Dear Parishioners and Friends,

The coronavirus outbreak is evolving on a daily basis, and we at St Mary’s are staying abreast of the latest information in order to respond in Christian love and reason.

All Orange County schools have closed for two weeks. This includes St Mary’s Community Preschool and Sunday School.

The Bishop of New York has been in communication with his clergy, and he will not impose a blanket suspension of church services due to the vast differences in ministry contexts across our large diocese.

What does this mean for St Mary’s? For now, we will continue with services (Saturday Evensong at 5pm, Sunday Eucharist at 8am and 10am). However, I want to stress that we must observe the following precautions:

If you feel ill, or even ill-at-ease over coming to church, don’t. Stay home. It’s ok. We will be streaming the 10:00 Sunday service live via our Facebook page. Here is the bulletin so you can follow along. When it comes time for communion, there's a beautiful act of spiritual communion you may pray:

"My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen."

If you do come to church, greet one another with a smile or nod. Please DO NOT shake hands or hug.

Please leave your offering in the alms basin before you sit down. The plate will not be passed. If you stay home, please make your offering via our website or by mailing it in.

Spread out. Allow three feet on either side of you. Now is the time to try that side aisle seat you’ve always had your eye on.

The peace will move to its ancient place immediately after the agnus dei. There will be no opportunity for physical contact.

Communion will be offered in one kind (bread) only. Receive the host in your hand from the priest and consume it immediately. The priest will sanitize his hands before distribution. To avoid crowding, communion will be distributed at a station in the nave, not at the rail.

Coffee hour has been suspended indefinitely. Starting with our vestry meeting tomorrow, all church committee meetings with be held virtually via Google Hangouts.

The Pastoral Care and Outreach Committees are aware of many needs and challenges across our community and are working in concert with local groups such as the school and food pantry to address the situation. If you know of anyone in need of food, help, or even just a phone call, please let me know .

As we navigate these uncharted waters together, let us hold one another in prayer and take these words to heart: The Almighty Lord, who is a strong tower to all who put their trust in him, to whom all things in heaven, on earth, and under the earth bow and obey: Be now and evermore your defense, and make you know and feel that the only Name under heaven given for health and salvation is the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Blessings,
Father Rick