On Friday afternoon I received an email from Bishop Shannon releasing us (along with the rest of the diocese) from diocesan COVID-19 restrictions. This was, of course, in response to the Governor’s announcement on Monday that 80% of Vermonters have received their first shot and essentially all the state restrictions are being lifted. Shannon asks only that we mask while singing, that we not drink from a common cup, and that we continue to act and plan in ways that bear witness to our care for one another.

This last consideration invites some thought! As I walked around in public spaces after reading her email, I saw a mix of the unmasked and the masked. Presumably some people wear masks because they’re unvaccinated, or because family members are, or just because they’re not ready to feel comfortable being in public without that protection. St. Paul talks a lot about how we should put one another’s concerns above our own, and church feels like the place we should bear witness to that commitment.

So, here’s how I’d like to see our gathering tomorrow work:

First, Come one, come all! You don’t need to make reservations to attend church tomorrow, and you don’t need to sit on a “please sit here” sign. The truth is, people naturally give each other some distance when they sit in church, except on the most crowded of occasions. Our windows will all be open, and our fans on. We’ll keep the service on the brief side. And in the unlikely event it’s really, really crowded, please see the next point:

Second, please bring a mask. Wear it when you’re singing or speaking loudly, or if you think the people sitting near to you would appreciate it (especially if they’re wearing masks), or if you’d just feel better wearing one. Please remember there are unvaccinated people in our parish, and err on the side of generous care.

Third, although we won’t be drinking from a common cup, I would like to resume offering Eucharist in both kinds. So, if you’d like to receive wine at Communion, please bring a small cup with you — the way we did at Pentecost — and we’ll pour a small amount into it at the appropriate moment.

Fourth, while we won’t have an official Coffee Hour tomorrow, please feel free to mingle after church, especially outside. I’ll pick up some Muchkins at Dunkin Donuts, just to signal we’re turning the corner.

Finally, don’t forget Zoom. Our Sunday mornings are hybrid congregations: in person and on-line. I’ll send out the usual invitation tomorrow morning and  you can sign on the way we have for the last year and a half. In fact, we need a reader tomorrow from our Zoom congregation, so please let me know if you’re planning to join that way.

Most of all, please let us know how you’re feeling about this! The Vestry is meeting on Tuesday, and I’m sure we’ll talk about all it. You can email me or one of them and we’ll present your point of view, with or without your name attached. If you’d like to attend the Vestry meeting in person, you’re very welcome: just use the same link we use on Sunday morning to join the Zoom meeting at 5 on Tuesday.

We’re not asserting our rights to gather here, we’re accepting an invitation to spend some time living together in the light of God’s love. Please, please, please let us know if there’s anything we can do to make sure you feel comfortable here!