Message from Bishop Susan and our rector, Anne – suspension of church activities to prevent spread of coronavirus

Do not be afraid, for I am with you;

    do not be alarmed, for I am your God.

I give you strength, truly I help you,

    truly I hold you firm with my saving right hand.” 

(Isaiah 41:10, NJB)

 

Much has unfolded since I wrote to you less than 48 hours ago. Just yesterday, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a global pandemic. Major universities, including many in our own Diocese, have closed their classrooms. Employers large and small, some in our own Diocese, are directing employees to stay home and telework. Numerous dioceses, including the Dioceses of Virginia and Washington, D.C., have suspended or sharply curtailed church activity.

 

To safeguard our people and those in our communities and to mitigate the rapid, uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus, all church activity including worship is suspended immediately for a period of two weeks in the Diocese of Southern Virginia.

 

During this suspension, we will monitor forthcoming guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, and healthcare professionals in our own communities and assess new developments and the precautions they require. Further guidance will be issued by March 26.

 

As Presiding Bishop Michael Curry wrote in a statement released today: “The next 30-60 days at the least are simply going to be unlike anything we have experienced in recent history…The dilemma of what we know and what we don’t know will continue to complicate our decision making and our lives.”

 

Holding one another and all affected by this pandemic in our prayers, let us remain steadfast and faithful, trusting that the One who promises to “hold you firm with my saving right hand” is abidingly faithful.

 

Let us encourage one another by being purposeful in finding ways to remain connected with one another electronically or by phone, so that together we sustain our spiritual health and as one body and respond in ways that safeguard our physical health and that of others.

Prayer and worship resources can be found here.

A letter from our Rector, Anne Kirchmier

Dear friends,

I am grateful for Bishop Haynes’ leadership as we all navigate these unfamiliar waters together. Here at St. Andrew’s, we will be offering Sunday worship online, including a sermon. We also plan to offer the Lenten evening Toxic Charity study online.  We will send out more information about these electronic offerings tomorrow, once we have finished laying plans.  

Even though we will not be gathering in person on Sunday morning, we can still worship God together. Gathering online will be a new adventure for us! And for those who are not able to participate electronically, remember that our Book of Common Prayer contains many worship services for public and private use, including Morning Prayer (Rite I, page 37; Rite II, page 75).

While it is indeed disappointing not to be able to gather together in person for worship, not doing so may save lives. As Christians we are called to care for one another, and putting up with this inconvenience is one way for us embody that care.

This is a difficult and scary time. The good news is that we are not alone. We are never alone. God is here with us, surrounding us with love and blessing. I pray that you feel his close presence in the coming days.

Every blessing.

Anne

A Prayer:

Dear God, we know that you have promised to be with us at all times and in all situations. As our world faces the Coronavirus pandemic, we ask for your help and blessing and mercy. We pray for your healing for all who are ill, your comfort for all who are mourning or afraid, and your guidance for all medical professionals and researchers working to cure this virus. And we pray for ourselves, that in this and every circumstance, we may be good caretakers of one another, in your name and for your sake. Amen.