An Open Letter from Rev. Clarence, 5/22/2020

Dear People and Friends of St. James,

In addition to the attached meditation for the Seventh Sunday of Easter [see separate post], I use this opportunity to share with you all information which may be of interest to you as it affects our common life at St. James.  This will be posted on our Facebook account [@StJSomervilleMA] and here our website, and I urge you to share it with your friends and acquaintances who have expressed interest in our parish.

• Many of you may already have received directly from our bishops the notice that in-person worship remains suspended until 1 July, although the governor has altered the restriction against in-person worship. The revised directives carry still certain restrictions.  However, in consultation with their fellow bishops, and especially with the Bishop of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, it is the wisdom of our bishops that the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Massachusetts shall delay further in-person assembly.  In the interim, our diocesan bishop has called for a committee to be formed within each deanery [that] will look closely at individual parishes in order to devise plans for reopening [that] will be based on needs and concerns of each parish.  Based on those recommendations, our bishops will issue guidelines for in-person worship for the entire diocese.  I assure you, based on expressions during weekly clergy discussions via Zoom, that all the clergy in our diocese desire two things: to return as quickly as possible to in-person worship and, at the same time, to minimize further transmission of COVID-19 throughout our diocese and beyond.  I support our bishops’ decision.
• Prior to our physical return to Broadway and Clarendon, I intend to have discussion with our wardens and vestry regarding the form of liturgy most appropriate for our parish. Given the ways in which COVID-19 is transmitted, but without speculating as to specific forms our liturgy will take, it is important that we remain opened minded to changes that, for the good of the community, may be necessary.
• When our bishop has removed restrictions against in-person worship, we will all have to make decisions based on individual circumstance. The wardens and I shall post a joint letter to each individual or family unit in which specific plans and cautions against transmission of COVID-19 shall be stated in clear language.  It is my fervent prayer that each shall make decision as to what is best for him/herself, and shall respect the decision of others [as] to what degree participation in common worship can be entered.
• In the meantime, in-person vestry meetings remain on hold. Should a meeting be required, it would be conducted via Zoom or conference call.  The wardens and I, functioning according to diocesan canons, would and shall meet via Zoom or conference call [to] address any emergency.
• The office remains closed. However, I check regularly for telephone messages.
• Our junior warden visits our site regularly to inspect buildings and grounds and to address concerns [that] need attention.
• Our treasurer confirms that, thanks to your continued financial support, all debts are address[ed] promptly.
• Although I work from home, I visit the office at least once weekly. While on site, I use the opportunity for prayer.  As I sit in our sanctuary and look around, I am reminded of the poetry recited in Morning Prayer, that we indeed worship “in the beauty of holiness.”  I continue to rotate my pastoral telephone calls.  Also in rotation, I post handwritten notes—I make no excuse for my penmanship—to parishioners.  And I invite you to ring in to me (617.744.0318) just for a chat.

As your Resident Introvert, I am nevertheless in much sympathy and community with you all as we of necessity observe restrictions in place for our continued safety and wellbeing.  However, please, please remember to include in your prayers, as do I daily, those in our congregation as well as those beyond our parish family whose professional obligations and employment require them literally to be on the frontlines in efforts against further transmission of COVID-19.  And, as always, I bid you pray for peace.

May the peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and may the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with you and those whom you love this day and forevermore.
AMEN

Alleluia!  Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen, indeed.  Alleluia!

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