Dear Friend,
The diocese announced the shift back to Phase 2 of the Plan for Re-Entry on Monday.
They write: "It’s been a little over a year since we first entered our directives around COVID-19 and all congregations across the state were prohibited from in-person gatherings for the first time in a century. While very few of us anticipated we would still be in a pandemic a year later, we feel very glad to be able to announce that we will re-enter Phase 2 of our directives on Monday, March 22, 2021. The first in-person Sunday services may take place on Palm Sunday, March 28th.
Last month, we communicated a metric that would trigger the process of reopening and just last Monday, announced the provision of outdoor gatherings. In light of last week's new information produced by the CDC and the news that all Michigan adults will be eligible to receive the vaccine by April 5, the state-wide group has reconsidered this metric. We’ve said this all along - these decisions are made based on the available science and current realities. With this new information from the CDC and the rapidly increasing rate of vaccinations, we feel comfortable moving forward into Phase 2 sooner than expected with the knowledge that our Phase 2 precautions are effective and that we trust you, our congregational leadership, to make appropriate decisions for your population within the Phase 2 guidelines. Acknowledging the frustration of changed plans, we are hopeful that this will be welcome news.
As a reminder, the following is included under Phase 2:
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Masks are required at all times, for both indoor and outdoor gatherings, (regardless of vaccination status).
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Regular cleaning, according to the current CDC standards.
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In-person gatherings are permitted with capacity at 25% of your room capacity, or the maximum number of people for your space while maintaining 6 feet of distancing between households.
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Outdoor gatherings are permitted with capacity based on the current state restrictions. At this time, this number is capped at 300.
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In-person Holy Eucharist is permitted strictly according to the processes outlined on page 10.
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A contact log is required for all persons entering your building in case of contact tracing.
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Food or beverages are not allowed as part of any gathering.
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Food preparation is not allowed inside the building unless you have received explicit permission from the Standing Committee for your service ministry.
Please review the detailed Plan for Re-Entry for Great Lakes Episcopalians for much more detail as well as other requirements and recommendations not mentioned here. Phase 2 begins on page 7."
So what does this mean for us? Both of our parishes must continue to follow our church policies that our vestries created in the Fall. You can read the current policy for St. Andrew's here and the current policy for St. Mary's here. The St. Andrew's vestry eased the restrictions for outdoor gatherings at their vestry meeting this week. St. Andrew's can now meet outdoors as long as the daily number of new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people is below 20. The St. Mary's vestry will also be reviewing their policy for re-opening.
This means that are move back to in person worship will happen in stages at both parishes. I will be closely watching the rates of Covid cases in both of our counties. My goal, and the goal of your vestries, is to keep every single member of our churches and our visitors as safe as possible. Our church buildings will begin reopening to visitors and I will resume regular in person office hours in the next few weeks.
Our service for Easter will in in-person and outdoors as a Covenant. It will take place at 10:15 am at Westerburg park in Reed City. I cannot wait to be with you all in person! 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.
If you have any questions about these changes, please reach out to me. I am thankful for your continued presence and flexibility.
In Christ,
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Pick up your Palms for Palm Sunday
Palms will be available next week so that you can wave them during our online service for Palm Sunday or make your palm crosses at home.
Pick up at St. Mary's: Monday, March 23 and Thursday, March 25, noon-2 pm
Pick up at St. Andrew's: Thursday, March 25, 5-7pm
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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, depending on the the number of Covid cases in Mecosta county next week and on the weather forecast. That decision will be made on March 24.
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!
- Bring your own chair.
- Masks are required at all times.
- 6 feet of distance must be maintained between all households.
- No restroom access will be available.
- This service will take place no matter the weather. Please use your own judgement about attending if there is inclement weather.
Westerburg Park
S Roth St
Reed City, MI 49677
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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 Begins Feast Day Series
with St. Joseph
Regular teaching on the major feast days of the church calendar
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Upcoming Services
- February 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. Mary'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.
- March 24, 7:00 pm - Lenten Compline
- February 28, 10:15 am - Palm Sunday - Holy Eucharist
- The plans for the format and location will be sent out on March 24.
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 Fifth Sunday in Lent
March 21, 2021
Hebrew Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm: Psalm 51:1-13
New Testament: Hebrews 5:5-10
Gospel: John 12:20-33
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Worship Serving Schedule
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 22: Anita Hunt, Mike Paulin
March 25: George Dodd, One person needed
March 29: George Dodd, One person needed
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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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