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A Pastoral Message from Bishop Gayle E. Harris

A Pastoral Message from Bishop Gayle E. Harris

March 20, 2020 by Susan Kryczka in / /

March 20, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ:

God of grace and God of glory,
on thy people pour thy power;
crown thine ancient Church’s story;
bring her bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the facing of this hour…
…for the living of these days.
From Hymn 594, The Hymnal 1982, Words by Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878-1969)

A few days ago I sent some of my thoughts to the vocational deacons of our diocese, and I wish to share those and other reflections with all among and connected to us during this time of crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

These are difficult days for the people of Planet Earth, our island home.  These are challenging days for Christ’s Body, the Church.  While the pandemic of COVID-19 has forced the isolation of one from another, and the present global fear is new to most of us in 2020, pandemics and fear are not new in humanity, nor to the Church.

We can remember the fear and the epidemics of SARS, MERS, Ebola and other diseases that most of us have not experienced directly.  As a seminarian, I was involved with ministries in Oakland and San Francisco when AIDS, mysterious and unnamed, began to strike fear.  As I was growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, my parents lived with fear every spring trying to keep me inside for fear of my contracting polio, as my uncles did (one died, one was disabled), until the vaccine was developed and widely distributed when I was about eight years old.

The influenza pandemic of 1918, yellow fever, smallpox, bubonic plague, the Black Death–the list goes on of deadly communicable diseases that have visited us.  All began as mysterious, even invisible, agents of panic, suffering and death.

And what are now “childhood diseases” were at times intentionally given to the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas by invading Europeans to cause death among those who had no immunity.

The precautions mandated by Governor Baker of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the directives of our Bishop Diocesan Alan Gates and the statements by our Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry have been for our protection, and largely to curtail exposure to COVID-19.  They will temporarily keep us from public worship and providing ministry in our physical presence, but they do not dismantle our pastoral and spiritual ministries in the world and with each other.

I, like you, miss being present with others.  I long for the sacrament of the Eucharist, not only the act of the community of faith, but the grace and strength I need to keep hope alive in these days.  I turned to my St. Augustine Prayer Book, to the section titled “Spiritual Communion: When unable to attend the Mass,” and these words jumped off the page:

Behold, I stand at the door and knock:
if any hear my voice, and open the door,
I will come to them,
and will sup with them
and they with me.
–Revelation 3:20

In union, dear Lord, with the faithful at every altar of thy Church where the blessed body and blood are being offered to the Father, I desire to offer thee praise and thanksgiving.  I believe that Thou art truly present in the Holy Sacrament.  And since I cannot now receive thee sacramentally, I beseech thee to come spiritually into my heart.

I unite myself unto thee, and embrace thee with all the affections of my soul.  Let me never be separated from thee.  Let me live and die in thy love. Amen.
–St. Augustine of Hippo

As we do continue in a spiritual community, we can offer solace and ministry to those who are alone, vulnerable, afraid, confused and ill by communicating our presence in ways to which we are unaccustomed, by the use of telephone, electronic and social media.  Let us also rely on the power of prayer to encourage and support one another.  As members of the Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement we have a rich and creative tradition to face days like these.  We also have the liturgical and spiritual resources of several hymnals and The Book of Common Prayer.  It is time to rediscover the wealth of prayers and worship services for individuals and families within it.  These resources can help us to articulate our hopes and needs, especially when words may fail us.  If you do not have a copy, The Book of Common Prayer is available online here.

The Daily Offices are prayerful worship services intended for congregations, individuals and families, and do not require clergy to officiate.  Please see the following:

Pages 17-135
Morning Prayer (Rite I or II)
Evening Prayer (Rite I or II)
Compline (for the end of the day)

Page 136-143
Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families:
In the Morning
At Noon
In the Early Evening
At the Close of the Day

Pages 814-841
Prayers and Thanksgivings (Various)

St. Augustine of Hippo once said “they who sing pray twice” acknowledging that in song we tie heart and mind with our whole body in the act of singing.  As I turn to prayer, our hymnals and the spirituals of the black religious experience keep coming to mind.  The one hymn from The Hymnal 1982 that continually comes to mind, and that I pray for the world, is Hymn 680, with words by Isaac Watts (1674-1748):

O God, our help in ages past, our help for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast and our eternal home.

May we continue in faith and may we know God’s grace is present to give us strength and hope.  Let us pray for the sick and isolated among us, and those who are despondent and disconsolate from fear.  Let us also pray for first responders, the medical community, government leaders and biological scientists and researchers to be led by courage, compassion and the wisdom of God.

Yours in Christ,
+Gayle
The Rt. Rev. Gayle E. Harris

Update: March 22 Service

Update: March 22 Service

March 19, 2020 by Susan Kryczka in / /

Dear Friends of Emmanuel,

Emmanuel Church live services are suspended for the foreseeable future. Any updates from the diocese or Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will be posted on the website and sent by email.

– Joyce’s sermon for this Sunday, March 22 will be on our website by Sunday night, as usual.  We continue to consider other options. We will let you know about these as we move forward.

–Many churches in our Episcopal diocese are live-streaming services. We encourage you to choose one from the link below and attend virtually.

List of congregations live-streaming and podcasting worship services

These are conducted with no in-person worshipers. Only one or two people are in attendance to serve or help with the technology. These services can indeed be a deeply moving spiritual experience and strengthen our collective faith as we continue to be united by God’s word.

–Other faith communities have also suspended services.  Read the story in the March 19 edition of the Bulletin newspapers. Joyce’s picture is on the front page:  https://bulletinnewspapers.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/4/8/114832579/wr_ros_bulletin_pages_1_to_16__19march2020.pdf

Take care of yourselves. Pray for all affected by this health emergency.

In Christ,

John and Susan, Wardens

 

 

 

Message from Emmanuel Wardens and March 16 Communication from Bishop Alan Gates

March 16, 2020 by Susan Kryczka in / /

Dear Friends of Emmanuel,

I write to inform you that Sunday worship services have been suspended indefinitely for the foreseeable future.

We are currently exploring several online streaming options that will enable you to share in Sunday worship online and will bring more details shortly

Below is an excerpt of the most recent communication from the office of Bishop of the Diocese of Massachusetts:

 

“Thank you for your faithful leadership and care for your respective congregations in these past few days.  We have been gratified by reports of the innovative ways you are finding to worship and to support one another in virtual community.

At this moment it is important to communicate new restrictions by which we must abide given the latest mandates from Governor Baker, effective immediately, and to let you know of several Zoom meetings set up for clergy (and wardens-in-charge) on Tuesday and Thursday of this week to discuss best practices, breaking developments and local response to the care of our neighbors.  Please review thoroughly all details of this letter, and last week’s two communiques.

We look forward to sharing additional learnings from last Sunday’s online worship experiences, as well as further resources and pastoral messages later in the week.

Faithfully and gratefully,

The Rt. Rev. Alan M. Gates

The Rt. Rev. Gayle E. Harris

Public Worship Services

Given Governor Baker’s directive, all public worship services are to be canceled through and including Palm Sunday, April 5.  Congregations are encouraged to live-stream services.  Those gathering in person to conduct online streaming or broadcasts must number fewer than 25 and follow the protocols distributed on March 11 and March 12, found here.

Planning Ahead

The COVID-19 crisis is likely to extend beyond the current period of the public health directive.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now suggesting protocols extending at least eight weeks.  Please plan for disruptions and cancellations beyond April 5.

Weddings and Funerals

Weddings and funerals will likely need to be postponed, given Governor Baker’s directive.  Should such services take place, no more than 25 persons may attend and the protocols for safe gathering must be followed.

Cleaning and Disinfecting

The following guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting come from the CDC and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are commended to congregations and church-affiliated ministries:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/cleaning-disinfection.html

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/controlprevention.html#health”

We will share other ways of staying in touch with your parish family in coming days.

We ask that you refer to the Emmanuel website at  www.emmanuelwr.org  for the latest updates.

Please take care of each other during this challenging time and remember that social distancing does not mean social isolation.

In Christ,

Susan and John

Message regarding church services at Emmanuel for Sunday, March 15 and other information

March 13, 2020 by Susan Kryczka in / /

Dear Friends of Emmanuel,

We are dealing with an unprecedented public health crisis surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The leadership at Emmanuel, following guidance from the Diocese of Massachusetts and National church, has decided that the following measures will be taken to enforce the recommended social distancing to limit the risk of infection transmission.

The Service:

  • This coming Sunday March 15th, we will celebrate a simple spoken Eucharist, an abbreviated sermon, without procession, choir or music.  CDC recommends maintaining a minimum of six feet of separation between people at all times.
  • People should remain in their pews for the Peace, and not shake hands or otherwise have physical contact with others. A wave or bow will suffice.
  • The sermon will be taped and uploaded to the Emmanuel website, as usual.
  •  Rev. Joyce will keep the host at the altar and only wafers without wine will be offered at communion.
  • Collection plates will not be passed, but left at the rear and front of the church to receive your weekly offering. 
  • Choir practice and coffee hour are canceled until further notice.
  • Sunday school is also suspended until further notice.

The situation is very fluid at the moment. We are considering livestreaming the liturgy in the future. We will continue to evaluate and modify plans depending on ongoing public health recommendations. Rev. Joyce will offer further instructions on Sunday if necessary.

Please do not attend the service if you have been unwell with a cough, sore throat or fever, or in contact with anyone who has these symptoms or has recently traveled internationally.

A message from Rev. Dr. Joyce Caggiano:

 “We are in a most unusual and difficult time. The Coronavirus is unseeable but has created the greatest disruption the world has ever known. And so, on the advice of medical professionals and ecclesiastical authorities we will need to change our way of serving God and one another.

Our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry put it this way, “obedience to the moral primacy of love for the neighbor must direct us.”  Today God is calling us to stretch our hearts and minds and love one another by separating ourselves physically but even more intensely to spiritually hold one another close.”

Emmanuel Church Leadership

 

Bishop Gates issues additional COVID-19 response guidance

March 12, 2020 by Susan Kryczka in / /

Please note the additional COVID-19 guidance from Bishop Gates. We are reviewing this to determine what changes may need to be made to our service and other activities in the best interests of the health of our community.

Bishop Alan M. Gates issued the following pastoral guidance on March 12, 2020, which supplements directives issued on March 11, posted here.  A Spanish-language version will be available on the diocesan website soon.  See a growing list of congregations live-streaming and podcasting services here.

March 12, 2020

Dear Colleagues in the Diocese of Massachusetts,

The circumstances surrounding COVID-19 and our response continue to evolve rapidly.  I know that you are all doing your utmost to make decisions in your local settings, and I am deeply grateful.  This morning the response advisory group has convened and given me their best wisdom, on the basis of which I am writing with guidelines and counsel further to yesterday’s communique.

In all of this we face dilemmas of incomplete epidemiological information and varying pastoral imperatives that do not always point clearly in a single direction.  God invites us to respond as fully as we can, with the best information we have, with both patience and timely determination, and with hearts full of compassion and concern for the most vulnerable in our midst.

1.    I support the decision of any clergy (or wardens-in-charge) who choose to suspend worship and/or other activities at this time.  Our local contexts vary widely.  We differ in the size and demographic populations of a congregation; the guidance of local community health organizations; essential community ministries conducted by a congregation; church architecture; parish resources to assure the carrying out of safety guidelines; and much more.  Local leaders should understand themselves completely authorized to make this decision on the basis of their context, and though not mandating closure at this time, I support a decision to close made by any congregation’s leaders.

2.    Those in high-risk groups are urged to avoid all large group gatherings, including worship.  Health officials have identified the following persons as facing particular risk from the COVID-19 virus:  persons age 60 or older; anyone with a respiratory condition such as asthma or emphysema; anyone with an autoimmune disorder; anyone with heart disease or diabetes; anyone currently or recently undergoing chemotherapy; and smokers.  Those in these groups should remain apart from large group gatherings, including worship.

3.    The immediate suspension of all other activities such as church school classes, coffee hours, etc., is strongly recommended.  Christian formation resources which can be distributed for home use, or virtual gatherings for study and mutual support are encouraged.

4.    Churches which do hold services of public worship must adhere scrupulously to the detailed safety guidelines issued yesterday.

5.    Group and committee meetings should be postponed, rescheduled or conducted by Zoom or other electronic means, unless an in-person meeting is absolutely necessary.

6.    Parish staff members whose position does not require them to be on site at the church should be encouraged to work at home.

7.    Any church in a community in which health officials have identified a heightened concern by virtue of a confirmed diagnosis; or in which public schools have closed; or whose church membership includes those who have attended such events known to have been affected, such as the Biogen or CEEP conferences, should exercise an abundance of caution in their decision to close.

8.    Those not in high risk groups who have been asymptomatic for the past two weeks are urged to step up to help assure that parish and community ministries which provide life-sustaining assistance to others can continue!  Shelter ministries, food programs, recovery groups and many others will be without key volunteers for a time, and will rely on help from those who can manifest the concern of the church to keep them going.

9.    All are urged to support fellow parishioners and neighbors in high risk groups, enabling them to stay safe in this time, and to support your church.  Phone calls, errands, meals delivered and other ways to support anyone practicing self-quarantine will embody Christian compassion.  Your continued financial support of your church will also be absolutely essential to maintaining all of our programs, ministries and life together in the weeks and months ahead.  

10.   Alternative opportunities are available for worship, for those in congregations suspending their services or for those observing their own cautionary social distancing.  We are all encouraged, even obligated, to offer our prayers and worship especially in such moments.  A growing list of congregations live-streaming and podcasting services is available here.  Additionally, a tutorial on streaming via Facebook Live is offered by St. Anne’s-in-the-Fields Church in Lincoln here.

As new information and guidance continues apace, this will doubtless not be my last communication with you.  During this rapidly changing situation, it is wise to be preparing for further disruptions, including the possibility of mandatory closures in our communities.  I am grateful for the now-expanded advisory group of epidemiologists and crisis responders who continue to share with me their wisdom.  Let us all pray for one another in these times, that God’s Spirit will lead us unfailingly and strengthen us constantly.

Faithfully yours in Christ,

The Rt. Rev. Alan M. Gates

 

Bishops issue March 11 COVID-19 directive

March 11, 2020 by Susan Kryczka in / / /

Bishop Alan M. Gates and Bishop Gayle E. Harris have issued the following directive, effective immediately and until further notice.  It replaces previously issued guidelines.  A Spanish-language version will be available as soon as possible.  The directive is available in full as a PDF here and on the diocesan website here.

March 11, 2020

Dear People of the Diocese of Massachusetts,

As cases of the coronavirus COVID-19 increase rapidly in Massachusetts, we seek to respond in a manner that both takes appropriate precautions to protect our communities and to reduce the anxiety and fear associated with this public health crisis.  We have assembled a small group of persons who bring expertise in epidemiology, public health and disaster response to provide guidance for our congregations and related organizations, drawing on the wisdom of public health officials and focusing on matters specific to church contexts.

Based on their counsel, we are today issuing the mandates detailed below, which are effective immediately and until further notice.  They include significant changes that the current circumstances now call for, including that communion is to be distributed in the form of consecrated bread only; offering plates are not to be passed among the people; and at the Peace people should greet one another without physical touch of any kind.  We ask you to read in full and heed the mandated protocols and additional recommended practices detailed below.  These mandates and recommendations replace previously distributed guidelines.

We are deeply grateful for all the ways that you are already caring for one another and all the ways you will continue to do so in the days ahead.  We ask that you keep up your efforts to check on and find ways to support those who are vulnerable, isolated, unwell or in quarantine, through prayer, phone and video calls and errands.  Thank you for continuing to be mindful of those whose incomes may be disrupted during this time.  Include in your unceasing prayers those who are medical care providers and first responders, and those who are at higher risk of exposure because of their direct public service.

As we said in last week’s messages, it is important to continue to stay informed via credible sources.  Stay connected by all means available, while remembering, as part of our self-care, to take intentional time away from newsfeeds and devices, for the prayer, quiet and restorative activity that will return us less anxious and more ready to serve Christ in the days ahead.

As Presiding Bishop Michael Curry reminds all of us in his March 10 statement:  We are in this together.

Faithfully,

The Rt. Rev. Alan M. Gates
The Rt. Rev. Gayle E. Harris

 

COVID-19 Response

Mandated Protocols as of March 11, 2020

Preparing for a service:

•    Baptismal fonts and holy water stoups are to be cleansed and are to remain empty unless there is a baptism. Ministers of baptism are to wash their hands with soap and warm water prior to the service and use hand sanitizer immediately before the baptismal rite.

•    Altar rails, processional crosses, torches and other liturgical implements are to be cleansed with a disinfectant prior to and after each use.

•    Altar Guild members are to wash their hands with soap and warm water prior to handling communion vessels.

At the Eucharist:

•    All ministers of communion are to wash their hands with soap and warm water for at least 30 seconds immediately prior to the service, and to use a hand sanitizer of at least 60% alcohol content immediately prior to the Eucharistic Prayer.  If a large number of persons is present, use of hand sanitizer should be repeated during the distribution of communion. If hand sanitizer is unavailable, ministers of communion should wash their hands with soap and warm water immediately prior to handling communion vessels.

•    At the Peace, the people should greet one another without physical touch of any kind. A gentle bow, nod or namaste gesture is preferable. Elbow bumps are discouraged since people are encouraged to sneeze into their elbow to reduce the chance of transmitting the virus.

•    Offering plates are not to be passed among the people.  Plates or baskets should be placed in a location where the people may leave their offering. Ministers of communion are not to touch offering plates if they are presented at the altar.

•    The Eucharistic Prayer is to be said as usual, with a single chalice containing a small amount of the consecrated wine to remain on the altar during communion.  The consecrated wine should be returned to the earth in a reverent manner, or, if preferred, the celebrant alone may consume it.

Concerning the distribution of communion:

•    Communion is to be distributed in the form of consecrated bread only.  Wafers should be used instead of baked bread. It is perfectly acceptable, and sound theology, for communion to be received in one kind.

•    The consecrated wafer is to be delivered into the recipient’s hand, to avoid the communion minister’s hands touching the mouth of the recipient.

•    When offering a blessing instead of communion, extend a hand or make the sign of the cross over the person rather than touching them.

Caring for one another:

•    At healing rites, ministers are to cleanse their hands with hand sanitizer immediately before laying-on-of-hands and anointing of each person.  Only the designated healing minister is to pray with the person; groups are not to surround the person.

•    Clergy and other visitors to homebound or hospitalized persons, or those in care facilities, are to use hand sanitizer immediately before and after visiting with the sick or infirm person. Anyone who feels or, at any time during the prior two weeks, has felt unwell or run a fever is to refrain from home, hospital or nursing home visits.

•    Respect all safety protocols of hospitals or other care facilities.

•    Clergy are to respect the confidentiality of patients and all parishioners at all times and are to follow the directives of their local public health authorities.

Strongly Recommended Practices

•    Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content should be made available to all attending church services and events.

•    Remind people to cover coughs and sneezes.

•    Common areas, bathrooms and classrooms, especially handrails, doorknobs and faucets, should be cleaned and disinfected frequently and prior to each gathering.

•    Virtual gatherings* are encouraged where possible. Church or program staff may be encouraged to work from home, provided their physical presence is not required.

•    Food served at coffee hour, feeding programs or other gatherings should be in individual servings.  If food is not in individual servings, a person wearing a new pair of food service gloves should be assigned to pre-plate and serve the food. Serving utensils should be handled only by the person preparing and/or serving the food.

•    Persons who feel, or within the past two weeks, have felt unwell or run a fever are discouraged from attending church services or events, both for their own protection and the protection of others. If anyone in a household is unwell, everyone in the household should remain at home. In particular, the following persons who are at particular risk from COVID -19 should take extra precautions:
• Persons age 60 or over
• Anyone with a respiratory condition such as asthma or emphysema
• Anyone with an autoimmune disorder
• Anyone who is undergoing or has recently received chemotherapy
• Smokers

Lent 2020

Lent 2020

February 12, 2020 by Susan Kryczka in / /

A Call to Prayer, Fasting, and Repentance Leading to Action

An Invitation from Presiding Bishop Curry to Turn and Pray on Behalf our Nation

As the season of Lent approaches, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry invites Episcopalians and people of faith to turn and pray on behalf of our nation.

Read More