Last week, I wrote to you urging the cancelation of all public in-person worship, meetings and events until further notice. This week, it has become clearer that we will not be back in our church buildings to observe Holy Week and celebrate Easter. In fact, yesterday Presiding Bishop Michael Curry wrote to the church asking us all to forego in-person Holy Week and Easter services.
This is a Lenten fast that none of us could have anticipated. But as we enter further into it, I find myself experiencing social distance as a way to be obedient to God’s commandment to love one another and the most vulnerable people in our midst. I am thankful for the technology that gives us new ways to gather and learn to be the people of God. If your congregation would like to offer online worship, you can find resources for doing so on the diocesan website.
I invite all members of our diocesan household to gather on Zoom at 8:00 a.m. each day (except Sunday) for Morning Prayer and 8:00 p.m. each day for Compline. I will also be offering Sunday prayer services on Zoom at 11:00 a.m. You can join us at: https://zoom.us/j/531110497 (or dial by phone: 646-876-9923, code 531110497#). Please invite the people of your congregation to join us as they are able.