Rector's message
The Diocese unveils a five-phase plan
during this time of Pandemic
Dear Parish Family,
The pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented exile of our All Saints family from our church building and of congregations from their building across the d
iocese. We have read about historic exiles in the Hebrew Bible. Exile was an experience not unfamiliar to the people of Israel, and this included having the Temple made unusable because of desecration. They longed to return. So, we too long to return to our building and our accustomed setting and services.
However, we are facing an adversary more pervasive and dangerous than an enemy with swords and legions. And we must not underestimate its threat. The clamor of impatient citizens and the wish to begin economic recovery propelled premature "openings" in numbers of states, even when the numbers of Covid-10 cases were still rising. The result has launched us into a sudden surge of Covid-19, as recently as yesterday, of which we are only beginning to see the leading edge.
In the face of these disturbing events, I am more than ever grateful to Bishop Shannon for her deep caring and caution in considering how best to protect the health and well being of each of the members of our parish, and all others across the diocese as we consider how to safely implement a phased return to in=person worship in our building.
Bishop Shannon and a Restart Team, appointed by her, have worked diligently to create a five-phase plan for eventually returning to in-person worship across our diocese. Many have wondered how and when we might be worshipping again in our beloved ALl Saints building. The difficult reality is that we will be in this time of pandemic for the long haul, with no predictable end in sight. Thus, this five-phase plan does not give a timetable for worshipping again, face-to-face, in church buildings, including All Saints.
The five-phase plan is described in detail in a document, "Reopening Guidelines". This document is available by clicking this link:
https://diovermont.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Dio_Vermont_Reopening_Guidelines_RV26.18.20.pdf
Blessings,
David +
