Tuesday update – March 17, 2020

Dear Members of St. Paul’s,

 

On Sunday, as I stood below the memorial stone of James Lloyd Breck – our rector from the 1860’s – I wondered if he ever imagined that his name, etched in marble, would be beamed into our living rooms, breakfast nooks, and even the palms of our hands. Last Sunday was a historic day for St. Paul’s. It was also a hard day. And an awesome day! Thanks to you all for making it so.

 

Now, God calls us continue the work of defining ourselves as a church that doesn’t go to church. Like last Sunday’s worship, this will be both hard and awesome. Even now, at the beginning of this pandemic and in the midst of our anxiety and sadness, silver linings are emerging. Opportunities for partnership and collaboration, spreading the Gospel, and serving one another in Christ are budding – God can be such a show-off!

 

Going forward, we will send a weekly Email on Tuesdays with updates about our response to COVID-19. Our Friday Emails, with announcements and resources geared towards Sunday Worship, will also continue.

 

In the meantime, take good care of yourselves – wash your hands, stream a silly movie, dig in your garden, or pick up the phone and call a senior to say hi.

 

Blessings,

 

Rev. Annie

 

St. Paul’s Church COVID-19 Response Updates

 

As of 3/17/2020:

 

  • Until further notice, in-person Sunday worship is cancelled.
  • Live-streamed services take place on Sundays at 10:00 am via Facebook live. Visit https://www.facebook.com/stpaulsbenicia/ to view.
    • (Note: this is a different page from our church’s private group. If you see a banner at the top that says “Join us here for online worship!” you’re in the right place).
  • The community meal is still happening with take-out only.
  • Ministry and other church-related meetings may continue via Zoom.
  • Use of church buildings by outside groups has been limited to 12-step groups following social distancing and sanitizing protocols. Contact the meeting Secretary to see if it’s still being held.
  • The church office is CLOSED; you may contact us via phone from 9am-3pm or by Email. Call or Text Rev. Annie’s cell phone with pastoral emergencies.

 

If Solano County orders us to shelter-in-place, all the above will be in place with the following changes:

  • All in-person 12-step meetings will be cancelled.
  • Hours of phone availability may change.
  • The community meal WILL continue as take-out.

 

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The Rev. Annie Pierpoint Mertz

Rector