Happy Easter!
As we move through the Easter season, we are attuned to signs of new life and new hope, enhanced by the season of spring that is bringing warmer weather, longer days and more sun. This also seems a good time to make some further changes to our COVID-19 protocols. With the (slowly) coming warmer days, we are able to open windows and doors further to allow fresh air into our buildings, decreasing the risk of the aerosol spread of the virus. Along with the downward trend in COVID-19 case counts, this allows us to make the following changes:
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Worship leaders—including presiders, officiants, readers and intercessors—may remove their facemasks when speaking. A distance of 12 feet (4m) must be maintained from all other persons. If masks are removed while presiding, others may not stand at the altar and the Eucharistic elements must remain covered at all times. (see page 1)
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Choir members and cantors may remove their masks while singing or canting provided that they are at least 12 feet (4m) from any other person. For some choirs, a decision will need to be made whether to have a smaller number of members involved in a service so that they may sing, distanced, without masks or to have a fuller choir and continue to sing with masks (see page 1)
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The common cup may be re-introduced. No person is required to receive in both kinds, receiving either the bread or the wine is a full and valid communion. All parishes are expected to reinstate offering the common cup no later than the end of the Easter season. Requests to further delay offering the common cup are to be sent to Bishop Todd for his consideration.
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Healing services with prayers for healing with laying on of hands and anointing may take place. The contact should be brief, enough time to anoint and to lay on hands for only the length of the ritual prayer. The priest does not need to sanitize hands after each person but must use sanitizer or wash with soap and water after the rite is fully completed. (page 9)
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Food and drink may be offered indoors for hospitality where pastorally desirable and where physical spacing and ventilation permits, using “sit-down at table rules.” All persons must be masked at all times, except when seated to eat or drink. As masks will be removed to eat or drink, seating should be spread out as much as possible and ventilation should be fully maximized. (see page 4)
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Food must be prepared, portioned and served by designated, masked and vaccinated volunteers.
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There is to be no physical gathering around the food – no buffets, pot-lucks, salad bars, or coffee stations – and no one should be “helping themselves”.
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There can be no informal, stand-up receptions or coffee hours at this time. (We will continue to track COVID-19 case counts. If case counts plateau or decrease in the next weeks, informal stand-up receptions and coffee hours may be allowed before the end of May.)
The updated Reopening our Churches Easter Season 2022 can be found here.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to be in touch.
Easter blessings,
Tanya+
The Venerable Tanya Phibbs
Archdeacon of Huron
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