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Deans' Note | January 02, 2022

As we reflect on the challenges we have faced in 2021, we can come to this new year with hope. On New Year's Day, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. A name that means God rescues. As Christians, we know that God has come among us in the flesh, in Jesus. The faith we have in God as our rescuer is a foundation we can depend on even as we begin this new year with Covid still with us. What gives us hope is that we are all in this together and God is with us as we walk through the door of this new year of possibility. So as we begin this new year. We wish you a blessed New Year. Please pray with us this prayer for the new year. 

Oh, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose years never fail and whose mercies are new each returning day: let the radiance of your Spirit renew our lives, warming our hearts and giving light to our minds, that we may pass into the new year in joyful obedience and firm faith; through him who is the beginning and the end, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

St. John's Cathedral Covid-19 Protocol Update

Once again, the Covid-19 omicron variant challenges us as new cases in our city and county rise exponentially. As a result, the following protocols will be in place for the next two Sundays, January 2nd and 9th. We will re-evaluate this policy as we continue to monitor the case numbers in the next two weeks. 

• The 8:00 mass will be canceled.
• The 10:00 mass will continue with in-person worship, but we strongly encourage everyone to participate digitally. No coffee hour.
• Participants must wear a protective face mask covering nose and mouth at all times. Please see CDC guidelines, or choose an N95 or KN95 disposable mask.
• For those worshiping in-person, we continue our mandatory vaccination policy and for the next two weeks strongly encourage a booster shot. Please do not bring unvaccinated children to church.
• As of Sunday January 16 booster shots will be required.
• The New Year's brunch, scheduled for January 9 will be canceled.
• Compline will follow the same protocol as the morning service and no reception following.

Of course, this is a disappointing development, but despite the high number of cases, symptoms seem less severe and hospitalizations less with this new variant, especially for those who are vaccinated and boosted. We respond as a community of faith in the larger community of our city and county. Cautious responses continue to be a physical expression of loving our neighbors.