Please scroll down the page for the most recent updates from our Bishop, and Mother Barnes.
COVID-19 – Gathering Protocols Update, March 9, 2022
COVID-19 Protocols for Gathering
The Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem recommends the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
“How to Protect Yourself & Others” web page for detailed advice about our continuing effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
General Guidelines
Indoor Gathering
When considering indoor gathering and worship, each parish should determine the following:
• Your county’s “COVID-19 Community Level” as calculated by the CDC
• The Vestry’s consensus to open for indoor gathering/worship
• The agreement of the Rector/Priest-in-charge to open for indoor gathering/worship
Parish leadership should develop and communicate prevention steps for their parish as informed by the CDC’s
“How to Protect Yourself & Others” and “COVID-19 Community Level” web pages. People with symptoms, a positive COVID-19 test, or exposed to someone with COVID-19 should consider online worship/gathering instead of gathering in-person while masked.
Masking
As suggested by the CDC, “People may choose to mask at any time.” Additionally, the following masking
recommendations are suggested based on your county’s “COVID-19 Community Level”:
• High: Everyone should wear a mask indoors
• Medium: People at high risk for severe illness should wear a mask indoors
• Low: No mask requirement indoors
The CDC’s “Use and Care of Masks” web page is a good resource for learning more about the importance of masks for indoor gathering.
Specific Recommendations
Singing
Congregational or choir singing should follow the “Masking” guidelines above.
Eucharist
For indoor worship in counties with a “COVID-19 Community Level” of Medium or High should consider
these recommendations for celebrating the Eucharist:
• The Celebrant should sanitize hands liberally and wear a mask.
• The Sacrament should be received by the communicants in only one kind (the Bread).
• Any person who delivers the Bread to the communicants should sanitize hands liberally and wear a
mask.
• The Cup should be received only by the Celebrant.
There are no COVID-19 specific recommendations for celebrating the Eucharist in counties with a “COVID19 Community Level” of Low.
COVID-19 Update – May 20, 2021
Dear St. Luke’s parish family and friends,
A few months ago at a meeting of the Vestry, we realized that being open for Easter would not be possible due to Covid-19. Though we had hoped and prayed that we could, the reality was our numbers were too high. At the time, vaccines were slowly becoming available. The Vestry and I agreed to set Pentecost as a target date for reopening
As we resume in-person worship this weekend, it is with great joy and gladness that I share today’s new protocols from the Diocese and the news that we will resume Eucharist this weekend. Services will be: Vigil of Pentecost, Saturday, 5PM; Day of Pentecost, Sunday, 10AM. (Morning Prayer will be streamed at 9AM.)
Firstly, I want to thank all of you for your patience and kind consideration. It has been a long and challenging 14 months, yet with much faithfulness and diligence, we have cared for one another and practiced good safety while remaining prayerful and committed to God. Secondly, I ask that you please read the Diocesan guidelines carefully. We are a community of both fully and not fully vaccinated persons, therefore, for now, we will ask that everyone continue to mask and maintain safe distance. We continue to encourage everyone to get the vaccine and are happy to help if you need assistance or information regarding vaccines. For those who may be uncomfortable or unable to attend in person, we will continue to stream services on our parish Facebook page.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
I look forward to seeing you soon and welcoming you home to worship together and receive the “gifts of God, for the people of God.”
In peace and gratitude,
Mother Barnes
The Diocese of Bethlehem
COVID-19 Protocols for Gathering
Last updated: May 20, 2020
The Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem recommends the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People” and “Guidance for Unvaccinated People” web pages for detailed advice about our continuing effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
General Guidelines
Indoor Gathering
To consider indoor gathering and worship, each parish should determine the following:
• Your county’s 7-day Average New Cases per 100,000 to be less than 25 for 2 consecutive weeks
• The Vestry’s consensus to open for indoor gathering/worship
• The agreement of the Rector/Priest-in-charge to open for indoor gathering/worship
Parish leadership should prayerfully consider these three elements and notify the Bishop in writing (email or letter) of
any decision to gather indoors.
Fully Vaccinated People
The CDC considers people fully vaccinated:
• Two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, such as Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
• Two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnsons’s Janssen vaccine
People who do not meet these requirements are not fully vaccinated and should follow ”Guidance for Unvaccinated
People.”
Masking
Fully vaccinated people are not required to wear a mask while gathering. In gatherings that include both fully
vaccinated and not yet fully vaccinated people, masks that fully cover the nose and mouth are recommended for all
people.
Physical Distancing
Fully vaccinated people are not required to physically distance while gathering. In gatherings that include both fully
vaccinated and not yet fully vaccinated people, all people are recommended to stay six feet apart from others who do
not live with them.
Specific Recommendations
Singing
Congregational or choir singing among fully vaccinated and not yet fully vaccinated people should follow the
“Masking” and “Physical Distancing” guidelines above.
Gathering Capacity
Indoor gathering capacity should be determined by the circumstance and space. For indoor gatherings that include
both fully vaccinated and not yet fully vaccinated people, it is recommended that your gathering capacity be
determined by applying the “Physical Distancing” guidelines above to your indoor space.
Eucharist
• The Celebrant should sanitize hands liberally and should wear a mask that fully covers their nose and mouth.
• The Sacrament should be received by the communicants in only one kind (the Bread).
• The Celebrant should be the only person who delivers the Bread to the communicants.
• The Cup should be received only by the Celebrant.
COVID-19 Transmission at Parish
If there is a COVID-19 infection as a result of gathering at your parish, please contact the Bishop as quickly as possible
via phone or email.
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Current 7-day Average New Cases per 100k by County
Current COVID-19 Protocols for Gathering
Return to Indoor Gathering, March 18, 2021
| A Letter from Standing Committee and Diocesan Council |
 |
March 4, 2021
Dear Friends in Christ,
We have just passed a grim milestone in the COVID-19 pandemic – over 500,000 deaths nationwide, 24,000 of them in Pennsylvania alone, and just over 4,000 in the area comprising the diocese of Bethlehem. Each of these represents a life lost, a family grieving, a community diminished. In our
diocese, several of our beloved clergy have been infected and have, mercifully, survived. Few of our parishes remain untouched by the pandemic. Some have lost one or more parishioners. There is no doubt that in our small communities, the loss of even one Christian has a dramatic impact.
These losses deepen the sense of loss we encounter because of our necessary response to the pandemic. In a Church where common prayer is fundamental to who we are and how we live, shuttered churches portend a real threat to our existence as communities of faith. And yet, we find solace in the long history of God and God’s people: every time God’s faithful people faced great hazard, God has proved again and again to be a God who is strong to save.
Bishop Kevin has, throughout the crisis, consulted broadly with the representatives of the people of the diocese through Diocesan Council and Standing Committee. We, your chosen leadership, continue to look at the data, sound out “the person in the pew”, and together consider a reasonable way forward. At our most recent meetings, we were happy to hear of improving conditions throughout the diocese: decreasing positivity rates, the slowing of infection, declining mortality, and an increase in vaccinations. While glimmers of hope emerge, it is equally clear that as the finish line soon comes into view, the race is not yet won.
We all hear public health officials express cautious optimism, yet always with a warning: we cannot relax our resolve. Mitigation efforts (masking, social distancing, minimizing large group gatherings) must continue unabated in the near future. Along with the increasing administration of effective vaccines, these efforts strengthen our capacity to overcome current obstacles so that we may begin planning to gather once more.
We are profoundly aware that even as circumstances appear to improve, we are not even near the levels that prompted our original response in March 2020. It is true that our knowledge base has increased over time and we better understand what is involved. No one expects that we will be able to contain the impact of the virus totally before we return to a “new normal.”
However, we have advised that we continue our current mitigation efforts until we are confident that we can emerge with reasonable safety.
Specifically, we will:
• Continue to limit large group activities, including worship, at current levels;
• Continue to monitor regions of the diocese to assess progress;
• Consider modifications as circumstances improve.
Additionally, we have counselled against setting a date for returning. We have learned that doing so in the face of unpredictable circumstances can cause deep hurt and disappointment. However, we strongly urge parish leadership – clergy and vestries alike – to use this time to consider creatively how each parish will meet the challenges that we will face as we emerge from our COVID exile. Specifically, we ask each to consider and plan for:
• How we will gather differently and better because of our experience.
• How we will reconnect with the larger community through mission and outreach.
• How we will consider priorities related to mission and ministry in light of our new circumstances.
In all of this we are reminded of the words of Saint Paul in his letter to the Romans:
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-29
Please be assured, we are all most eager once more to embrace at the sign of peace, to sing out with full voice hymns both ancient and modern, and most of all to gather at the Holy Table to acknowledge that “There is one Body and one Spirit; one hope in God’s call to us; one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism; one God and Father of all.” We eagerly anticipate that day with you.
Sincerely,
Standing Committee
The Rev. Jane Bender-St. Margaret’s, Emmaus Lynne Graham-St. Paul’s, Montrose
Liza Holzinger-St. Andrew’s, Allentown Carol C. McMullen-St. Luke’s, Scranton
The Rev. Doug Moyer-President The Rev. Earl Trygar-Grace Church, Kingston
The Rev. Van Bankston-Good Shepherd, Milford
Diocesan Council
The Rev. Timothy Alleman-St. Stephen’s
Pro-Cathedral & Holy Cross, Wilkes-Barre
Melissa Amator-Trinity, Easton
The Rev. Melinda Artman-Redeemer, Sayre Jim Harding-St. Anne’s, Trexlertown
Matthew Malani-St. Stephen’s Pro-Cathedral,
Wilkes-Barre
Ross Mangina-Trinity, Bethlehem
The Rev. Michelle Moyer-Cathedral Church of
the Nativity, Bethlehem
Rebecca McLaughlin-St. Mark’s, Moscow
Sara McNelis-Grace Church, Kingston The Rev. Margaret Pendergast-Christ Church, Reading
The Rev. Jane Williams-St. Andrew’s, Allentown The Rev. Dr. David A. Zwifka-St. Luke’s, Lebanon
Bishop
The Rt. Rev. Kevin D. Nichols
Continued Suspension of Indoor Gatherings
Read a transcript of the message below:
Dearly Beloved,
In of all places – Bethlehem, the Christmas City – for me to come before you again and ask you to restrict your Christmas worship traditions – is truly heartbreaking… But, through the greatness of love (Psalm 5:7) we will endure… and dare I say, keep the light of Christ shining brightly in our communities…
When I suspended all indoor gatherings of our parishes effective November 22nd, I stated my intention to reevaluate in mid-December. I said that if the situation improved and if health experts agreed that cases and hospitalizations had dropped, I assured you that we would update the protocols and consider gathering indoors for Christmas.
Sadly, over the past month we have seen infection rates nearly double in most of our counties. For example, in Berks County the rate was 2,562 cases per 100,000 on November 13 and is over 4,400 as of December 14. The rate in Bradford County, in the Northern region, was 2,012 cases per 100,000 and is over 4,000. Governor Wolf has instituted new restrictions as health experts concur that COVID cases will continue to rise.
In recent days, I consulted once again with local health experts, colleagues from other denominations, and Episcopal bishops in the Commonwealth, and have considered input from congregational COVID Task Forces. I shared this information with the Standing Committee and Diocesan Council and It was their unanimous recommendation that I call upon you to continue to suspend all indoor gatherings of our parishes. Please know that I welcome your feedback and will continue to work with our Diocesan leadership to monitor our protocols moving forward.
Know that as difficult as this decision is, my first priority continues to be the health and safety of all our parishioners, their families, friends, and everyone with whom we come in contact with in our communities.
Let us hold on to the hopeful news of a vaccine being available to each of us in the New Year. And, know of my confidence and trust in each and every one of you.
During this daunting time, we must continually turn to God for guidance:
All powerful God,
help us to look forward in hope to the coming of our savior.
May we live as he has taught,
ready to welcome him with burning love and faith.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Know of my Love
Stay Strong!
Bishop Kevin
Pastoral letter from Mother Barnes
November 12, 2020
Dear St. Luke’s family and friends,
This afternoon, Bishop Kevin released an announcement regarding indoor gatherings which may be read by clicking HERE. (This letter is also posted immediately below.)
In his email, the Bishop specifically said, “After consulting with health experts, diocesan leaders, and other bishops in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, it has become clear that, in order to help ensure the health and safety of the people of the diocese, I must call upon you to suspend all indoor gatherings of our parishes effective November 22nd (or immediately, if you are able) until the end of Advent, December 20th.” (Bolding is Bishop Kevin’s, not mine.)
The wording that jumps out to me is “immediately, if you are able” Sadly, while I would like to stay open for indoor worship and providing space to the NA group, we are able to close immediately. Therefore, following tomorrow’s NA meeting, there will be no further indoor gatherings at St. Luke’s until further notice. Please note, services times will remain unchanged and will be live streamed.
When we reopened on the Feast of St. Luke, I said repeatedly that this may happen. Indeed, it has. It is disappointing because we miss each other and have missed worshiping in our sacred space. Moreover, we worked hard and successfully and safely reopened. We will do so again! But, for now, I feel it is best to follow the Bishop’s instructions and close immediately. There is no reason for us not to.
I will be at St. Luke’s tomorrow to talk to the NA group. That will be the last indoor gathering until further notice. To that end, the Bishop has asked for indoor gatherings to cease until December 20. He will then reassess the situation and notify the Diocese regarding Christmas.
No one wants to be closed for Christmas, and I pray we will not be. I do think it is important to remain realistic, however. With the pandemic raging out of control across the country, it is very likely that we will not be able to gather indoors for Christmas. I think it is only fair to be honest about that probability. For now, let’s be patient and prudent though; time will tell.
Whatever Christmas brings, we know that it brings one thing without question, and that is Emmanuel – God with us! And he is indeed. In all things God is with us, and will be with us, and through him all things are possible.
Thank you all for your anticipated understanding and good will. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
In Christ’s peace,
Mother Barnes
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Suspension of Indoor Gatherings Effective November 22
https://player.vimeo.com/video/478616832
Read a transcript of the message below:
Beloved of the Diocese of Bethlehem,
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
In the last message I shared regarding pandemic protocols for churches, I expressed concerns about indoor gatherings in our parishes. Health experts predicted the possibility of an exponential rise in COVID cases in the colder months as people would meet more often indoors, an environment more likely to spread the virus than outdoors.
Sadly, that prediction has come to pass. Though Pennsylvania had consistently reported well under 1000 daily cases of COVID in the summer, in the past 3 days we have seen those numbers jump to over 4000 a day. And health experts expect that COVID cases will continue to rise over the next few months.
After consulting with health experts, diocesan leaders, and other bishops in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, it has become clear that, in order to help ensure the health and safety of the people of the diocese, I must call upon you to suspend all indoor gatherings of our parishes effective November 22nd (or immediately, if you are able) until the end of Advent, December 20th.
This is difficult news, but please know that I intend to reevaluate in mid-December. If the situation improves, if health experts agree that cases and hospitalizations have dropped, and indoor gatherings pose a lower risk of spreading COVID, I assure you that we will update the protocols and consider regathering for Christmas. That said, it’s very possible that we will need to make plans to hold our Christmas celebrations virtually, or outdoors with masks and physical distancing. Though this would pose significant sacrifices, I would encourage everyone to embrace this moment as an opportunity to discover new ways to worship God in the beauty and holiness of the Advent and Christmas seasons.
Know that as difficult as this decision is, that my first priority is the health and safety of all our parishioners. Know of my confidence in the resilience of the people of this diocese, and my trust in each and every one of you. And, above all, know “that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.” –Romans 8:18
Be assured of my continued prayer and know of my love.
The Rt. Rev. Kevin D. Nichols
Bishop of Bethlehem
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Parish Survey
Have you completed the parish survey? We’d love to hear from you!
We are conducting a parish survey prior to reopening to obtain feedback and hear from you as your hopes and concerns. To complete the survey, click here.
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Pastoral Letter from Mother Barnes and In-person worship protocol.
October 16 2020, The Feast of Sts. Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley
Dear St. Luke’s Parish Family and Friends:
We will begin in-person worship once more this weekend October 17 and 18 and will celebrate our parish patronal Feast of St. Luke.
Saturday Eve and Sunday 10AM worship will be online and in-person, safe and beautiful, as part of our liturgy throughout the week. We’ll continue to host Morning and Evening Prayer on Sundays, and Tuesday through Saturday morning online. Resources will be made available for individual and family praying of the Daily Office on Monday, the only day on which we do not stream.
We shifted our ministries online seven months ago. We have gathered, prayed, and come to know each other better in the pandemic’s first phase. Our weekday services have grown significantly and people have joined from across the country.
Safety is the first standard for any in-person activity. We feel a moral and spiritual obligation to make the health and well-being of all a priority. We are mindful of the fact that we are returning to in-person worship even as our county case numbers are increasing, and will continue to diligently monitor statistics. We will follow guidelines from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, infectious disease experts, and the guidance of the Bishop of Bethlehem. In short, we will be more cautious than the guidelines allow.
This means, we will limit our in-person worship at first to 25 people. We have taken measures to section off pews in the Nave to allow for physically distanced seating. We will not be having choral or congregational singing, but will have an organ prelude and postlude each Sunday. Everyone will wear masks and we will ask participants to take a simple health screening upon entering the building.
The truth is we have missed connecting in person and we have missed being in our beautiful space. We have missed the Eucharist, and, we will continue to for some time. We are trying something new, and we are being careful as we do. Therefore, we will not be celebrating Holy Communion for a time, but will make an Act of Spiritual Communion, as we have been doing since Pentecost. As our Senior Warden stated, “Let’s take baby steps.” We would all wish for communion with bread and wine, but that is not an option at this point. Some churches are offering Eucharist, and distributing consecrated hosts as worshippers exit the church; others are distributing commercially prepackaged communion. I, with the Vestry’s support, feel it is best to adhere to the Prayer Book and our tradition as closely as possible, not making extraordinary changes that would not be in keeping with our liturgical norms and sacramental theology. As time goes on and we get through this ongoing pandemic, we will return to Eucharistic worship as we know it and love it.
Since March 16 we have been live streaming and will continue to share our services online. A low-intrusion camera has been purchased so we can continue livestreamed liturgy. Our community will now always be both on-line and (safely) in-person. Not everyone will feel comfortable returning in-person for a while. For others, returning may not be safe due to underlying health issues. We understand this and want you to care for yourself by staying home and joining us on the livestream and/or make use of other worship and devotional resources.
The goal for this coming weekend is to engage a congregation in-person and online, as well as invite participants who will watch the recording throughout the week. As always at St. Luke’s, families and children will be welcome at the service. We hope that parents will assess the needs of their families and choose in-person or streamed services as best works for them.
This week we will start with our Saturday 5PM vigil service. On Sunday, we will have our 10AM service. (We look forward to returning to having our Wednesday Healing Eucharist in the future.)
You can sign up online to attend.
Coffee hour will be held at a new time, at 11:15AM via Zoom. This will permit those who are attending in person to return home and those who are watching via live-stream to join together in face-to-face fellowship.
I’m grateful to the Reentry Taskforce and our Compliance Team Ushers who have helped us prepare for in-person worship.
As a final note, let me say, this week we will be celebrating our patronal feast, but we will begin with the Easter acclamation: Alleluia, Christ is risen!
We last held in-person worship in the middle of Lent. When the Scranton Times-Tribune interviewed me shortly after closing, I told the reporter that when we gathered again, regardless of what the calendar said, it would be Easter for us! I expected something different than we’ll experience in our first days back in person. Worship will be different than it was, at least for a while. When the pandemic is truly over, we will have a glorious Eucharistic feast with singing, Holy Communion, and loving joyful personal connection.
But worship in person again means that we’ve come through the pandemic’s first months together and that we’ve found ways to gather safely once more.
We have been through a lot. We have faced and are still going through much, sadly, including death, but thanks be to God, through the resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, death does not have the final say. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Blessings for the days ahead. Know that I and the parish leadership are here to support you. I hope you will join me in praying for our community as we shift forward with God’s grace.
Faithfully yours,
The Reverend Rebecca A. Barnes
Basic Information Regarding In-Person Worship
Although the following guidelines could change at any time, here is a vision of what our worship will look like:
- Doors will open 15 minutes before the start of worship begins, please remain in your cars until that time.
- Everyone must enter through the front door of the church. Accommodations will be made for those who require use of the ramp.
- Masks must be worn at all times; extras will be available.
- Upon your arrival, a compliance team member will collect contact tracing information (if you have not pre-registered) and your temperature will be taken. Please use the available hand sanitizers as you enter the Nave.
- Please pick up a service leaflet as an usher then seats you. The service leaflet is also available electronically on our parish website, stlukescranton.org
- Please note that only members of the same household will be permitted to share a pew. Follow the direction of the usher to keep a minimum of 6 feet social distance from others.
- Please remain in your seat. There will be no physical passing of The Peace, no congregational singing, and no passing of an offering plate.
- There will be no Holy Communion; an Act of Spiritual Communion will be made.
- Following the Blessing and Dismissal, please wait for the usher to instruct you when to leave. An offering plate will be available as you exit and everyone is to exit through the doors in Throop Building. Accommodations will be made for those who require use of the ramp.
- Please take all items with you as you leave including the service leaflet and avoid congregating.
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A Message from Bishop Kevin on Updated COVID Protocols
Beloved of God,
In these months following the outbreak of COVID-19, we have been working together diligently as a diocese to continue to “be church” in these unprecedented times, while upholding the safety of our people as our top priority. This priority has been the keystone on which we have built the diocesan guidelines for parish protocols. I want to re-emphasize that holding our worship and other meetings virtually is the safest way for our churches to gather at this time. For church leadership that elects to meet in-person, the safest option is to meet outdoors while following the appropriate health protocols (masks, 6 feet of physical distancing, etc). For churches that felt they were able to mitigate the added risks, our protocols had allowed for up to 25 people to gather in a building at one time—again, following the appropriate health protocols.
These guidelines have been developed in large part based off of the Governor’s guidelines, which are informed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. As we move into colder months, experts agree that the risk of contracting COVID will increase significantly due to the likelihood that in-person indoor gatherings will become more common. I urge the parishes of our diocese to continue to uphold the safety of our people as our top priority as we make decisions regarding our gatherings. That being said, the Governor’s guidelines now allow for indoor gatherings of up to 20% of a building’s capacity as defined by fire code, and we have updated the diocesan guidelines accordingly—allowing for this increased number as long as all other appropriate health protocols (masks, physical distancing of 6 feet, etc) are followed.
This does not mean that churches should automatically elect to begin meeting indoors or increase their gathering limits. Nor does it mean these updated protocols from the Governor can be regarded as safe at this time. For any church that is considering meeting indoors and/or increasing their meeting capacity, I ask that you diligently research what experts are learning about how COVID-19 is spread, and take their concerns about increased rates of transmission in colder months into account as you make decisions regarding your gatherings. Again, the safety of our people must be our top priority.
Keep in mind that if cases in Pennsylvania spike, and if there is no corresponding change in the Governor’s protocols, the diocese may have to adopt stricter guidelines than what the state suggests.
I know that meeting virtually can be challenging for some, and it can be tempting to allow our desire to gather together to celebrate Christmas to impair our judgement when it comes to meeting safely. Please know that I share in longing to celebrate the birth of Christ as we have done in the past, seeing people face-to-face and meeting together with those we care about within our church buildings. And yet now, more than ever, I believe that God is calling us to use this moment as an opportunity to step outside of our comfort zones—to adapt and find new possibilities to gather together, using both technology and traditional means such as mailings and phone calls to connect with one another, and to worship God in the beauty of holiness in innovative ways.
I am putting my trust in the leaders of our diocese, clergy and lay, to make wise decisions. Know of my support and my prayers for you and for all the people of our diocese.
In God’s love,
The Rt. Rev. Kevin D. Nichols
Bishop of the Diocese of Bethlehem
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COVID-19 Updates and Pastoral Letters from Bp. Kevin and Mother Barnes
11 September 2020
Dear St. Luke’s family and friends,
I hope this email finds you well. We are now past Labor Day weekend and into the unofficial start of the fall season. While it has been so long since we have been together in person, it feels nonetheless, that time is passing quickly and we are already thinking ahead at St. Luke’s towards Thanksgiving and Advent.
Earlier this summer, our plan to return to in-house worship as developed by the Task Force and approved by the Vestry, received approval from Bishop Kevin. We began taking steps to clean the church and procure the necessary cleaning products that we must use. This was not easy, as they are in high demand, similar to the shortage we all face when shopping in the grocery store. Of course, we continue to cautiously watch the numbers and follow ongoing updates from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Currently, a number of churches in our Diocese have resumed in-person worship. However, a large number have not, or are gathering exclusively outdoors. Most are offering some form of virtual worship, as we have been doing at St. Luke’s daily since March 16.
At present, we have set a tentative date for resuming in-person worship, the weekend of October 17/18, the weekend of the Feast of St. Luke.
Much work needs to be done to prepare our parish to re-open. The building has been essentially vacant for months, so as you can imagine, there is a lengthy list of housekeeping and maintenance tasks to complete. We must also implement the Task Force’s Covid-19 safety protocols. We need to tape off pews, dust, clean bathrooms, wash windows, set up a welcome area, spruce up the parking lot, etc.
To that end, a series of planning sessions and a Parish Work Day have been scheduled. Everyone is invited to join us for the scheduled work day on Saturday, 9/19 (10-3) for all, or even a portion of the day. Please RSVP by replying to this email for the workday so that we do not exceed the maximum of 25 people, and can maintain safe social distancing. Weather permitting, we will provide a pizza lunch to enjoy in the Memorial Garden.
Additionally, we will be training Compliance Team members. We have identified a number of people to serve in this capacity and would be happy to have a few more. Compliance Team members will be greeting, taking temps and contact tracing information, serving as ushers, and cleaning after the liturgy. If you would like to serve in this capacity, please email Mother Barnes at mthrbarnes@gmail.com with “Compliance Team” in the subject field.
Our schedule for returning to in-person worship is as follows:
Tuesday, September 15th @ 7pm – Regathering Task Force Meeting (A Zoom link will be provided for anyone who is unable to attend in person.)
Saturday, September 19th 10am-3pm – Parish Work Day
Saturday, September 26th 10am – Compliance Team Training
Tuesday, September 29th 6:30pm – Vestry and Task Force Liturgy – (Vestry, Regathering Task Force, and Compliance Team only to work out details.)
SPECIAL SERVICE – Friday, October 2nd 6pm – Annual First Friday Blessing of the Animals, Memorial Garden. (We will also bless pets outdoors on Sunday, October 4 at 11am for those unable to attend on Friday, and/or to permit safe numbers.)
FIRST IN-PERSON PARISH SERVICES
Saturday, October 17th 5pm – Eve of the Feast of St. Luke (Eve of our Patronal Feast and First Parish Saturday Service Open for In-Person Worship)
Sunday, October 18th 10am – Feast of St. Luke (Patronal Feast and First Parish Sunday Service Open for In-Person Worship)
For all events, everyone must wear a mask and socially distance. All services will continue to be live streamed via our parish Facebook page.
We will be providing more information as to what to expect in our in-person services as we get closer to reopening date(s). We will also be conducting a parish survey prior to reopening to obtain feedback and hear from you as to you hopes and concerns.
Please note, St. Luke’s policies and procedures are subject to change under the direction of the CDC, the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Diocese of Bethlehem.
We are excited about our plan and ask that you will please keep our parish in your prayers as we move towards in-person worship.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Peace and blessings,
Mother Barnes
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Message from Bishop Kevin: Phase II Guidelines
Read the Phase II Guidelines
Read a transcript of the message below.
“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” -Jeremiah 29:1
We heard this familiar passage from Jerimiah at our first Diocesan Convention together in 2018. How poignant these words remain in the midst of this pandemic.
We also invoked Joshua, another Old Testament prophet that day:
“I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:9
Translated another way, “Be fearless and undaunted.”
I come to you this day in the hopeful and prayerful spirit of the prophets, recognizing that this moment—this time—demands that we be strong and courageous, fearless and undaunted.
Today, I offer guidance for our churches as we begin to enter Phase II and start to imagine ourselves gathering in-person.
The document that accompanies this video was developed after extensive consultation and input. Insights from the wider church; the CDC, as well as local medical experts; insights from other Episcopal Dioceses and denominations like our Lutheran, Roman Catholic, and Moravian brothers and sisters; and in consultation with our Diocesan Leadership bodies. Diocesan Council and the Standing Committee affirmed these guidelines on May 14.
We are so grateful for the feedback and wisdom of so many. And let me add that three principals also guided the development of our guidelines:
1. The empowerment of every leadership body is essential. These guidelines were designed with the understanding that each congregation knows its particular context best. We have offered best practices and questions for you and your vestry to answer. This is not a prescriptive, top down plan or directive.
2. Congregations should determine their own timeline for gathering in-person that fits their local context. Let me emphasize – You should not reopen if you are not ready! Work at your own pace. The safety of all members is our first priority. And our learnings are ongoing and fluid. Adapting to new understandings from medical experts and other leaders must be expected.
3. This process must remain rooted in partnership. Beginning May 26th we will offer Zoom gatherings in each of the eight new Convocations of the diocese. Each clergyperson and Senior Warden serving a parish are invited to participate. We also ask that you consider inviting an additional member to join this call.
Our experience of recent Convocation gatherings with clergy and lay leaders is that a wonderful sharing of resources and relationship-building occurs when we work together.
Please take the time to read carefully the Phase II Guidelines and know that your diocesan staff is available to offer support and assistance.
“Be strong and courageous (fearless and undaunted); do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Hold on to these words. Know of my love. Be assured of my continued prayers. And, I so look forward to being with you soon.
___________________________________________________________________________
May 19, 2020
Dear St. Luke’s parish family and friends,
Below is a message from the Diocese of Bethlehem and Bishop Kevin detailing guidelines for Phase II.
As Lackawanna County is one of the Pennsylvania counties still in the red phase, we remain under a Stay at Home Order through June 4. The Vestry and I will continue to closely monitor the status of our county and review the guidelines as put forth by the Diocese. When it is safe to move toward reopening we will submit our plan to the Bishop, as required, and take every precaution to assure the safety of all.
Life in the Church will be different, to be sure, and at some point we will once again be able to worship together in-person. In the meantime, we will continue to live stream and hold Zoom gatherings.
In this most unusual time, things are challenging, but be assured we remain held in God’s love and grace, and there is indeed nothing, that can separate us from the love of God.
In peace,
Mother Barnes
Message from Bishop Kevin: Phase II Guidelines
Read the Phase II Guidelines
Read a transcript of the message below.
“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” -Jeremiah 29:1
We heard this familiar passage from Jerimiah at our first Diocesan Convention together in 2018. How poignant these words remain in the midst of this pandemic.
We also invoked Joshua, another Old Testament prophet that day:
“I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:9
Translated another way, “Be fearless and undaunted.”
I come to you this day in the hopeful and prayerful spirit of the prophets, recognizing that this moment—this time—demands that we be strong and courageous, fearless and undaunted.
Today, I offer guidance for our churches as we begin to enter Phase II and start to imagine ourselves gathering in-person.
The document that accompanies this video was developed after extensive consultation and input. Insights from the wider church; the CDC, as well as local medical experts; insights from other Episcopal Dioceses and denominations like our Lutheran, Roman Catholic, and Moravian brothers and sisters; and in consultation with our Diocesan Leadership bodies. Diocesan Council and the Standing Committee affirmed these guidelines on May 14.
We are so grateful for the feedback and wisdom of so many. And let me add that three principals also guided the development of our guidelines:
1. The empowerment of every leadership body is essential. These guidelines were designed with the understanding that each congregation knows its particular context best. We have offered best practices and questions for you and your vestry to answer. This is not a prescriptive, top down plan or directive.
2. Congregations should determine their own timeline for gathering in-person that fits their local context. Let me emphasize – You should not reopen if you are not ready! Work at your own pace. The safety of all members is our first priority. And our learnings are ongoing and fluid. Adapting to new understandings from medical experts and other leaders must be expected.
3. This process must remain rooted in partnership. Beginning May 26th we will offer Zoom gatherings in each of the eight new Convocations of the diocese. Each clergyperson and Senior Warden serving a parish are invited to participate. We also ask that you consider inviting an additional member to join this call.
Our experience of recent Convocation gatherings with clergy and lay leaders is that a wonderful sharing of resources and relationship-building occurs when we work together.
Please take the time to read carefully the Phase II Guidelines and know that your diocesan staff is available to offer support and assistance.
“Be strong and courageous (fearless and undaunted); do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Hold on to these words. Know of my love. Be assured of my continued prayers. And, I so look forward to being with you soon.
Message from Bishop Kevin: Phase Approach to Re-gathering
Read a transcript of the message below, or view the PowerPoint presentation.
Surrender! Have you surrendered, yet?
As many of you heard me say in the cathedral live stream Easter Sunday – this particular moment is one where we are called to let go and trust in the Risen Christ –despite our best instincts to do it alone (or there cannot be survival without surrender!)–we must walk together knowing that God walks with us on this journey as well.
This is what the Easter season is about – our thinking anew as to how we are to reach out and bring Christ’s love to a world so desperately in need. This crisis offers us an opportunity to lean into our ethical responsibility for the common good and to address the growing inequalities that that this pandemic has exposed.
I have heard from so many of you just how jarring it is to not be able to gather in community with others. I hear your longing for the Eucharist. I yearn for that time when we will be together again in celebration. And yet, I am so heartened by your innovative spirit – by the ways you are gathering together virtually in coffee hours, Bible studies, creative prayer and worship opportunities and other fellowship moments to stay connected. I’ve heard story after story of people who have overcome their fears of technology to reach out!
Many are anxious and wondering how and when we will return to gathering in-person for fellowship and worship. At this time, I’m calling on all congregations to remain closed to all in-person worship. We must continue to rely on our medical professionals to ensure that we return when we are safely able and have all the proper precautions in place. And though we have been longing for a specific and set date that we could look forward to—when things would suddenly go back to “normal’—what has become clear is that the events that surround us are much too complex to provide us that kind of certainty.
Rather, we are working with the Presiding Bishop’ office, other dioceses, similar organizations and diocesan leadership bodies to develop a phase approach for return.
A phase approach means that we do not set dates for when we return to worshipping in-person, but instead look at the circumstances surrounding us to decide what actions we should be taking in the present, and what actions we should take in the future when circumstances change. With guidelines from the United States and commonwealth governments, and other experts in the field of health, we have created a set of phases that describe appropriate church protocols based on health characteristics in our communities. Our goal is to continue to “be church” safely in every circumstance.
We are currently in Phase I, which is characterized by:
• Widespread community spread of the virus
• Overtaxed health system
• Short medical supply
• Lack of availability of vaccine, therapeutics, and counter measures
• Lack of protective supplies (e.g. gloves, masks, sanitizer) for general public
As long as these characteristics remain, we will continue to be in Phase I, which requires the following protocols:
• Gathering for online worship, formation, and community
• Limiting service ministries to safe protocols dedicated to essentials such as feeding ministries
Once the situation improves, and we see the following changes:
• Fewer than 50 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people for at least 14 days.
• Safe treatment of all patients requiring hospitalization without resorting to crisis standards of care
• Testing all people with COVID-19 symptoms
• Active monitoring of confirmed cases and their contacts
• Case-Based Interventions including quarantine while awaiting test results, traced relationships over 14 days, and quarantine for close contacts with diagnostic testing
We will enter Phase II, which means we can adopt the following protocols:
• Church offices open in spaces large enough for physical distancing (in consultation with the bishop)
• Continued online worship, formation, and community
• Small church worship under 25 may restart in spaces large enough for physical distancing (in consultation with the bishop)
• Continued health safety protocols:
• Wear masks
• Wash hands
• Sanitize frequently
• More specific guidelines will follow once Phase II health characteristics are closer to being met.
Once the situation improves so that there is:
• Negative community spread
• Global vaccination
• Widespread therapeutic availability
• Comprehensive testing for virus and immunity
We will enter Phase III, where we will adopt the following protocols:
• Church offices opened
• Missional and administrative capacities created
• Worship in churches
• Increased small group gathering
• Increased missional gathering
• Continued online worship, formation, and community
• Continued pastoral calling
• Return to service ministries with addition of new community relationships
For more information about all the phases, you can visit diobeth.org/COVID19.
Though it can be difficult to no longer operate with a specific “date-to-open” in mind, this phase approach allows us to safely and effectively plan for the future. And the lessons we learn in our current phase will help us be a more resilient, loving, and missional church in the future.
Please know that you all remain in my thoughts and prayers and that I need to hear from you. Please continue to reach out to our Diocesan Staff, particularly the Rev. Megan Dembi, if you have specific questions about our phased return to worship and ministry.
Know of my love for you, and that I, diocesan staff, and your friends and colleagues are available to support you through this time. For I am convinced that it is only together that we can walk through this moment and through this moment we will discover that God is building something we cannot yet fully see or know.
A note from Mother Barnes regarding recent worship changes.
Updated April 2, 2020
Dear St. Luke’s family and friends,
We find ourselves in an unprecedented time. The past
In times like these we need to put aside our own self-interests and work together for the good of everyone. Every major religious tradition teaches some form of the golden rule, that is, “do on to others as you would have them do unto you.”
Recently, The Most Reverend Michael Curry, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church noted that while Christians are in the season of Lent, and while this is not the fast that we expected, it’s important that we take time to fast from our public gatherings and worship, and socially distance in an effort to really exercise the words of Jesus who taught that we should love our neighbor as ourselves.
After careful consideration of the advice given by government and healthcare professionals, as well as Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and other local bishops and faith leaders, Bishop Kevin Nichols called upon all churches in the diocese to continue to suspend in-person gatherings of any size, including worship, through Holy Week and Easter. As of today, the suspension has been extended to May 3.
That means that all operations at St. Luke’s will remain suspended for the next month, including Holy Week and Easter.
While we are closed for public assembly, I believe we can make the best of this situation. Therefore, we will be streaming worship services, particularly the Daily Office, and offering opportunities for electronic gatherings via ZOOM. This will include adult ed, centering prayer, and meetings, e.g.
This is not how we would prefer to do this, particularly as we are entering our most sacred liturgical season, but I think we can take this as an opportunity to explore new opportunities. What is most important is that we are able to be together and remain spiritually connected.
To that end, we have organized a “buddy system” in the parish and will be reaching out regularly to check-in and connect with you.
I pray that in this time of anxiety and isolation, you will honor your feelings, reach out for help if you need it, and reach out to others around you. Sometimes just calling someone, offering to run to the grocery store if they’re not able, or offering to do some other small deeds can make a whole world of difference in someone’s life.
What is most important though is that we love and honor and respect one another by taking this time to distance to allow the pandemic to hopefully mitigate, and to give our health professionals and medical facilities all the support we can by not doing things that will exacerbate the spread of this virus.
Please know that you are in my prayers and I am available for pastoral calls. Together, and with God’s grace, we will get through this.
In Christ’s peace, I remain faithfully yours,
The Reverend Rebecca A. Barnes