Emergency Preparedness Plan

I want to lay out clearly what our plan is in this time of fear and anxiety for dealing with the approach of the coronavirus.

What we have been doing to date:

• Loaves and Fishes continues to disinfect the Parish Hall, Kitchen, and Bathrooms after each meal with bleach, as has been their custom. They have increased the number of hand sanitizers, and have begun a process of education for the guests about the renewed importance of hand washing.
   
• To this, they have added wiping down doorknobs and door handles, and I have asked Chuck to make disinfecting entry points part of his cleaning routine.
   
• We have begun to stock more bar soap and other hand washing supplies in our Dignity Pantry in the Laundry.
   
• As always, we welcome everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity or country of origin. To allow a virus to make us turn our backs on each other would be a grave mistake indeed.
   
• I am now receiving regular updates from BOCES, which coordinates the emergency response for IASD. They are in contact with the state health department each day to track the progress of the pandemic.

UPDATE March 11, 2020

After meeting with Christina, and the wardens today, the following changes will be implemented:

• Loaves and Fishes will begin to serve all meals from the back door, to-go style. This transition will begin immediately, and be fully implemented no later than Monday, March 23.
   
• Laundry Love will be on hiatus until further notice. 
   
• Dignity Pantry items will remain available. When guests request an item, a staff member will put the item in their to-go bag. We will continue to emphasize bar soap and other cleaning products, and will accept donations of these items.
   
• The Third Sunday Breakfast is on hiatus until further notice.
   
• All community-provided food will be discontinued for the time being.  This includes Coffee Hour, Wednesday supper, snacks at meetings and classes, etc.
   
• Following the Sunday, March 14 service, choir will be on hiatus for the next two weeks, after which, Karen and Mtr. Megan will reassess.
   
• Group meetings and activities, not including Sunday Morning worship, like EFM, Wednesday night Lenten Series, Confirmation Class, Adult Education, etc, will need  to transition to an online format that works for their members. Talk to me about ways in which to do this. This also will include sessions to familiarize parishioners with how to access FB Live, Youtube Live, Zoom, etc.
   
• All staff are entitled to paid leave for any time affected by the ongoing pandemic— whether they become ill themselves, must care for a sick family member, or have their activities cancelled as a safety measure.
   
• Sunday services, being the center of our common life, and vital to our ongoing mission and spiritual health, will continue as long as local authorities and the bishop deem it at all safe. But ​parishioners are urged to use their best judgment about attendance in person. You always have the option to pray at home, either with your family or with the livestream of the 10:30 service.

I want to emphasize a few points: ​

Firstly, the best thing we can do right now is what we usually do: wash our hands, keep calm and don’t panic. If you feel sick, stay home and rest. Check in on others who are struggling, and look out for each other. Part of how we love our neighbor right now is to take precautions that protect the weakest and most vulnerable among us.

Secondly, and perhaps most important: no matter what we are faced with, our greatest task is to follow Jesus. Pandemic or not, we will continue to offer service to God where we are, as we can. St. John’s has served this community and Jesus in this place for nearly 200 years, and we certainly aren’t going to stop now.

With prayers, and peace, 
Megan+