Dear Beloved Saints of Saint James,
Greetings! In line with the diocesan/Bishop’s approval, the results of the re-gathering survey, and as long as parishioners follow all of the protocols and procedures required, the Vestry and I believe we can safely re-open our church building for worship services. IF we are unable to follow the requirements for safety, or if cases increase in our areas, or if the Bishop mandates, or if your Priest/the Vestry believes we need to, we will resume online worship only.
The church building will be open for parishioners to come and worship this Sunday, September 13th at 9am. Here is what you can know to prepare (for further questions, see diopa.org for the Diocesan requirements):
· Only Enter through the main RED DOOR (do not enter at the office door or side door).
· You will be required to ‘check in’ with name, number, temperature check, and brief health questionnaire.
· Masks/face coverings must be worn in the building at all times (except consuming Communion for a brief moment). Masks must cover both mouth and nose.
· Masks, gloves (should you desire them), and hand sanitizer will be available for you.
· Physical distancing is important, standing, sitting, walking. Please respect requests for space.
· We are agreeing to abide by the “St. James’ Covenant for Regathering”.
· Pews will be marked off and ushers will assist you finding a seat to keep others/you safe.
· The offering plate will not be passed around. You can leave your offering before or after the service in the plate near the usher. Online giving is still an option through our website.
· Ushers will dismiss by row for Communion. Communion instructions will be in the bulletin (and verbalized by your Priest each week). Parishioners will partake of the Host but not the Cup. This is still complete Communion and fully Christ.
· While we are not permitted to sing yet in church, our hearts can sing the praise our lips long for.
· The Diocese has not given permission for in-person Sunday School at this time. However, our fabulous Sunday School teachers will be sending monthly lesson/crafts to our kids for a monthly Zoom call (details in parents’ emails). PLEASE plan on attending after service OUTSIDE our “Blessing of the Devices” on Sunday, Sept. 13th. Kids (and adults!) can bring their backpacks, laptops, tablets, and phones to be blessed as we start this new school year. God is with us in our learning—at home, on computers, in person, at work.
· The church will be professionally cleaned after each service.
· The undercroft and office area/Sunday School wing will not be open/available for parishioners, nor will the sacristy or hallways near the sacristy.
· The bathroom near the chapel will be available, though it is encouraged to go before or after service at one’s home. If you use the bathroom, please follow the instructions to wipe down door handles, light switch plates, etc.
· Coffee hour is not permitted at this time. After service, ushers will dismiss by rows for a prompt exit out of the building.
· IF your physician, loved ones, or you, are not comfortable with gathering in person, please attend to your health and needs first. You are still part of the church and we will have our service Facebook Live streamed each week, along with the Diocese’ weekly services online at 9am. IF you would like me to bring the Sacrament of Communion to your home and offer brief prayers (outside) with you in a home Eucharist, PLEASE contact me and I will come by that week.
· While I will not be processing or lingering to shake hands/greet people each week in order to keep myself/you safe, know that I am still your Priest, and my desire is to live fully into my ordination call to be your “faithful pastor”. Please reach out at any time—via my cell phone or email or the church number.
Though it might feel strange with all of these protocols, we must continue to remind ourselves that this is just temporary. We have not stopped being church and God has not stopped loving us or offering the Holy Presence to us. Thank you for your flexibility, patience, and kindness to each other at this time.
You are loved. You are not alone. And I am glad you are part of our parish family. You remain in my prayers.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
The Reverend Jessie Thompson
Email: revjessiethompson@gmail.com
Please read the Bishop's Letter about Re-Gathering Beginning Sept. 6, 2020
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
St. James Episcopal Church (Prospect Park, PA)
Covenant for Regathering
In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, I promise, with God’s help and to the best of my ability, to abide by the guidelines of the Diocese of Pennsylvania for participation in the life of my congregation according to the regathering phase in which my congregation is authorized to carry out its mission and ministry.
In fulfillment of the Baptismal Covenant (BCP p. 304-305), I will strive to:
Love my neighbor as myself, I will...
· Wear a mask or scarf over my nose and mouth at all times in church buildings, except momentarily to receive the sacrament or lead worship through an assigned speaking part, and follow public health guidelines for hand sanitizing and disinfecting
· Only attend worship and receive communion if I am non-symptomatic for the COVID-19 virus or any other transmittable disease that could compromise the health of another congregant
· Will abstain from attending if doing so would put me at greater risk due to my own health status
Respect the dignity of every human being, I will...
· Make no physical contact with people beyond the members of my own household
· Maintain a six foot or more distance from other members of the congregation
· Respect any requests for distance, masking, cleaning, to ensure the safety and comfort level of others
Seek and serve Christ in all people, I will...
· Trust and support the decisions of both my diocesan and congregational leaders
· Stay connected with others in my community by telephone, video chat, or mail
Many thanks to the Diocese of Maryland for providing this.
St. James and St. John's COVID-19 Church Re-Gathering Proposed Plan (pdf)
Download