A thought on the eve of our worship together
Dear Restoration,
I am so very much looking forward to joining you in worship tomorrow. My time away has been helpful in many ways and brought some restoration to my soul. I have thought of you regularly and wondered how you are. I am looking forward to begin reconnecting with you tomorrow.
I know that we have all been challenged (and a bit confused) by the current guidance regarding COVID-19 and the Delta Variant. We know that ‘transmission’ in our area is up and that the CDC is now recommending masks to be worn inside regardless of vaccination status. We also know that as we move about in our life, there is a wide range of compliance with this recommendation.
Let me remind you of some things to consider as you make decisions about worship of our Living God with your Restoration community tomorrow:
- We are continuing to livestream our 9am service. It is available for your household worship anytime after 9, wherever you are in the world.
- If you currently (or recently) have any symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home and worship with us through the livestream. Also, reach out to a pastor so that we can pray for you!
- We will continue to offer an opportunity to worship in our sanctuary at 9am and 11am. We are recommending, but not requiring face coverings for everyone, regardless of vaccination status. As you think about your current response to the pandemic, let me remind you that the vaccine protects you and a mask protects others. There is broad agreement that vaccination and masks will help us take significant steps towards the eradication of COVID-19. We are not requiring face coverings in our sanctuary because throughout the pandemic, Restoration has looked for agreement between CDC and Governor of VA guidance. Currently, we only have a recommendation from the CDC, but not an Executive Order from the Governor. So Restoration will use ‘recommend’ and not ‘require’. I share all this so that you can have a good idea of what to expect tomorrow in the sanctuary.
Restoration, we are all so very weary of this pandemic and trying to be resilient. We don’t want to go backwards, but we know that vaccination and masks have helped and the trajectory looks encouraging as we continue to move through 2021. Let’s keep pressing forward in faith and hope and in love for our neighbor. And let’s keep worshiping the living God with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind. I am really looking forward to joining you in it tomorrow.
Our Anglican prayer book has such rich resources to get us ready for worship. Here is a Collect for the Eve of Worship (BCP p.50)
O God, the source of eternal light: shed forth your unending day upon us who watch for you, that our lips may praise you, our lives may bless you, and our worship on the morrow give you glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
-David
