Greetings Epiphany,
In the last months, the emergence of COVID-19 has greatly altered the ways we have been able to gather and pursue our common life together. While this has been a source of sadness and disappointment for many of us, we are also witnessing new ways our community is coming together to support one another and grow together in Christ. For this and for you, we continue to give thanks.
As the number of cases and hospitalizations in our state continue to rise, those of us who serve on the "Safely Together" task force anticipate that our community will need to continue to gather virtually
and
prepare for the possibility of gathering in person in smaller configurations according to the guidelines provided by the Diocese of Atlanta. These guidelines, (which can be accessed in full
by clicking here
) outline various safety precautions necessary for churches wanting to move ahead with plans for worshipping in person. These gatherings will be very limited in scope. While this is not an extensive list of the requirements, the "phase one" gatherings would require masks, seating according to social distancing protocol, new ways of entering and exiting the building, limited attendance, closed bathrooms except for emergencies, and no singing, no communion, no prayer books or bulletins, and no processions.
In order to get a sense from our community about their interest and willingness to gather in compliance with these guidelines going forward, we are asking you and interested members in your household to participate in the diocesan survey at the link provided below. To help gauge your interest and ongoing preferences regarding our worshipping practices during COVID, Epiphany will likely offer another survey closer to the time of our first in-person gathering.
If only one member of your household received this email, feel free to forward them this email so they can participate. You'll have another chance to give us more feedback when Epiphany sends out our own survey later.
Click the link below to access the Diocesan Survey. There are 19 questions.
It is available until July 17, 2020.
