Spring at Emmanuel ... Safely Preparing for Your Arrival
Greetings ~
Life on the Emmanuel Church campus is blooming, buzzing and bounding forth in the splendor of Spring. The grounds, facilities, musical offerings, and Gideon and John, our clergy are in-line for the 134th Summer Chapel Season of worship and fellowship. Let us all give thanks!
This is the third summer we must be mindful of COVID-19's presence. The Managing Committee is guided by the best thinking of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and our own Diocese. COVID-19 Community Levels are a new tool to help communities decide what
prevention steps to take based on the latest data. Levels can be low,
medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being
used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in
an area. As of today, May 25th, Cheshire County is rated Medium.
County Check Link
The CDC now believes that when the risk alert falls to medium or low, people should feel more at ease to gather indoors unmasked. The Diocese states "once your county’s risk level is at medium or low, we can feel more at ease about gathering unmasked for both worship and coffee hour, while respecting individual’s choice to remain masked out of concern for themselves or others."
At the May 15th meeting of the Managing Committee, the following decisions were made:
- Masks will be optional.
- Coffee Hour will be held outdoors ONLY, weather permitting.
- Child care will be available during the service.
- The plate will be passed, expansion of hymns, and both lessons will be read.
- The Uber Board will return for scheduling of Altar Guild, Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Ushers, Flowers, and Coffee Hour Hosts.
- Weekly Bible Study will continue, in-person
Secondly, we await the news of Gideon's candidacy as the 14th Bishop of the Diocese of Virginia. The Special Convention and election will take place on Saturday, June 4th. Let us be mindful for Gideon, Sarah, Abigail, Woodford, Peyton, and Bird as they face this momentous moment in their lives. You may keep up with the process HERE.
The next E-Pistle Newsletter will come out prior to Opening Sunday. Stay tuned.
Gratefully ~
Ellen, Senior Warden
