Dear Friend,
This week our diocese updated the guidelines for our current phase of the Re-entry Plan. We are currently in Phase 1.5. Bishop Skip and our Standing Committees shared this:
" Effective immediately, Monday, March 8th, Phase 1.5 of the Re-Entry Plan for Great Lakes Episcopalians allows for outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people. “Outdoors” means open-air (not enclosed structures). Masks and distancing continue to be required at all times, both indoors and outdoors, and a log must be maintained in case of needed contract tracing.
Click here to review the modified Plan for Re-Entry for Great Lakes Episcopalians.
We continue to watch the risk level data to move toward a greater re-entry of in-person, indoor gatherings. We join you in feeling the frustration of being apart for so long, especially as we approach the one-year mark of the initial shut down. When the data reflects the metric we are looking for statewide, we will wholeheartedly be able to set an official date for Phase 2. In the meantime, continue to mask up, stay home when you can, and get vaccinated when it’s available to you. We are grateful for your patience and your careful compassion for your communities."
So what does this mean for us? I will be working with our vestries to plan our move back to in-person, outdoor worship as soon as we can. It still cold and often wet this time of year, so our plans will be dependent on weather. This Sunday, March 14, we will still hold our service of morning prayer on Zoom as a covenant. If weather permits, we may try to hold our services of Holy Eucharist outside on March 21 and 28. That decision will be announced next week.
You can read more about our plans for Holy Week and Easter Sunday in this newsletter.
As we move back into in-person worship, our online offerings will change a bit, but we will continue to offer online services in some format on Sunday mornings for all those who aren't able to join us in person. We will communicate all changes before they go into effect.
In Christ,
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Mtr. Radha's reflection on receiving her first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
I’m grateful to have received my first shot of the Covid-19 vaccine this week.
But I must also admit to being fearful and nervous. I grew up in a vaccine hesitant household. I didn’t receive any vaccines until the MMR when I entered public elementary school in first grade. The rest of my vaccinations didn’t happen until college. I still believe that naturopathic and homeopathic remedies have value. And I choose to believe in modern science and medicine. I trust the scientists who say that this vaccine is our best bet for preventing more unnecessary deaths from Covid-19 and that the vaccine is safe. I also don’t think it’s possible to know with 100% certainty that there is absolutely no chance of any long term effects for a new vaccine. So I have some fear.
I chose to receive this vaccine in spite of my fears because I believe that this is the best way I can love my neighbor right now. I don’t believe that I have the right to protect myself from an unknown, uncertain, possible future danger at the expense of the lives of my neighbors today. If my vaccination helps to preserve even one life, then it is worth it.
If you are feeling nervous or hesitant about the Covid-19 vaccine and want someone to talk with, my door (the virtual one right now) is always open.
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Time Change this Weekend
Daylight Savings Time is this weekend. Don't forget to "Spring forward" your clocks on Saturday night or you'll miss church on Sunday morning!
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Invitation to Participate in Triduum Service
The Revs. Jodi Baron (Manistee and Beulah), Jim Perra (Traverse City), and Radha are creating a collaborative pre-recorded Triduum service for the Northern Region. We will use these online services for our celebrations of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil.
You are invited to contribute photos and videos to help us create these services! We need:
- Photos and videos of foot washing or hand washing. You are welcome to stage a footwashing in your home, or wash your own feet or hands, or even wash the paws of a furry friend. Photos of past services at our churches are also welcome.
- Photos and videos of kids ringing bells. These will be used at the Great Alleluia during the Easter Vigil. Please have lights turned on for the photo or video.
All photos and videos need to be uploaded to this Google Drive folder by March 15. You can also email them to Mtr. Radha at rector.cmec@gmail.com.
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Easter Flower Donations
Help us decorate our altar for Easter by donating for flowers! Donations for Easter flowers can be mailed to the St. Mary's and the St. Andrew's church offices. Please note that the donation is for Easter flowers.
If you would like to specify a memorial or dedication for the Easter flowers, please send the names to Mtr. Radha at rector.cmec@gmail.com. Names must be received by March 31 to be included in the Easter bulletin.
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Holy Week and Easter Services
Palm Sunday - February 28, 10:15 am - on Zoom
Holy Eucharist with distribution of communion in the St. Andrew's parking lot
Note: This service might be moved to in-person in the St. Andrew's yard, depending on the weather forecast. That decision will be made the week before the service.
Maundy Thursday - April 1, 7:00 pm - on Zoom
Holy Eucharist with footwashing and the stripping of the altar
The video of the service may also be watched at any time on your own.
Good Friday - April 2, 7:00 pm - on Zoom
Order of service for Good Friday
The video of the service may also be watched at any time on your own.
The Easter Vigil - April 3, 8:00 pm - on Zoom
Holy Eucharist with vigil readings and the renewal of our baptismal vows
The video of the service may also be watched at any time on your own.
Easter Sunday - April 4, 10:15 am - Westerburg Park, Reed City
Holy Eucharist outdoors and in-person as a covenant!
Masks are required at all times.
6 feet of distance must be maintained between all households.
This service will take place no matter the weather. Please use your own judgement about attending if there is inclement weather.
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Volunteers Needed at St. Mary's DME
There are a few days in March that still need volunteers in the DME. If you would like to volunteer on any of these dates, contact Diane Wilson at dewilson8980@gmail.com.
March 25 - One person
March 29 - One person
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Compline and Conversation:
Lenten Program
You are invited to our joint Lenten program on Wednesday nights in Lent from 7:00 - 8:00 pm. We will gather on Zoom every Wednesday through March 24
This program will include a time of contemplative prayer using Compline and discussion of Living Compass’ book Living Well Through Lent 2021: Listening with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind.
You can download a free PDF copy of the book here.
Click here for the Compline bulletin.
Click here to join the Zoom meeting.
To join by phone, call: 312-626-6799 (Chicago)
When prompted, enter Meeting ID: 745 519 1600
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Meijer Simply Give Program to Benefit
the Manna Pantry
Starting February 14 and ending April 4, the Simply Give program at the Big Rapids Meijer store will benefit the Manna Pantry of Big Rapids. This means that every card you purchase for $10 will translate into a $20 donation to the Manna Pantry. There are two double match days when Meijer’s will match each $10 with a $20 match. They are March 13 and April 3. Please donate often. This is an easy way to increase your support to the Pantry. For those who live in Cadillac, please check at the Cadillac Meijer store to see what organization they are supporting this time. It is probably a local food pantry.
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Bishop Skip Welcomed as Assisting Bishop
With transition protocols complete, Bishop Skip fully enters role of Assisting Bishop. Following their original announcement last month, the Standing Committees of our dioceses have announced that the Rt. Rev. Gladstone (Skip) Adams has formally transitioned into the Assisting Bishop role, following the successful completion of a thorough appointment process.
Click here to read the latest announcement, including messages from the Standing Committee Presidents and Bishop Skip.
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News from the Wider Church
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Episcopalians will commemorate Bishop Barbara Harris virtually one year after her death
[Episcopal News Service] One year after the death of the Anglican Communion’s first female bishop, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to prevent the kind of in-person memorial service befitting her stature in The Episcopal Church, but celebrations of the life of the Rt. Rev. Barbara C. Harris will be held virtually in the coming days around the church. Read more here.
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Upcoming Services
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March 14, 10:15 am - Morning Prayer on Zoom
- March 17, 7:00 pm - Lenten Compline
- March 21, 10:15 am - Holy Eucharist on Zoom with distribution in the St. Mary's parking lot
- We will pray the Prayer for Spiritual Communion with all those who are unable to join us in the parking lot.
- At the end of the Zoom service you will be invited to travel to the St. Andrew's parking lot to receive communion. Please remain in your car when you arrive. We will give everyone 45 minutes to gather in the parking lot.
- If you would like to join us for only the parking lot portion of the service, plan to arrive at St. Mary's at about noon.
You can join all of our Zoom services by video on your computer, tablet, or smartphone by clicking the link below, or by any phone by calling the number below. When you join the Zoom call you will be placed in a waiting room. You will be admitted from the waiting room as you join us.
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Readings for the Fourth Sunday in Lent
March 14, 2021
Hebrew Scripture: Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm: Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
New Testament: Ephesians 2:1-10
Gospel: John 3:14-21
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Worship Serving Schedule
March 14: Morning Prayer
Lector: Betty Stolarek
Intercessor: Pat Foster
March 21: Holy Eucharist
Reader: Diane Wilson
Intercessor: Isabel Kempton
March 28: Holy Eucharist
Reader: Mark Lauzon
Intercessor: Jerry Hoekwater
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Durable Medical Equipment Lending Pantry Schedule
March 15: Diane Wilson and Jerry Hoekwater
March 18: Nancy and Pat Foster
March 22: Anita Hunt, Mike Paulin
March 25: George Dodd, One person needed
March 29: George Dodd, One person needed
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Special Guidelines for Service and Outreach Ministries:
- Distributions are permitted only for outdoor, curbside delivery. No guest may enter the building at any time.
- There must be no more than ten volunteers inside the building at a time.
- All volunteers must wear masks and maintain six feet of physical distancing between households.
There are two conditions we must meet in order to return to indoor, in-person services. First, the diocese must move us back into Phase 2 of the Plan for Re-Entry. Second, we must meet the conditions of our parish plan for re-entry, which requires that our county have no more than nine daily new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people. The bishops of Michigan continue to meet regularly to asses the Plan for Re-Entry.
Effective March 8, outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people are permitted. “Outdoors” means open-air (not enclosed structures). Masks and distancing continue to be required at all times, both indoors and outdoors, and a log must be maintained in case of needed contract tracing.
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Contributions are welcome!
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If you would like to submit something for the e-newsletter, please email it to Mtr. Radha (rector.cmec@gmail.com) by Tuesday of that week.
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