A Pastoral Letter from Rector Chris Girata

Dear Saint Michael Family,

As we continue to hear news of the new coronavirus (COVID-19), I wish to reach out to you with a word of thoughtfulness and calm. At moments in our history such as this, I hope we remember whose we are. We belong to God, and God will not let us go.

Know that even as we anticipate the presence of COVID-19 in our community, I am committed to the sacred call to worship God in the beauty of holiness. We will continue our worship services as scheduled in an expression of our faithfulness. Also know that you are part of a family of faith, and family supports one another in difficult times. If you feel unsafe joining in our corporate worship at any time, know that your Saint Michael family is here praying on your behalf.

Although our commitment to sacred gathering is strong, we also seek to be wise. Over the next few weeks, you will see some tangible examples of how we hope to be wiser in our worship and other gatherings. Hand sanitizer stations will be available at all worship entrances, and every member of the altar party will sanitize their hands before the distribution of communion. In addition, Bishop Sumner has issued a directive that communion is only to be given in one kind, the bread, and we are bound to follow this directive (you may read the bishop’s letter here). Remember that everyone is always welcome at God’s table, even if that means to receive a blessing.

Finally, and most importantly in this holy season of Lent, I ask your prayers for all those who are ill or vulnerable to illness, as well as those working to help. Our world may seem scary at times, but our faith is in a living God who loves us abundantly. What we do at Saint Michael is beyond comfort and beyond convenience, what we do is holy. God is with us right now and God will never leave us. For that, I am truly grateful.

With eternal gratitude and hope,

The Rev. Dr. Christopher D. Girata
Rector

Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” – John 10:10b

To read more on a faith-based response to COVID-19, please click the button below to visit Episcopal Relief and Development’s website.

ERD Faith-Based Response to Epidemics