A NOTE FROM THE RECTOR...
Welcome to Summer at Grace! With the start of our summer schedule, we are grateful to begin re-opening our doors and worshipping together as the body of Christ. I want to take a moment to update you on how we will be proceeding in the coming weeks.
First and foremost, please know that we have put a lot of prayer and consideration into the best way to regather. Following the guidelines of the CDC, our Governor, and our Bishop, the Vestry and I have outlined a summer regathering plan that will allow for multiple ways to worship while addressing the varied health concerns within our community.
It is important to know that with any plan that takes into account community health, we must remain flexible and kind. What we do today, may not be what we will need to do in the near future. No one plan will ever be perfect. Our intention, however, is to do the best we can to create a welcoming environment for anyone who wishes to worship with us at Grace, no matter their health concerns or family needs. And, as overall comfort grows with regathering, we will continue to progress towards worship without restrictions of any kind.
Beginning May 30th, we will NO LONGER require masks outdoors. We WILL require masks indoors at the 11am service but will not have space limitations on the number of attendees. We will also continue our online service for those unable to attend in person.
By having three different options for regathering, we will honor the various health concerns within our congregation while offering the flexibility to worship without restrictions for others. Please remember that not everyone is able to get vaccinated at this time...some for medical reasons, others due to age. Our call as a community of faith is to remain welcoming and loving to each and every person who desires to worship with us. I believe we are doing just that.
Of special note, there are no longer any space limitations or distance requirements at any of our services or other church functions. We may also share fellowship time with one another. In addition, both church and community groups may fully resume gathering in the Parish Hall. Since masks are no longer required for fully vaccinated individuals, each group is encouraged to determine if masks would be beneficial for their particular gathering based upon any existing health issues within the group.
To read the latest update from the Bishop Goff, please see her letter to congregations
here. You may read her letter to clergy
here.
Our new schedule, beginning on Sunday, May 30th is listed below.