For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
~ 2 Corinthians 4
As the corona virus increases across our region, Rose Lynch, Preparedness chair and Junior Warden, and I are following these developments closely. There may come a day when it becomes necessary to shutter our doors once again for in-person worship and other gatherings, and we will keep you informed as to any change in service plans.
I. Where we are today
We have learned throughout the last six months that keeping Saint Gabriel’s doors open for in-person worship provides a profound sign of hope, even for those who are viewing the online worship service. By remaining open for in-person worship this “sign of hope” fits within Colorado’s COVID-19 guidelines and the “dial” system created by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Even if the dial were to advance to a “stay-at-home” directive – a last resort according to government officials – we would still be able to welcome a total of 10 persons present per service. We are not committed to an unbending course of action but, as I have said all along, we will keep doing what we are doing until we can’t.
Even with just 10 people present an important theological statement is made. As a sign and symbol of God’s redeemed people gathered, theologically we continue resisting the ways in which this disease – a sign of our broken and fallen world – has taken over. We say a loud “No, we will not let the disease define us totally or have the last word.” We would continue to proclaim our identity as resurrection people and as people of hope in the God “who is making all things new.”
Let me remind you of Saint Paul, encouraging the people in Corinth with his example:
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. (2 Corinthians 4)
It is this affirmation of the “life of Jesus” that marks his followers as people of profound hope and security. With this security, we are free to offer ourselves in service and love.
For example, I may be anxious about entering the hospital ICU to pray for a dying parishioner – as I did this past week – but I know that it is the right thing to do. Many of my colleagues feel the same way and are doing the same thing. The call of Christ compels us to enter the brokenness of the world – its pain and suffering – and declare Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
Of course we are committed to following our safety protocols of mask wearing, physical distancing, hand washing and sanitizer, shortened services, registering all attendees, and adequate air flow by keeping doors and windows open – even on frigid mornings! We seek to be courageous but not foolish. Faithful but not neglecting safety.
Safety and hope need not be competing goods but can – and should - complement one another.
Currently, Arapahoe County allows our offices to be staffed and in-person worship to be held to 25% of our capacity or 50 people, whichever is less. We calculate that our top number is 40 for the nave and 25-30 for the parish hall. In fact, our current average numbers are closer to 20 in the nave and 15 in the parish hall.
I say again, we will of course let you know if anything changes.
II. What are the “goods” of public worship during a pandemic?
Across the pond in the UK, faith leaders recently wrote to the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, outlining why they believe that religious groups – churches, synagogues, mosques, etc. – should be permitted to remain open despite the government-imposed lockdown. This appeal to the Prime Minister can be accessed in its entirety here, and I recommend it along with the blog post by the Rev. Dr. Ian Paul where he offers commentary on the matter, an excerpt of which is below, that may be found here.
“The letter makes five strong points in favour of continuing to allow acts of public worship:
Public Worship is covid-19 secure
We have demonstrated, by our action, that places of worship and public worship can be made safe from Covid transmission. Given the significant work we have already done, we consider there to be, now, no scientific justification for the wholesale suspension of public worship.
Public Worship is Essential to sustain our service
Without the worshipping community, our social action and support cannot be energized and sustained indefinitely. Our commitment to care for others comes directly from our faith, which must be sustained and strengthened by our meeting together in common worship.
Public Worship is necessary for social cohesion and connectedness
Increasing social scientific evidence makes clear that social connectedness, solidarity and social cohesion are key to both enabling people to stay resilient throughout restrictions due to covid-19 and central to compliance with the behaviors we need them to adopt to reduce transmission.
Public Worship is important for the Mental Health of our nation
The health benefits of attending worship are well known, and the burden of psychological and physical ill-health from isolation and during the pandemic are increasingly well understood. This is especially so for Black Asian and Minority Ethnic people.
Public Worship is an essential sign of hope
From a social psychological perspective, faith communities who consistently embody behaviors and attitudes that are covid-19 safe and hopeful provide encouragement to others through modeling these behaviors and attitudes. They are part of the journey to recovery.