Join us this Sunday after the 10am service for a Zoom Coffee Hour
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4757202204
The last Sunday of March is, of course, Palm Sunday. And, as you may have heard, we’ve rented a large tent for the parking lot for a COVID-Safe Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.
We are trying to think through every detail so that as many people as possible might feel safe enough to come together. So, while we still have a month of planning ahead of us, I wanted to give a brief rundown on the plans as they are right now.
- We’ve rented a 30x60 tent. The tent does not have “walls” so it will have maximum airflow.
- We’re also busy finding other smaller tents, to go around the larger one, so that we can fit even more people around.
- People are obviously welcome to bring their own chairs and, weather permitting, sit in the Memorial Garden, or on the rectory patio to be even further away from people if that makes them more comfortable.
- Everyone will still need to be socially distanced and masked, and everyone who is attending will still need to pre-register.
- The bulletins will be distributed electronically—and there will be the usual QR codes and NFC chips around to make that easier.
- The current guidance says that if people are socially distant, masked, and outdoors—that limited singing is allowed. SO, we’re going to be able to sing some hymns! The band will be playing on Palm Sunday, and Mike and some brass will be leading the music on Easter.
- We’re working out the parking situation, and we’re getting some wheelchairs to help people with mobility issues to get from a drop-off point to their seat.
- Communion will be offered to those who’d like to partake, but if people don’t feel comfortable with that, the prayer for “spiritual communion” will still be offered.
- And, we are going to still broadcast it on YouTube and Facebook for those who are unable to come in person.
I am really, really excited about this, and the opportunity that this might afford us to be able to come together on our most Holy Days. If you have any questions, or any ideas on how we could make this safer for you and your family, please don’t hesitate to let me know.
Peace,
Fr Rick