Dear Brothers,
I write today with sad news. You will remember that in July 2020, the Provincial Council recommended to the General Administration to postpone its visit. After prayer and reflection, the Provincial Council decided to write the General Council and ask them once again to postpone their visit. The General Council has accepted our request. We will work diligently to reschedule this visit. I know that we are all greatly disappointed about postponing this visit a second time and that the postponement causes significant scheduling problems for the General Council as well as results in our members and ministries having to revise their plans once again.
Reasons for our requesting a second postponement include:
- The Delta Variant of the COVID-19 has made the situation in many areas that we serve critical. (The hospital beds are completely or near-completely full.)
- The Delta variant has proven to be more contagious. Fully vaccinated members of the Province have contracted this new variant.
- Currently, travel to Hawaii is STRONGLY discouraged by its Governor because of the overcrowding of hospitals and ICU wards.
- Currently, Siena Woods is in a lockdown with no visitors. Our two other Care Centers are currently open, but the situation is subject to change based on local health guidelines for facilities of this nature.
I understand that this decision is very disappointing to all of us, but the Provincial Council strongly believes this is the safest decision for all.
The Provincial Council feels that it was best that the decision be made now to allow time for all to plan appropriately.
Know of our continued prayers for the health of our brothers and ministries in the province and the health and safety of the General Council.
Fraternally,
