To the community of Saint Paul’s,
Let me begin by letting you know the depth of my prayers for our Saint Paul’s family and the community that surrounds us and to assure you that your staff, vestry and clergy are doing all we can to ensure the health and safety of our parishioners. As we are all aware, recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control are changing daily. On Monday, March 16th it was recommended to lower the number of people gathered anywhere to 50 for at least a period of eight weeks. As we have said all along, we are following the recommendations of both the medical experts and health authorities to do all we can to help stem the spread of the coronavirus, and so as of today, the suspension of in-person worship and gatherings is extended to encompass the eight-week period, taking us at least through May 17 .
One of the most important things I have heard over the last several days is that we don’t need to exercise “Social” distancing but rather “Physical” distancing. It is my hope that in the days and weeks that stretch out before us we will all make every opportunity to connect with fellow parishioners and friends. There is a deep need within the human heart to stay connected. In our case one of those connections is our community of faith, Saint Paul’s Church.
It is difficult to be away from our physical church, which in truly powerful ways connects us to the presence of God and each other. At this time we are challenged to translate that physical space into the words of encouragement and hope that we share with one another.
I thank our Vestry, wardens, staff, in fact all who have made a concerted effort to reach out to members of Saint Paul’s. Now more than ever we feel and know the love and concern we share with each other. I hope we will all make the time to simply pick up the phone a call someone.
As well I thank our parish staff as they work in new and ever creative ways to keep the work of the church moving forward. Our sextons continue to be busy deep cleaning the buildings we hold so dear, so that upon our return all will be in order.
We continue to work toward daily meditations and prayers that will be shared via email and on Facebook. As that begins to unfold please remember to be a part of our worshiping community at 11:00 a.m. this Sunday when our service will be broadcast live (Facebook
Saint Paul’s Church – Augusta or Radio FM 95.1 or AM 580 ) from Saint Paul’s.
From the first chapter of John’s Gospel we remember these words:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
The darkness of these days is overcome by the power of the risen Christ that we in our words and in our lives proclaim.
Please join me in the following prayer:
Gracious and loving God, the God of Community, we may not be gathering in a church building right now but Church is never canceled. We are not wise, and not very often as kind as you call us to be. But we are the Body of Christ in your suffering world. We know that our deep calling is to be the Light of this Christ whose Body we are. Give us courage to be the Church and to keep our minds on what matters—which is to keep loving the world which is so in need of your loving care. Buildings crumble; the Church Year passes; but your Church endures from generation to generation. Make this for us a Feast Day of your Protection, your Plenty, your Purpose, your Plan and your Peace. All this we ask, as we pray in silence, with all the Saints and with each other. Amen.
George
