What ultimately kept us from canceling was recognizing the need that people have for human interaction — even if virtual is the best we can do. 

Churches throughout the Diocese are reaching out actively to their communities during COVID-19. A variety of churches report that partnerships with the community, which seemed nearly impossible just a few months ago, are now forming easily as all embrace the common theme of “together, we can beat this.”

The number of viewers is far exceeding the typical Sunday morning attendance. This is attributed most likely to parishioners inviting friends, families, and neighbors to participated online.

We are encouraged that we will come through this stronger and closer than we were before COVID-19 hit us. We had the advantage of having worked hard at relationship-building before all of this, but now is always the best time to start these kinds of community relationships.

All ages will be treated to what has become an annual blessing and tradition for the children of All Saints’ Church, the Seder Meal teaching!

On behalf of Archbishop Foley, I am writing to let you know that he and I have asked both Canon David Roseberry and Canon Phil Ashey to collect, create, and curate resources from around the church to help all of our congregations through this time. 

We could feel [our rector’s] presence. And I began to feel I was receiving what I needed spiritually and emotionally. The sense of being with her came up.

The Rev. Erin Bair propped up her laptop on a stack of cookbooks a few feet away. The impromptu additions achieved their purpose. She was now eye-level with her computer’s camera once she sat down in her arm chair at her Arlington home to begin speaking.

View all of the Diocese articles related to COVID-19 here.

Fishing with the gospel is a good thing. But, how do you fish during a global pandemic?

Some suggestions for the hunt: spoon, Bible, toilet paper, pillow, grass, remote control, family photo, deodorant, ketchup, socks, etc. The idea is to get them moving and in different parts of their house. 

Rainy days with active kids are especially difficult when families cannot venture out to a local indoor playground or movie theater. However, Truro offered families a fun distraction … singing silly songs together!

After live-streaming on Vimeo a virtual coffee-hour will be hosted on Zoom. How will everyone sip and chat at the same time?

Resurrection makes sure parishioners are prepared with a checklist (printed bulletin, Sunday school book, items for Eucharist); detailed Zoom instructions (links for all types of devices and alternate methods for joining without a computer); and tips for a better Zoom experience:

Church of the Apostles will be coming together online for daily times of prayer, teaching, reflection, and devotion.

Winchester Anglican’s Ralph Medina is not only a talented artist and great with technology, but he offers a valuable and encouraging message from Mark 4 that all ages will find comforting and everyone will want to watch!

So much has changed in the two weeks since I first wrote to the Diocese about the COVID-19 virus. Most of us are staying home and we watch the news in amazement at the dramatic changes unfolding around us. 

An important update and announcement from Archbishop Beach on behalf of the College of Bishops.

Times of trial can also present evidence of spiritual formation.

Please come virtually to the first ever welcome brunch for the Franconia-Springfield Mission!