My Dear People of St. Thomas,
It’s hard to believe that just two short weeks ago, we were at the end of Epiphany, celebrating the Feast of the Transfiguration, in which Peter and James and John bear witness to the transformative power of Jesus, and by this witness, are themselves transformed. Their own transfiguration moment comes, not so much from what they see and hear, which inspires fear, but in the transformative, healing touch of Jesus, which drives out their fear and anxiety.
It was, in fact, that healing touch that I believe transformed the three that day, and that healing touch that continues to be where transformation occurs. Touch conveys relationship, and relationship is healing and restorative and transformational.
The community of St. Thomas the Apostle has a long, rich, storied history of using the transformative nature of touch to heal and restore lives to communion, to relationship with God. Whether it was during integration, or gender inclusion, or the HIV/AIDS crisis, touch has been the conveyor of grace, and this is not to be reduced or minimized.
However, as we move out into the journey of Lent, we are confronted with the fear and anxiety, and, in fact, the reality of Coronavirus, a virus that is highly transmissible through casual contact, and one that currently has no preventable vaccination or cure. It is during this time that we must do everything possible to reduce the opportunity to spread this disease, particularly to our most vulnerable, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.
To that end, Bishop Sumner has issued a pastoral directive that each congregation is to follow, effective immediately, regarding both Holy Communion, as well as physical touch at points of our common life together.
Holy Communion will be given in only one form, the Bread. There is to be no physical touching during the passing of the Peace. The Peace is to be exchanged verbally and through the nod of the head. Physical contact will be limited in the coming and going from the worship space. Elderly and other high-risk parishioners may stay home and receive visits from Eucharistic Visitors.
It is critical during this time period that we find other ways to convey God’s grace, which is so vitally important to the restorative, healing process. We must find ways to convey the touch of our hearts and our minds through active listening and kind and generous words. We don’t want to lose the benefit of what touch has to offer. We just have to find ways to convey touch that are non-physical in nature.It will be a challenge, but I believe if any group can do it, St. Thomas can!
Read Bishop Sumner’s full letter >
With much love, Fr. Christopher
