Regathering Plans Are Underway
By The Rev. Cameron Randle, Rector
We are moving toward a resumption of indoor in-person worship at Eastern Shore Chapel after the year-long disruption brought about by last year’s onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yesterday, Bishop Susan Haynes lifted the restriction on indoor in-person worship and other church-related gatherings throughout the Diocese of Southern Virginia. Today, we rejoice and continue to discern the best and safest way forward for our specific faith community.
Clergy and vestry leaders, including members of our Parish Health Equity Group, are formulating plans to return to indoor in-person worship in time for Holy Week and Easter Sunday. We will NOT resume indoor in-person worship before Palm Sunday on March 28. Our prerecorded virtual worship services, posted on the YouTube Channel, will continue for the foreseeable future, even if/when we meet in person during Holy Week and Easter Sunday.
Please remain attentive to parish announcements in the Chimes and other sources, including our parish website at easternshorechapel.org. Details about Regathering plans and protocol will be conveyed in coming days. Many restrictions and limitations will be necessary in order to safely conduct indoor in-person worship services.
Meanwhile, the sentiment expressed in one of our Lenten Bible study passages is more relevant to us than ever before: “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.” (III John 1:2)