A little over a week ago, the Center for Disease Control released new guidelines, essentially stating that in keeping with local guidelines and ordinances fully vaccinated people may choose not to wear facemasks. Consequently, the Tri-County Health Department, which covers Arapahoe County where our church is located, moved to Level Clear on the Simplified COVID-19 Dial on May 16.
The effect of this was to lift capacity restrictions completely, so businesses, schools, restaurants, and other facilities could open at 100% capacity, while at the same time modifying the face-covering order for indoor spaces.
Tri-County refers us to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment where the following concerning the latest guidance and requirements regarding mask wearing is stated:
The amended Executive Order states that fully vaccinated people can go without masks in public indoor spaces unless the setting requires otherwise.
Unvaccinated people over age 11 are encouraged to continue wearing masks in all public indoor spaces where members of different households are present.
(Source: https://covid19.colorado.gov/mask-guidance)
How does this impact us at Saint Gabriel the Archangel?
Rose Lynch, Preparedness Committee chair and Junior Warden and I have consulted with the vestry, staff, and wardens, and I have had many conversations with parishioners attempting to listen and gauge where we are as a community. I have also surveyed several neighboring congregations of different traditions. While it will not be pleasing for everyone, the sense I am receiving is that we are ready to make incremental changes as we see rates of vaccinations rise, opportunities for youth and adults ages 12+ to receive widely available vaccines, and case rates fall in our community.
Please note that as of May 23, Pentecost Sunday, the following will be in place:
Changing:
· Masks will be “recommended not required” at all services and weekly meetings, Bible studies, etc., for those who are fully vaccinated, while strongly encouraging mask wearing for those who have not yet received vaccination for whatever reason
· Suspending required worship service advance registration
Retaining:
· clergy mask wearing during services – at the celebration of the Eucharist, times when observing and not speaking
· pew ribbons to keep distance between worshippers
· hand sanitizer available throughout the building
· communion in bread only
· coming forward to receive communion, with clergy using tongs, gloves, mask wearing
· "no contact" passing the peace
· keeping doors and windows open when people are inside the building
· coffee service (when available) outside in Greeting Garden (west entrance)
· current method of distributing bulletins - online version - Issuu and .pdf - and brief service outline handout
· 9:30 am service livestreaming online
A Pastoral Word
As Saint Gabriel has sought throughout the past 14 months, we aspire to offer the sacraments and services of the church to as many people as possible in as safe a manner as possible. And as a Christian community, we seek to regard others with honor and respect especially when people hold different views.
I recall the first time I went to a dinner party where masks were set aside. Although by that time I was fully vaccinated, it still made me feel slightly uneasy at first. It will take time for some of us to be comfortable not wearing masks if we choose to do so. Some groups of people, like younger children or people who are at high risk and undergoing medical treatment or those with compromised immune systems, cannot receive a vaccination or must exercise extra caution. We see those among us and treat them with the highest concern for their safety with love and compassion.
A fellow pastor, Ryan Gannett of Park Church, Denver, puts it well in his remarks to his church, with which I close this post:
Masks have become a politicized and polarizing point of contention in our culture, and the Adversary would love to fracture and divide us (1 Peter 5:8). As we interact with others who have differences of opinion and conscience, let’s be vigilant to abstain from both judgmental attitudes and being an offense or stumbling block to others (Romans 14). Let’s pursue a spirit of unity, sympathy, and humility (1 Peter 3:8). And, as we build new rhythms of gathering together for worship, community, and mission, may our lives be marked by the Spirit’s love, peace, patience, kindness, and gentleness toward one another (Galatians 5:22–23).
I remain grateful to serve a community that exhibits the Christ-like qualities spoken to in the paragraph above.
Faithfully yours,
Fr. Chris