Dear Friends in Christ:

I hope you are holding up okay. And, remember, if I can be helpful in any way, please don't hesitate to call the church office or my cell phone. On to this week's updates . . .

WORSHIP

Today is the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord (40 days after Easter). And, as such, we are streaming an Evensong Service this evening at 7pm. Special thanks to Levi and Andrew for helping out with this. You can find more information about tonight's service by going HERE.

This Sunday, we will be streaming Morning Prayer, as usual. You can find information about that service by going HERE.

For Pentecost, May 31st (50 days after Easter), it is my intention to celebrate Eucharist, using Andrew Bolden's "Third Street Mass" for the occasion. We will be sending a copy of the music to each household next week, along with instructions for partaking in "Spiritual Communion."

WEEKLY PUZZLE

This week we feature what is many people's favorite window, The Annunciation. You will find the puzzle by clicking   HERE. You can choose your background color, number of puzzle pieces, and even set it to display just the edge pieces.

This window was given in 1915 by Edwin L. Arnold as a memorial to his wife Sara O'Donnell Arnold. This signed Tiffany window depicts the Annunciation of the birth of Jesus to Mary by the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:26-38). The window was restored in 2002 by Walter and Ginger Sorg.

BIRTHDAYS and ANNIVERSARIES

This week, our organist, Levi Muriuki celebrates a solo birthday on May 27th, which seems fitting.

We wish Nickolas and Jessica Rohr a happy anniversary on May 26th.

Keep these folks in your thoughts, and let them know you're thinking of them.

PRAYERS REQUESTED

Please keep these friends and parishioners in your prayers.

Fr. Erv, Diana Lawver, David Wigginton, Keith Rowland, Joyce Vitale, Hondo Sunquist, Pom Chakkaphak, Jenny Gump, Dr. Bob Ripich, Brian Dorosch, Dr. Don Zimmerman, Rachel Sanchez, Anne Smith, and Jerry DeTemple.

And do call the office if there's anyone you'd like to have added.

It is with a heavy heart that I tell you our beloved friend and faithful parishioner Will Miller passed away on Wednesday after a long illness. The family intends to have a private service in the church in the coming days. Please keep Muffy and the family in your prayers.

FROM THE BISHOPS

On Tuesday evening, the Diocesan office sent out a joint letter from the Bishops of Ohio and Southern Ohio. You can find that letter HERE.

As you can see, Episcopal parishes throughout the state are allowed to begin gathering as of May 31st, but that does not mean any parish or member is required to do so. As the Bishop has been emphasizing, some smaller parishes might be open months before the larger parishes around the state. As with everything these days, the key to doing things right is balance and careful consideration of the benefits and dangers. So, I offer you . . .

THINGS TO CONSIDER

*We currently livestream services which include hymns and chanting, because we have only 3 or 4 people in the building, with lots of space between us. For the same reason, I can speak and preach without a mask. Once we open the doors to parishioners, we will no longer be able to allow any singing, and everyone will be required to wear masks. At present, the distribution of Communion is not allowed, for health reasons.

*The entire building will need a thorough disinfecting before opening again. And then disinfected again following every gathering. This implies a lot of initial work, and ongoing diligence.

*Based on the Bishop's letter, given our maximum occupancy, we can only allow a certain number of people in the building at one time, and all persons not living together must keep a six-foot perimeter between them. This will require some temporary barriers on alternating pews in order to put this into practice.

*Coffee hour and lingering in the building are not permitted.

All of which might make you say . . .

YIKES!

That's my thought too. It doesn't sound very joyous, I know. All the things we cherish about our common life have been on hold for months now. And even when we begin gathering, we can't really gather, or sing, or share food, let alone Communion.

It's going to be hard. I know. But I also know that God has not and will not leave us orphaned, and we will never be alone, even when we are physically apart from one another.

Tuesday evening, Vestry and I will be meeting on zoom to discuss strategies, and possibly come up with a specific date for our initial reopening. I will, of course, let you know as soon as possible.

Please know that you all remain in my prayers, and I am honored and lucky to be your priest.

Faithfully,

Fr. George