Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It is with some regret that I have to inform you all that we are now being strongly urged to begin wearing masks again in church starting this Sunday (8/1). This is due to the recent surge in COVID cases in our area and the new CDC requirements for indoor gatherings.
Bishop Goff sent out a letter to all the clergy last night instructing us to check the CDC county COVID data tracker (https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view) and if we were in the "Substantial" or "High" category, she strongly urged us to require all parishioners, whether vaccinated or not, to wear masks during worship. Unfortunately, as you can see if you click on the link above, we are in the "Substantial" category. While I am not going to require that you wear a mask at this time, I am urging everyone who attends the services at 8:30 and 11am to please consider wearing your masks. (Please note again that this is NOT a requirement, but an urge.)
I know that this might be a source of frustration and discouragement to a number of you. Believe me, I get it. Right when it looked like we were making some movement toward a kind of return to "normal" church life, we now find ourselves going backward a bit, and sadly some of the prognostications are saying that it's going to get worse as we move into the Fall. Please know that I share in these frustrations. This news has caused me to feel frustrated, angry, depressed, and exhausted all at the same time.
With that said, I want to ask all of you to please have some patience and understanding. I am in agreement with our Bishop that we do need to protect those who are vulnerable in our congregation, particularly our children who do remain susceptible to this virus. I say that both as the Rector of this congregation and as a father to an unvaccinated daughter. In that regard, wearing our masks is an act of Christian love for them, and that's why I'm urging you to consider doing so.
Beyond this, I'm asking all of you to please pray that this COVID pandemic is brought to a full and final end. To put it plainly, I'm over this, just as I'm sure all of you are as well.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call or email me. I appreciate your cooperation and your understanding on this.
Yours in Christ,
Kyle+