Phase 1 in Changes to Mask Policy to begin

With changes in the mask mandates in the city of Jacksonville, in churches around the Episcopal Diocese of Florida, and in the CDC already announced & underway, the Vestry has given Fr. Donavan full support to begin the process of changing our own mask wearing policy in the days and weeks ahead.

BEGINNING THIS SUNDAY, MAY 1ST, wearing masks outdoors on church property will be completely optional for everyone. If you have not been vaccinated or if you are immunocompromised, we strongly encourage you to continue wearing a mask outside. For those who have received the vaccine and/or feel safe, the church will no longer require that masks be worn outdoors.

ALSO, BEGINNING THIS SUNDAY, MAY 1ST, WHEN YOU ARE SEATED, STANDING, OR KNEELING IN THE PEWS DURING WORSHIP, YOU WILL HAVE THE OPTION TO REMOVE YOUR MASK. We will continue, at this time, to ask everyone to wear a mask while entering and leaving the church and whenever you leave your pew (to go to the bathroom, to receive Holy Communion, etc.). This will complete Phase 1 of our changes to mask wearing policy at the church.

Please remember that All Saints currently has two options for social distancing inside the church, with some pews open for closer seating for families and for people who have been vaccinated, and some pews with more distance for those who have not been vaccinated or who would like more spacing. With these options, along with vaccines now available in our city, state, and nation for anyone over 16, the staff and Vestry feel that, while masks will continue to be encouraged, we can begin this process of making masks more optional moving into the Summer.

Right now, Fr. Donavan is choosing to maintain masks requirements for entering, leaving, and moving about inside the church to allow more time for as many of our parishioners who want to and can to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations. By Pentecost Sunday, May 23rd, with continued vaccinations and no substantial changes in COVID spread in our community, All Saints plans to follow other Episcopal Churches in Jacksonville and in the Diocese, and while encouraging that masks be worn, no longer requiring them for entrance into the church for worship.

Please continue to watch your newsletter for the announcement of Phase 2 next month, and please continue to pray for those around the country and around the world who are suffering and dying from the COVID-19 pestilence.

Fr. Donavan was overjoyed to announce this past Sunday that All Saints will be welcoming a NEW CURATE this summer, to serve alongside him, first as Deacon and then as Priest! The Rev. Sarah Minton, who was recently ordained as a Deacon at St. John's Cathedral downtown, is currently finishing her seminary studies in the Anglican House at Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina. Sarah grew up in Orange Park, and for the last twenty years has served as a Youth and Family minister, first at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Atlantic Blvd, and then at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Arlington (where our previous Curate, Mtr. Lisa Meirow, now serves as Priest-in-Charge!). Sarah has three daughters and is married to Steve, who currently works for FedEx. Sarah, Steve, and their youngest daughter, Norah, will be moving back to Jacksonville as soon as Norah finishes her school year, and we hope to have Sarah's first Sunday as our new Curate by mid June!

THIS SUNDAY, the Men's Breakfast Committee will get back to serving individually packaged donuts and fresh, hot coffee in the courtyard, between the church and the Parish Hall, starting at 9am! It's not exactly the full breakfast buffet All Saints was known for prior to the pandemic, but it's our first step back in that direction, offering donuts safely outdoors with plenty of space for social distancing! And following the 10am service, the coffee will be refreshed for a "Coffee Hour" for anyone who'd like to gather in the courtyard and catch up with friends at church!

'KNIGHTS OF KINDNESS' VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL COMING THIS SUMMER!

This summer we are doing VBS Camp a little different. June 7^th – 11^th from 12:30 – 3:00 pm, join us for a very special Kindness Kingdom and Knight's Castles! Children will armor up and learn the art of being KIND through God’s truth, peace, patience, faith and forgiveness. Our quest includes a healthy lunch, daily story time with skits, lessons, science projects, music time, and spectacular arts and crafts! Spaces are limited! Registration fee is $55 per camper/knight. Registration fee includes T- Shirts, lunch, arts and crafts materials, as well as many other surprises for these young knights. Registration forms are located in the Parish Hall and Church Office, and can be picked up anytime. Ages 4-10 years old. Contact: Hillary Citrano with any questions at [email protected].

Thank you all for your generous blanket donations during the month of January and February! We are back to collecting food for UCOM and they are in desperate need of breakfast foods and canned goods! You are more than welcome to donate almost any food item. Please place all food in the Outreach Barrel just inside the front entrance of the church for our Outreach Committee to pick up and deliver.

If you're interested in receiving information, contact Hillary Citrano right now at [email protected].

Children ages 4-9 are invited to come and participate in Children's Chapel while their parents worship inside the church every Sunday during the 10am service! Ms. Hillary will have a special lesson, followed by crafts and activities, for the full hour of the church worship service, with social distancing and face masks!  All you need to do is RSVP Hillary Citrano if you'd like your child/children to attend. PLEASE RSVP BY 12PM ON SATURDAY TO ENSURE THERE ARE ENOUGH CRAFT MATERIALS FOR ALL THE CHILDREN!

At 9:50am each Sunday, the doors will open to the Parish Hall and children will have their temperature checked at the door before entering. There will be NO SNACKS, so please be sure you're not dropping off a hungry little saint. This is a wonderful opportunity to safely get your entire family back into prayer & worship at All Saints on Sunday morning! All you need to do is 

Want to hear or listen again to Fr. Donavan's Maundy Thursday, Good Friday (skeleton bracelet!), or Easter Sunday sermons? They are online! Are you trying to convince a friend to visit and want to send them a sermon so they know what they're in for? Well, it's probably easier then you think! All of our sermons are available! Check them out here now, and subscribe to 'Sunday Sermons at All Saints' on your favorite Podcast app! Right on!