My Dear People of St. Thomas,
How can it be that we are already three weeks into our Lenten journey toward the Cross? It seems only yesterday that we were marking our foreheads with ashes and preparing to chant the Great Litany in procession. And yet, here we are.
Journeys have a funny way of doing that to us. We get so enamored of objects and events and things along the way, and before we know it, we’re out in the middle of deep, often uncharted waters, with little sign of either where we’ve come, or where we’re going. It can be frightening and disorienting. Life can be frightening, particularly when we can’t touch from where we’ve come, or where we are going.
And we find ourselves in the midst of the unknown – the uncharted waters of the COVID-19 virus. Every day, things seem to be a little scarier, a little more intense, a little closer to home.
What should we do? What should we not do?
Staying informed from rational, reliable sources is probably the best, smartest way to chart a course through this unknown. We will continue, at St. Thomas, to implement and utilize the Pastoral Directive of Bishop Sumner. Read his full letter >
In addition to that, I would ask that if you are not feeling well or are exhibiting symptoms of any illness, please stay home and practice social distancing. That is the very best thing that you can do for yourself and for your fellow Doubters. If you are connected to St. Thomas on Facebook, videos of the sermons are posted on our page.
If you are a member of a vulnerable population, or you are close to a member of a vulnerable population, please strongly consider staying home from worship and streaming the sermon from your computer or mobile device. Read the CDC’s recommendations for those at high risk >
When you come to events at St. Thomas, we ask that you sign in, so that if something develops, we will know who was at each event, and may contact you.
It is crucial that we stay on this journey together, that we stay the course. The very best way to do that is to stay in communication. Fortunately, in this day and age, we have so many ways to do that, to keep the “touch” of St. Thomas going, even when we can’t physically touch. And for a community our size, we can do this, easily and readily.
Let’s commit to checking in on and with each other, via phone, e-mail, and text. Let’s make sure that we stay well-informed, but not over-anxious about what is going on. Let’s find all the ways that we can to love each other through this crisis, because we know that this too shall pass, and we know what awaits us on the other side of this journey!
Yours faithfully, Fr. Christopher+
