August, 12, 2021
August 12, 2021,
This reflection refers to new guidelines for worship. I know it is long but please read it carefully.
Dear friends in Christ,
Last week the Diocese issued new worship guidelines based on the impact of the Delta variant and rising numbers of coronavirus infections. Saint Anna’s was already following most of these new guidelines – we were already wearing masks inside regardless of vaccination status and maintaining social distance, and based on the new recommendations the musicians will no longer remove their masks to sing and Rev. Jane will only remove hers when it is necessary for people to hear her clearly and she is socially distanced from the congregation. On Wednesday the Saint Anna’s regathering committee met to discuss the question of requiring proof of vaccination under these new guidelines.
PROOF OF VACCINATION:
As of right now requiring proof of vaccination is recommended but not mandated. There is biblical precedent for something that benefits the community like this. Throughout scripture God instructs God’s people to take special care of the weak and the vulnerable, and to act for the good of the community rather than for individual benefit. When asked what the most important commandment was Jesus responded,
“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Everything our scripture tells us about God in is summed up in these few sentences. Everything we do as people and a community of faith should reflect these two things – love God and love our neighbor.
Right now there is no better way to love our neighbors than by making sure we are vaccinated and wearing masks when in public. We do this not only for our own protection but for the protection of those we come into contact with, especially the weakest most vulnerable – children and those who for health reasons cannot be vaccinated. Despite this the regathering task force was conflicted on this issue for several reasons - our reluctance to create barriers to worship for anyone, and our desire not to discriminate or exclude people. We decided that for now we will not require proof of vaccination. Our decision was made easier by the fact that we do not think this applies to many people in our congregation, and right now we feel that unvaccinated people do not pose significantly more risk than vaccinated people as long as we all stay masked, as it seems that even vaccinated people can get infected and carry a high enough viral load to infect others, usually while asymptomatic. We do pledge to encourage and if necessary help people to get vaccinated.
We realize our position may have to change over the next few weeks. Just today the City of San Francisco issued a mandate requiring people eating out in restaurants and attending public functions to provide proof of vaccination. For that reason we are asking if you are willing to provide us with proof of vaccination anyway so that if we do have to take this step we are prepared and won’t have to turn people away on Sundays (God forbid!). We will note that we have seen it but will not keep a copy.
HOSPITALTY
The regathering task force also wrestled with the problem of whether to continue hospitality. We have decided that it is too risky to have people unmasked in the parish hall and so we will offer coffee and water and a prepacked snack outside in the courtyard after worship.
WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF POOR AIR QUALITY
Our discussion raised another question unrelated to COVID. Under the guidelines we are required to keep all windows and doors open while we are inside. However, recently the Air Quality Index (AQI) has been dangerously high on several occasions in East County, and we wondered how to respond if that happens on a Sunday morning. We did not feel comfortable ignoring the guidelines and closing windows in the event of a dangerously high AQI. In the event that happens on a Sunday morning we will have no choice but to cancel in person worship and only worship on zoom for that morning. We recognize let ting people know at the last minute is complicated and inconvenient, so we have created a system to make it as easy as possible. If we decide to cancel church at the last minute we will send an email to everyone by 8:30 AM that morning, and will make phone calls to those who do not use email. We will also post the information on our website and put a sing o the door to the church. You can help make this system work by checking your email or the website before you come to church, especially if you have cause to think the AQI might be high. The zoom link will be available through the weekly email as always, and on the website.
It is frustrating and a little discouraging that we are once more having to pivot every few days after a period of relative stability and reasonable certainty. Our only concern is making worship as accessible and safe for everyone. If you have any questions about any of this this please contact me.
To send your proof of vaccination please take a photo of it and email that photo to info@saintannas.org, or bring it with you to church and show it to the greeter.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Jane +