Friday's Message from Bishop Jake

Dear Friends, 

My apologies for yet another update. However, the Governor’s proclamation has once again changed the landscape. So, please note the following:

1. Congregations will continue to worship. I do not anticipate that any of our individual services will exceed 250 individuals. Under normal circumstances, we may not be able to say this. But given or demographics I anticipate a reduction in attendance.

2. Eucharist will now follow the practice of distributing the bread only as described in previous communications. Only the celebrant will handle the bread and the vessels during the celebration, hence reducing the need for hand cleaning and the likelihood of viral transmission.

3. Clergy, please urge those in high-risk populations (60+ and those with chronic illness) to stay at home. Assure them that you and their fellow church members will remain in touch with them. Keep track of how they are doing.

4. Those congregations that discern that suspending worship is the best course for them have my blessing. While I will not impose a general suspension, I support local discernment on this matter. You know your people.

5. Please alert those who will be staying at home that I will live stream Eucharist at 10AM CDT on Sunday. They can find it on my FB author page (not my personal profile - see https://www.facebook.com/bishopjakeowensby/). If your congregation already live streams, no need to send them my way unless you want to share the information.

6. All schools of the diocese should heed the Governor’s proclamation, turning to online or other strategies instead of face-to-face teaching.

All procedures already outline to prevent the spread of the virus remain in effect. And our reason for adopting these practices continues unchanged. We are loving our neighbor by doing all in our power to flatten the curve. 

+Jake

Note from your Rector - I so appreciate Bishop Jake's care and leadership on this issue. We will follow all these directives. My directive to you is - pray for one another, be kind when you are out in public (people are anxious, so kindness matters), love your family! We are in this together. Expect an increase in blog and Facebook messages from me. I will be calling and texting more often, to see what you need and how you are! Whit+

Camp Hardtner Sunday Special Event

A message from Deacon Bette Jo Kauffman - All welcome! This presentation is part of my "care of creation" work and features lots of my photographs, plus both important natural history of Louisiana and thoughts on the present and future of planet Earth. It features Camp Hardtner near Pollock, La., but will interest nature lovers whether you have ever been there or not.

UPDATE from Bishop Jake

A link to the downloadable copy of the Bishop's Letter is below...

We received this update regarding the Bishop's recommended response to the COVID-19 virus. This info is changing rapidly, but I will keep you all posted. The Bishop has asked that this info be shared with all congregations this Sunday and I will do so. Copies will also be available.

We will, of course, follow the Bishop's guidance. In addition, I have made the decision that at St. Alban's and Iglesia Episcopal La Esperanza de Familias Unidas we will begin receiving communion in one kind - meaning that only the bread (wafer) will be distributed. Per the Bishop's instructions regarding this topic, a chalice with a small amount of wine will be blessed during the Great Thanksgiving, but it will remain on the altar - we will not receive the wine, but will know and see that it is present at the altar. This wine will be consumed by me once the bread has been distributed to all prior to the Post Communion prayer.

Thanks for your understanding and cooperation. Please read the Bishop's complete statement by clicking here. As the Bishop says, we are in this together.

Text in Spanish follows...

Celebration of New Ministry!

Let's all show up to officially welcome Grace Episcopal Church's new rector, The Rev. Donald M. Smith, III. It's hard to go wrong with a third. 

Spring Forward!

Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 8, 2020 at 2:00 A.M. On Saturday night, set your clocks forward one hour (i.e., losing one hour) to “spring ahead.”

Lenten Eucharists and Suppers Begin Tonight!

Our Lenten Eucharists and Suppers begin tonight at 6:00 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church. The Rev'd Don Smith, Rector at Grace will celebrate, and The Very Rev'd Dawnell Stodghill, Priest in Residence at St. Thomas', will preach. Supper follows. Join us!

From Bishop Jake

Many people are concerned about how the church should respond to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. We have received an update from Bishop Jake Owensby. You can read the full statement which has some other helpful links by clicking here.

I highlight these points with my comments bold and italicized:

• The common cup has been in use for a very long time. When using a silver chalice and fortified wine, the risk of sharing infection is very low. If you are using ceramic vessels for Lent, please resume the use of silver. We will do so now.

• Intinction by individual communicants presents a heightened risk of infection. A single chalice bearer may take the bread and intinct it for each communicant, placing the bread in the hand or on the tongue. However, be aware that this too presents a heightened infection risk if there is inadvertent contact with hands and tongue. So, if you wish to intinct, please leave your bread in your hand and the chalice bearer will dip in the wine and place it on your outstretched tongue.

• Remember, receiving in one kind is entirely permissible, especially during a time of contagion. The church has always taught that receiving only the bread or only the cup is receiving full communion. If you wish to receive only the bread - simply cross your arms as the chalice passes.

• At the passing of the peace, I urge you to wave or bow to one another for the duration of this outbreak. Alas, physical contact such as shaking hands and hugging may transfer the virus. Current research suggests that COVID-19 is more contagious than the seasonal flu. We will follow the Bishop's recommendation. Please help others do this with good humor and a smile.

Please read the Bishop's full statement at the link above. Copies will also be available at the church and I will be reminding us of these things during the announcements. Bishop Jake closes with this wise advice. 

These are commonsense practices that many people routinely implement each flu season. There is no need to panic or to isolate oneself. By taking such measures we all participate in preventing the spread of coronavirus in our communities. These are easy things to do that can have a significant impact on your neighbors.