A Message from the rector: limited steps to reopening

Dear Friends,

​It has been far too long since we have gathered in person, and yet God has continued to give us grace and blessings even though we are apart from one another. The vestry has reviewed the diocesan guidelines for regathering and listened to a broad range of voices from our church and has discerned the following steps toward reopening All Saints'. While these are small and tentative actions, they will give us a first chance to resume personal contact while ensuring the safety of everyone in our community.

- Sunday 5pm Evening Prayer will take place in the church garden (weather permitting) beginning June 28. This will be our first in-person, public liturgy since March as we worship in the beauty and relative safety of God's creation. Worshippers will be socially distanced and masked, and capacity will be limited.

- The church building will be open to the public for personal prayer on a very limited schedule beginning in July. Church members and strangers alike will be able to meditate and pray in our historic building for the first time since the spring. Strict safety measures will be in place, and all visitors to the church will be required to leave their contact information.

- The Sunday 10am online liturgy will continue with the addition of more liturgical ministers and limited music beginning July 5. The online community that has gathered around this service will continue to meet while our liturgy will become more robust. Everyone at All Saints' is encouraged to keep worshipping online at this, our primary weekly liturgy. This service will remain closed to the public. 

Thank you for your feedback and ideas, and especially for your patience and prayers. The vestry will evaluate these preliminary measures and review them over the summer, and we will continue to inform the parish of further regathering plans. In the meantime, I always welcome your input! May God continue to bless our church in these unprecedented times. 

In Christ,
The Rev. Steven D. Paulikas