing your joys and your frustrations along the way.
Blessings,
Pamela+
