FROM THE RECTOR – June 25, 2020

I think for lack of a better word we are all just “tired”. On March 8, we started with no intinction or touching when the Peace was exchanged. Within the week in-person worship was suspended until at least March 30, then May 17, then July 1 and now August 2. Easter came without brass and timpani and lilies, Ranie Neislar’s ordination, wedding plans, bishop’s consecration, family gatherings, all dramatically changed or put on hold.

The sense of frustration and anxiety; the sheer exhaustion of altering every event and action, every encounter and errand, of learning Zoom and contactless grocery pickup; all of this is just too much. Those are feelings that are very real and patience is getting harder and harder to come by. What we thought would be an inconvenient couple of months is now turning into seasons and there is no end in sight.

And throughout this our worship has continued. Clearly in ways that we did not expect. From the comfort and safety of our homes we worship together. We raise our voices in prayer and song to give thanks and to ask for God’s guidance and presence during these times. There is comfort in knowing that even though we may not be physically present in Saint Paul’s that worship continues within these walls and that we are a part although virtually.

As the impact of the pandemic expands in the CSRA and infection rates and hospitalizations begin to rise, we are needing to be even more mindful of the manner in which we worship together. As you may have noticed, this past Sunday and again this Sunday, singers were not present. I, along with you, missed what those voices add to expression of praise and thanksgiving. The message of the Gospel in song is powerful. Not a day goes by that the words of some random hymn goes wafting through my head and heart. The decision to make a change was necessary and right, not easy, but right. The question I ask myself is this, “If I knew one of these singers was carrying the virus, would I be comfortable having them sing in this space?” The answer is “no”. The Truth is, we don’t know, and that is the scary thing.

So, as we move forward, Keith, our AV team and others will be working on creative ways to bring the joy and meaning of hymnody back into our Sunday morning. It may not be exactly what we want but it will be the best of what we are able to do.

Now, as we look to the future, the possibility of our return to in-person worship, we must be preparing ourselves. Things will be dramatically different. The Diocese of Georgia has been working closely with doctors, scientist and public health professionals to offer a plan for a gradual return. Bishop Logue in yesterday’s “From the Field” shared with the Diocese the “COVID-19 Safer Standards Chart”. These guidelines offer all parishes standards for the safest possible return. There will be a limit to 50 people within our worship space; there will be no Prayer Books, hymnals, Bibles or bulletins; there can be no singing, our time together will be limited to 40 minutes; masks and hand sanitizer are required; and the list goes on.

My prayer joins with others that we all will remain safe and healthy and that in God’s good time we will gather physically around God’s table, breaking bread, and offering our prayer and praise in the voice of song.

Yes, we’re tired, but now is not the time to lose heart, but to fortify ourselves with the presence of our Lord Jesus, knowing full well, that he is with us every step of the way.

Let us pray.

O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven: Be ever present with your servants who seek through the joy of music to perfect the praises offered by your people on earth; and grant to us even now glimpses of your beauty, and make them worthy at length to behold it unveiled forevermore; and in these times of uncertainty continually grant us the Peace of your presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.