Wednesday Word from Rev. Grace: Covid Protocol Updates
Friends,
On Sunday, we prayed The Great Litany to mark two years of dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic
At this moment, gratefully, Covid seems to be under control in our community. Cases, positive tests, and hospitalizations have fallen. Muscogee and surrounding counties are at the CDC's "low" community level. At this level, the CDC advises everyone to stay up-to-date with vaccines. People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.
Vestry discussed Covid again when they met on Monday. We have tried to follow CDC guidance throughout this ordeal, so we will continue to do so now. Masks are optional in most settings at St. Thomas, though if someone in a small group needs for others to mask we hope the group will be willing to do that. We continue to require masks and vaccination for all who are with young children for extended periods of time, since they cannot yet be vaccinated. We won't require ushers to wear masks, since their contact with people is brief, though they may if they wish to do so. For myself, for now, I will no longer wear a mask while celebrating communion, but I'll keep doing a Covid test at home on Sundays for a little longer just to be sure all is well.
Vestry discussed sign-in sheets. It has been very helpful to have an accurate count of attendance and of who is present in person rather than rely on memory. They are also useful in the unlikely event that we need to let anyone know of a potential exposure. We'll keep inviting you to sign in to let us know you're here.
We will also continue other adaptations we learned over the past two years. We will live stream worship and offer options to participate in classes and meetings online. We will print the entire service in the bulletin because it is easier to follow. A recycling basket will be in the narthex. To save paper, you may download the bulletin to your phone and follow that way. We will set tables for Wednesday dinners to help the serving line move more quickly. Weather permitting, we will offer food and fellowship outside after worship and enjoy our beautiful grounds.
Of course, if conditions change, we will take the steps necessary to love our neighbors. It’s the least we can do to honor the suffering of the past two years. But we hope and pray that won’t be necessary.
You have kept St. Thomas safe and strong over the past two years, and I am so grateful. Thank you for your faithfulness - past, present and future.
Gratefully,
Vestry discussed Covid again when they met on Monday. We have tried to follow CDC guidance throughout this ordeal, so we will continue to do so now. Masks are optional in most settings at St. Thomas, though if someone in a small group needs for others to mask we hope the group will be willing to do that. We continue to require masks and vaccination for all who are with young children for extended periods of time, since they cannot yet be vaccinated. We won't require ushers to wear masks, since their contact with people is brief, though they may if they wish to do so. For myself, for now, I will no longer wear a mask while celebrating communion, but I'll keep doing a Covid test at home on Sundays for a little longer just to be sure all is well.
Vestry discussed sign-in sheets. It has been very helpful to have an accurate count of attendance and of who is present in person rather than rely on memory. They are also useful in the unlikely event that we need to let anyone know of a potential exposure. We'll keep inviting you to sign in to let us know you're here.
We will also continue other adaptations we learned over the past two years. We will live stream worship and offer options to participate in classes and meetings online. We will print the entire service in the bulletin because it is easier to follow. A recycling basket will be in the narthex. To save paper, you may download the bulletin to your phone and follow that way. We will set tables for Wednesday dinners to help the serving line move more quickly. Weather permitting, we will offer food and fellowship outside after worship and enjoy our beautiful grounds.
Of course, if conditions change, we will take the steps necessary to love our neighbors. It’s the least we can do to honor the suffering of the past two years. But we hope and pray that won’t be necessary.
You have kept St. Thomas safe and strong over the past two years, and I am so grateful. Thank you for your faithfulness - past, present and future.
Gratefully,
Grace
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