A Pastoral Note Regarding Mask Wearing and Holy Communion
We knew when we returned to in-person worship that we were not finished with the pandemic and that slight adjustments would need to be made depending on new variants, vaccination rates, etc. We have all been hearing about the Delta variant and the many messages we have received are rather mixed, to say the least. Therefore it seems prudent to offer a few recommendations for the good of our entire community.
First, if you are fully vaccinated we ask you to wear a mask when attending the service. For those who, for whatever reason, have decided not to be vaccinated or cannot safely be vaccinated due to other health concerns, I would like to ask that you wear a mask when attending services. However, let me stress to our entire Parish community that just because a person is wearing a mask doesn’t mean they haven’t been vaccinated. Fully vaccinated people may choose to wear a mask in some situations and not in others. As the Delta strain is rising we will be using masks in the building and social distancing.
Regarding the Sacrament of Holy Communion. While the Bishop has stated that communicants may not intinct the Host themselves, only the Chalice Bearer or Deacon may do so, many parishes, including, I understand, the Church of the Epiphany, do allow a communicant to dip the Host into the Consecrated Wine. Deacon Horace informs me that many in our community “self-intinct” the Sacrament. I will not change that practice as your Interim Rector. However, so that we may continue to be a community that is hospitable and respectful of one another’s sensitivities, especially around Covid-19, I will ask that if you intent to receive the Sacrament by intinction, please use the hands-free sanitizers before coming to the altar rail. Two sanitizers will be placed at the head of the aisle for your convenience. In addition, please remember to return to your seat by way of the side aisles after you have received the Sacrament.
Also, please remember that the service is livestreamed should you decide to participate in worship in that way.
Faithfully yours,
Roy+
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