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I learned in a meeting yesterday with our Canon to the Ordinary (bishop's right-hand person) that hospital occupancy rates in Chatham County are above 90%, which is one of the triggers for moving into the "dark red" category (the pausing of in-person gatherings). The other trigger is cases per 100,000 at 60+ and as of yesterday we are at 42, which is still in the dangerous level.
This email has a lot of information, but it's important so I hope we will all take time to review it. Ultimately, we are each responsible for educating ourselves about the virus. At St. Peter's and in the Dioceses of Georgia and Atlanta we are keeping God and our relationship to God in Christ at the center of our decision-making, which offers a different perspective on the data, our own personal decisions and those we make together.
Sundays at 11am
 So for at least the the next two Sundays, we won't be gathering outside/in-person on Sunday morning at 11. (It pains me to send this because I feel like we were getting more people there and it's been so personally meaningful to me and others to be present to each other in that way. We will restart it as soon as we have 14 days below the thresholds of 90% occupancy or 60 cases per 100k.
Data Points
Each of us needs different levels of data to feel secure and confident about a given situation or decision. For some of you, the above paragraphs are all you need to know. But, if you're like most St. Peter's parishioners, you need some more data...and trust me, we have some data. :) And at least for this round, it would be helpful if everyone reviewed this information and shared it with others as questions come up.
Airflow in the Nave - One important piece of information regards our Nave and the church building itself. All along, most members of the Buildings and Grounds Committee and the Vestry have been concerned about the lack of airflow and ventilation in that building. We know from our past experience with mold (remember that?) that the sheer height of our ceilings and the location of vents mean a significant portion of overhead air simply doesn't move in and out very effectively. An airborne virus likely lingers more than it would in better ventilated space. It's a systemic problem that a team of parish engineers and architects are hard at work on even as I write this. The Vestry discusses this each month and we will share plans and ideas as we move forward.
Parish Advisory Committee - Our in-house team of physicians, health department staff and attorneys are unanimous in their support of caution with any sort of gatherings. They felt "okay" about outside worship, before this latest increase in hospitalizations and cases, but remained resolute in their opinion that inside gatherings were risky and and ill-advised at this time.
Diocesan Guidelines - Bishop Logue, Canon Loren Lasch and their advisors are highly conscious of the balance between our need to be together in person and our need to keep others and ourselves safe. Churches in general (and non-Episcopal churches in south and coastal Georgia) have been sites of major outbreaks of the virus. "Loving our neighbors as ourselves" means keeping each other healthy and safe.
Diocesan Charts and Graphs - There is a wealth of information here and can be helpful not only in making decisions about church, but also in the other ways we are gathering or wish we could gather. The links below open colorful, easy-to-read (and print if you'd like) graphs and descriptions.
Some Information About Vaccines and Gatherings
 Bishop Logue shared this with the clergy of the diocese and I hope can answer some questions we all have about vaccines and feeling safe to gather with others. It's helpful to remember that Dr. Collins, an active Christian and leading scientist, misses church too.
From Bishop Logue - Canon Loren Lasch and I got a briefing (thanks to the Presiding Bishop and Episcopal Relief and Development) from Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health, who says he is now best known as Tony Fauci's boss.
He emphasized getting the vaccine when you can and nudge others to do so, normalizing sharing when we get it on social media to encourage others. He said we are well on track to have 100 million vaccine doses around the country within a few months. In 4-6 weeks, we will have the data on how we might take vaccinations into account with regard to masks, distancing, and numbers gathered. But he stated clearly to NOT take that into account yet while studies are underway and we do know the potential for spread remains and we don't have the facts.
He is a committed scientist who converted to Christianity in his 20s and misses church, who encouraged us not to gather in person for worship now, as the more we are together, the less safe we are at present.
He was very up beat about where we will be in 90 days and strong in encouraging us to stay the course on mitigating risk now so we all get there together."
Interview with Dr. Collins - I have shared this interview with Dr. Collins and Russell Moore, the president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. It's quite good and touches on both the scientific and the theological, which should never be in conflict. It's a false dichotomy to put science and theology into conflict. Each should inform the other. Great interview and worth a listen.
Worship (For Now)
As usual, our Livestream Celebration of Holy Eucharist is at 9:00, with the recording available soon after. And a group of parishioners gathers at 4pm Monday-Thursday for Evening Prayer via Zoom. If you haven't joined, consider it. Details on the website and in our weekly email newsletter.
Please come by the church before 9 am on Sunday to pick up the consecrated bread for Holy Communion. It's on the table outside the office.
Blessings,
Hunt+
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