Coronavirus Pandemic – St. Luke's Episcopal Church

In Person Public Worship Suspended Until Further Notice

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, Covid-19, in January, a number of countries, and now the U.S., have put in place a number of policies to restrict the spread of infections by this novel virus, including banning or restricting foreign travel., recommending the cancellation of large group events, increasing the testing for the virus, and promoting social distancing practices. Wisconsin is among the majority of states that have issued stay-at-home directives. Steps have been taken to alleviate the economic consequences through provision of temporary paid sick leave, direct payments to individuals, small business grants, and extension of unemployment benefits.

Churches, non-profits and schools have responded with closures, cancellations of meetings and services, adoption of social distancing and strict hygiene for essential activities, and substituting online meetings and events for in-person gatherings. A number of dioceses of the Episcopal Church have decided to suspend worship services for the time being, including the Dioceses of California, Chicago, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia and Washington (D.C.). Others are adopting stricter protocols for the administration of Communion, and conduct of worship. The Bishop of the Diocese of Fond du Lac is now directing congregations of the diocese to suspend in-person public worship as well as recommending that no in-person meetings or gatherings be held. In his March 16 letter, Bishop Gunter said it was not a decision he took lightly:

“It is about balancing our need to gather for worship over against our need to love our neighbor and not spread the disease.”

As Bishop Gunter stated in his earlier letter of March 13, we need to be prudent but not panic. The nation and world are facing a serious pandemic that is evolving and will have an impact on the shared life of the church. “Let us remember first of all that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. . . . The essentials of the Christian faith never go away, no matter how challenging the times, give thanks to God in all things, love God, love your neighbors, say your prayers.”

NOTIFICATIONS FROM THE DIOCESE AND PARISH

Bishop Gunter’s Holy Week video message

Bishop Gunter’s March 20 Pastoral Letter to the Diocese of Fond du Lac

Rector’s March 19 Letter to Members of St. Luke’s

Bishop Gunter’s March 16 Message to the Diocese of Fond du Lac

Bishop Gunter’s March 13 Letter to the Diocese of Fond du Lac

The Presiding Bishop’s Message to the Episcopal Church

The bishop will be presiding at live-streamed liturgy at Grace Church, Sheboygan on Sunday 10:15 am. The liturgy will be streamed on the parish’s YouTube channel. And St. Thomas, Menasha and Intercession-Beloved Community in Stevens Point are live streaming liturgy on their Facebook pages: Intercession St. Thomas.

Washington National Cathedral is live streaming the Daily Office and Holy Week services. Liturgies may be viewed here.

Liturgy of the Word will be filmed at St. Luke’s each week and posted by Sunday on the parish’s YouTube channel. The readings will follow the lectionary for the given Sunday.

OTHER NOTIFICATIONS

Governor Evers Safer at Home Order

Door County Emergency Response Fund

Door County Medical Center Visitor Restrictions

Door County YMCA Program Centers Closing

Door County YMCA Message

Northern Door Children’s Center Appeal

Scandia Village Visitor Restrictions

Village of Sister Bay Health Emergency Declaration

Wisconsin Elections Commission Advisory on Absentee Balloting

NEWS BRIEFS (click here)

Bishop and Task Force issue guidelines for celebrating the Eucharist during pandemic