With new information and new requests from health officials, I have decided to require the clergy of this diocese to practice the following guidelines:

1. While the common cup, properly administered, has been scientifically proven to be safer than intinction, health officials are now asking us to cease the use of the common cup. For this reason, I am asking that this be done in all of our parishes starting immediately. The cup can certainly continue to be used by the priest in the presidency of the Eucharist but offering it to the altar party and/or the congregation should cease for the time being. Last week I asked you to consider stopping the practice of intinction. Today, I am directing you to stop the use of the common cup. 

2. With this in mind, communion will only be offered in one kind, the bread. With this, I have received a few new practices and ideas. One is to have as few people as possible, preferably priests, to administer the bread, and that those people wash their hands and sanitize often while distributing. Every effort should be made not to touch the hands of those receiving.

3. The new request from health officials regards the water in the baptismal font. I guess one good thing is that this is happening in Lent. So, for Lent, and until we know more, I am requesting that when possible, and if possible, water in the fonts be drained, and that the practice of dipping the hands in the water of a font be discontinued. Scientists who have reviewed this feel that the virus could be spread in this manner, though not proven. I am directing you to do this, however, this being Lent, there should be very few baptisms!

4. The Peace. Refrain from hugging or shaking hands during the Sign of Peace (a bow, elbow bump or verbal gesture is appropriate).  Also, refrain from holding hands during the Lord's Prayer.

5. Eucharistic Visitors. I believe this practice of sending Eucharistic Visitors should be ceased for now. Eucharistic Visitors visiting homes is an opportunistic issue with this virus, and puts those in the home, and those visiting, at risk. My request is that home visits be restricted to ordained persons for now and that Eucharistic Visitors not be deployed until further notice.

6. Passing the offering plate.  You are urged not to pass the plate from hand to hand.  You are encouraged to instruct your people not to touch it, but to have your ushers make sure anyone who wants to put an offering in can. You might put the plate in one spot and ask people to come to the plate to put in their offerings.

Institute rigorous daily cleaning of all surfaces commonly touched, such as alter rails and door knobs, etc.

Additionally, make sure you have hand sanitizer in plentiful supplies at every entrance to your worship space, and your property. If you cannot find hand sanitizer use rubbing alcohol of 70% or more.

And please reiterate to all congregants that each person should, in their own minds and hearts, decide how much or little they will participate.

For now, health officials are not calling for gatherings to cease, but they are calling for us to be very mindful of how we gather and what we do when we do.

Please make checks payable to Episcopal Church of the Resurrection and mark them for "Easter lilies."  Fill in the form below and mail with your check or place them in the offering bag on Sunday.  Mail should be addressed to Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, 1755 Duncan Bridge Rd., Sautee-Nacoochee, GA 30571.  You may also email your request to   [email protected].  Orders must be in the office NO LATER THAN APRIL 14, 2019.

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Wednesdays, February 26-April 8

12:00 p.m.  Rosary

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