Open Letter from Rev. Clarence, 8/21/21

Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. James,

Our Facebook account has already carried the announcement—“Due to safety concerns…”—that tomorrow we shall not celebrate an in-person Eucharist. I am also aware that in good and typical St. James’ fashion, parishioners have used the telephone to alert others of that decision.  As I write and glance occasionally out the window of my study to see a beaming sun and a beautiful blue sky, it might appear unlikely that we are to experience still within hours a challenging event of nature.  The governor of the Commonwealth has asked that we postpone all non-essential travel for tomorrow.  As I am a firm believer in making use of the brain given me/us by our Creator God to the benefit of self and others, and as your priest in residence and having spoken already yesterday with our senior warden, I have cancelled our Sunday Eucharist and urge you all to take great care of self and others.

And as we are not beyond the reach of Covid-19 and its variants, I must inform you as well that our Bishop has allowed us to continue our in-person liturgies as permitted by local ordinances and following earlier diocesan guidelines.  That is, indeed, good news, but demands continued diligence on our part.  I look forward to welcoming you all back on 14 Pentecost.

Forsake not to pray for those who administer to the sick and for those who labor to find solutions to diseases and illnesses that limit our ability to realize our physical, psychological, and spiritual wellbeing.

We pray:
Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

May the peace of God, that passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be with you, and remain with you and those whom  you love, this day and forever more.  Amen.

Your fellow traveler in The Way,
CEB +