From the Rector
Important Update from Bishop Sutton About Public Worship & Gatherings
Dear St. James’ family,
Today we received official direction from Bishop Sutton that the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland has suspended all in person public worship and gatherings through May 16, 2020. This is hard news, and it is also how we can be a community of love during this coronavirus pandemic.
In light of this, our vision to stay connected, stay church, and take care of each other is more important than ever. The Vestry and I are meeting again tonight and will continue to be in touch regularly as information and plans develop. Here is what we know right now:
Livestream Worship & Zoom Coffee Hour this Sunday
We’re going to have a Zoom Coffee Hour this Sunday at 10:00 am! This will be a chance to see and check in with each other, or at least hear each other if you prefer to call in, so we can stay connected. Here is the link to join or here is the number to call [ 1 929 205 6099 ].
For worship this week we will gather with everyone from around the Diocese in livestreaming the 11:00 am service from the Cathedral of the Incarnation, which Bishop Sutton will be leading. Click here for the link to that service.
I will send an email on Saturday with these links again along with additional details.
Ongoing Worship
My current plan for Sundays going forward is for Morning Prayer via Zoom and/or Facebook Live, followed by Zoom Coffee Hour, look for more information on this next week, including what time the service will take place. Starting next week we will also be using Facebook Live to stream Compline every night at 8:30 pm. Use this link to join us in prayer.
All of this has made me realize that not everyone likely has a Book of Common Prayer at home. To this end, if you would like to arrange to pick up a copy from church please reach out to me. Additionally, here is a pdf of it you can download.
Holy Week & Easter
These holy days will look very different, but they will still be just that – holy. Richard and I will begin work on these services next week and I trust that the Holy Spirit will guide us into how we stay church through these extraordinary circumstances. Bishop Sutton offered that we anticipate the day that we will again be able to gather together for worship as a different kind of Easter celebration this year.
Pastoral Care & Community Life
I’ve already written about our emerging plans to take care of each other, with the Vestry calling every member and pulling together a Helpers Team. This will be needed as all indications are that social distancing will continue to be necessary for at least the next eight weeks. Several folks have also asked about how we continue to care for our Mt. Airy community. Mount Airy NET is still accepting donations in the lobby of Calvary United Methodist Church and is updating their Facebook page with current needs. We are also continuing to host our regular 12 Step groups, following current social distancing and health guidelines.
Pledges & Donations
While our physical space remains closed to public worship through May 16, the Vestry and I continue to oversee church resources. Our small but vital staff continues to keep the church running, with modifications to keep everyone safe. We do not foresee any large unbudgeted expenses, but the regular expenses of the church remain constant. During the suspension of in-person church services, with no passing of an offering plate, we ask you to continue your giving. Your regular offerings keep paychecks coming for the entire staff and ensure that all our obligations are met. Please do give if you are able. You can drop off your check in our secure mailbox at the curb or mail it in to 1307 N. Main St., Mt. Airy, MD 21771.
If your financial situation has changed as a result of the pandemic, such that honoring your pledge would be a hardship to you, please let us know. The church is here to relieve your burdens, not add to them.
The stresses of this crisis – physical, emotional, spiritual, economic – weighs heavily on us all. You all remain in my prayers and I ask that you please continue to pray for the well-being of our community and the world. Let us all hold fast to our faith and to one another, knowing that in Christ all things are possible.
Yours in God’s peace,
Kristin+
At Home Worship/Formation
The church is not the building, the church is the body of Christ – which is each and every one of us. We know this, and yet our norm for being church is rooted in our practice of coming together to worship. We can’t do that right now, and likely won’t be able to for some time.
In the meantime we’ll be offering virtual Compline services on Facebook several times a week. You do not need to have a Facebook account to “attend” – just click here to participate. While your at our Facebook page be sure to “follow” and turn on notifications so you will be alerted when we go live or post updated information.
Virtual Worship
- Lent 3, March 15 – National Cathedral, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry (download leaflet)
Resources
- Compline order of service
- Daily Prayer: http://prayer.forwardmovement.org/
- Habits of Grace:
An invitation for you, from Presiding Bishop CurryAs we learn how to adjust our lives given the reality of the coronavirus and the request to do our part to slow its spread by practicing social distancing, I invite you to join me each week to take a moment to cultivate a ‘habit of grace.’ A new meditation will be posted on Mondays through May. - Daily Devotional: http://d365.org/
- Faith @ Home Daily Resources
- Lectionary Readings for the Fourth Sunday in Lent: 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41
Next Week's Commemorations (A Great Cloud of Witnesses, 2020)
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Parish Administrator Hours for the week of March 22, as needed.
Peg Pelch
Vic and Jeannie Pellicier (Maria, William, Caroline)
Davis and Heather Peters (Amber, Connor)
A member of the Daughters of the King will be contacting you this week for special prayer requests.