The people in Haiti are still trying to recover from the devasting earthquake and many people in the US, especially in Louisiana, are suffering from damage caused by Hurricane Ida. You can donate to either of these causes through Episcopal Relief & Development: https://www.episcopalrelief.org

Or you can donate directly through the Diocese of Louisiana: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=CgoXWw

You can also donate to help refugees from Afghanistan through Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM):
https://episcopalmigrationministries.org/donate-afghan-allies/?mc_cid=dd6ad3d39bmc_eid=b7ea8f6d0c

There are, of course, ways to help other than financial. I hope you will prayerfully consider these needs or others.

Masks – We strongly encourage everyone attending the service to wear masks. Other than vaccination, masks provide our best option for limiting transmission and providing protection. It was also decided that the Celebrant and Chalice Bearer will wear masks during the Eucharist, because they will encounter everyone in the congregation during administration of the bread and wine.

The Peace – Until further notice, we will not move from our positions in the pews, shake hands or hug others outside of our family units. We will try to observe a reasonable social distance at all times.

The Eucharist – Rather than come to the altar rail, members will come to the Chancel area via the center aisle (following, not too closely, those seated ahead of them, beginning with the side on which the Celebrant is standing), take a wafer from the Celebrant using their fingers, intinct in the Chalice (if desired), consume the wafer and return to their seat via the outside aisle. This allows for better distancing and less time in close proximity to others.

In addition to the above changes that we began on Sunday, the committee also decided that we should implement the following changes temporarily:

Second Sunday – The luncheons that occur on these days will be suspended until conditions improve. The Parish Hall will remain open and coffee will be available before and after church. However, we strongly encourage members to observe distancing and wearing masks to the extent possible. If you have not been vaccinated, please do not use the Parish Hall.

Blessing of the Animals – Because of the uncertainty of the duration of the surge, the low percentage of vaccinations in the local area coupled with the overcrowding of hospital facilities for treating severe cases, we decided to postpone this event to the spring (after Easter). (I am looking for a way to store things you have been saving for the yard sale. Hopefully, information will be forthcoming soon.) We will, of course, continue to offer participation in worship via Zoom. So, if you are uncomfortable with the changes, do not feel well on a particular Sunday, or feel that you may have been exposed to someone with the virus, please use this option to join us. We will be monitoring conditions closely and will inform you of any changes to these recommendations. Thank you for your patience and your consideration of others.

May we continue to be spared from the worst outcomes of this pandemic, Ray