Letter from Bishop LeMarquand and the Standing Committee - Materials for Planning your Congregation's Regathering
May 20, 2020
Dear ADGL Clergy and Leaders,
Greetings in the name of Jesus!
As you know, various states and locales are beginning to ease up restrictions around the coronavirus. Many of you are beginning to anticipate meeting again for public worship.
As we mentioned in our last letter, we are still strongly recommending and asking that all congregations in the ADGL continue to suspend in person public worship for the foreseeable future. However, we know that a time is coming when we can begin to anticipate gathering again. To assist you in your planning for the possibility of holding public worship we are sending the attached packet of materials. The documents include guidelines for what to do when regathering and tools to help you design plans for gathering again.
Before each of our congregations answer when we meet, we need to answer why and how we plan to meet. To that end, we are asking that every parish do three things:
Make a detailed written plan for why and how you intend to reopen.
Design the plan in conjunction with your Vestry.
Share your plan with your area dean.
Our hope is that by following these steps congregations will regather in a careful and thoughtful manner.
All of our parishes are unique and will require different steps to reopen, however, we want to ensure that all of us are well prepared and equipped to move forward as we are released to gather for public worship.
Thank you for all the work you do and thank you for your attentiveness to these important matters.
Yours Together in Christ,
The Standing Committee and Temporary Bishop Anglican Diocese of the Great Lakes
The Very Rev. Mark A. Engel, ChairMr. Tom Fields The Very Rev. Peter MatthewsDr. I. Richmond Nettey The Rev. Canon Dr. Kathleen RankinMr. Bob Raun
Let us join Archbishop Foley Beach in Prayer
Almighty God, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ went about doing good, and healing all manner of sickness and disease among the people: Continue in our hospitals and research centers his gracious work among us especially those ministering to people affected by the novel coronavirus; console and heal the sick; grant to the researchers, physicians, nurses, and assisting staff wisdom and skill, diligence and patience; prosper their work, O Lord, and send down your blessing upon all who serve the suffering; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty and immortal God, giver of life and health: We implore in your mercy to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus; healing for all infected by the novel coronavirus, that by your blessing upon them and upon those who minister to them with your healing gifts, they may be restored to health of body and mind, according to your gracious will, and may give thanks to you in your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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