August 5, 2021
My Dear Doubters of Great Faith,
As of this writing, Judge Clay Jenkins has returned Dallas County’s COVID-19 threat status to red, the highest of its color-coded threat assessment system, indicating that there is a high risk of virus transmission in our community. Our county has not been at this level since March, as vaccines began to roll out, and it seemed that we were beginning to find our way out of this pandemic morass. The red level indicates a shelter-in-place order, as well as the mandating of face coverings, particularly in indoor settings.
All of those generalized public health control measures have been taken from local authorities and centralized in the Texas governor’s office.
This does not mean, however, that we do not have control, and for that matter, responsibility in how we live out our Christian faith in light of the public health of those around us. We have a Christian duty and responsibility to not be a part of making this current situation worse. If there are things we know we can do to avoid the spread of COVID-19, it is our responsibility to do just that.
First of all, if we can get fully vaccinated, we simply must. This is our front-line protection against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. If you are not yet vaccinated, I urge you to do so at your earliest opportunity. There are many who cannot, because of their own health status, and so we must try to halt this virus, for their sakes, as well as our own.
Secondly, I implore you to wear a mask at all times when you are circulating in public, particularly and most critically if you are in indoor settings. Remember, it is not just for yourself that you are doing this. It is for others. And it is the “radical other” that is your (each of our) Christian responsibility.
These two things, vaccines and masks, are our defense against this virus that has claimed over 650,000 lives and stands to claim more.
Now, today’s understanding is that the current wave is the “Pandemic of the Unvaccinated,” which would imply that it’s their problem, not ours. If life, particularly the Christian life, worked that way, it really would be survival of the fittest. But that’s not the way the Christ-journey works. We are NOT in this alone. And neither are the unvaccinated. We are on this ship, in this storm, together, for better or for worse.
What does this mean for the Episcopal Church of St. Thomas the Apostle?
For the immediate future, ALL those attending the in-person worship will be expected to properly wear a mask over their nose and mouth throughout the service. If you show up to service without a mask, you will be given one. Please remember that you are doing this for Henry and all those who CANNOT be vaccinated. We masked when we worshipped in the Parish Hall, and we made it just fine! Coffee hour will be moved to the breezeway, and masks will be worn when refreshments are not being consumed.
Several small groups, such as Foyers, have begun to meet again. These small groups are acceptable, as long as attendees have been vaccinated, and all members agree to participate. Attendance will need to be tracked for contact-tracing purposes. (My personal choice is to return to outdoor dining only during this time, but that is only my personal choice.)
We will continue to track those who attend the in-person service in the event that contact-tracing becomes necessary. And if you are ill in any way, PLEASE STAY HOME! If you become ill, please be tested, and please let the office know if you have attended a church function so that others may be notified so that they may quarantine.
I believe that we can and must continue to consider the well-being of ourselves, each other, and the whole. By doing this, we can survive, and our beloved community will thrive in spite of this storm!
Yours in faith,
Fr. Christopher+
