Dear friends,
It seems like yesterday when I last communicated with everyone regarding the spread of the coronavirus in Mississippi.
At that time, we discussed liturgical modifications and safe practices around our churches. Since that time—
· the House of Bishops’ spring meeting, held virtually, was concluded;
· there, and subsequently, the Presiding Bishop offered pastoral guidance and issued several statements concerning the coronavirus;
· the World Health Organization declared that the coronavirus is a pandemic;
· President Trump today declared a national emergency;
· the first case of the coronavirus in Mississippi was reported a day or so ago; as of late this afternoon this has now turned into six confirmed cases of coronavirus.
I, and my staff, have been monitoring these and many other developments over the last week, including information coming from the CDC, the Mississippi Department of Health and other organizations. Forty-eight hours ago, our conversations centered on whether to use the common cup during communion. Today the pace of these developments and announcements seemed to increase exponentially and move in directions I had not foreseen just hours ago. I’ve had conversations today with several of my fellow bishops, and have read statements from others who have decided to suspend public services of worship for two or more weeks.
After much deliberation and prayer, I have decided that all face to face services of public worship in our Mississippi churches shall be suspended beginning tomorrow, March 14, through and including Sunday, March 22. This suspension includes all midweek face to face services of public worship. This is not a decision I make lightly. It is one I believe is justified given the gravity of the circumstances of the moment. Please note that I am not closing our churches; rather, I am acting to protect and promote the health and safety of many of our communicants, and, I hope, to slow the spread of the pandemic in our corner of God’s kingdom.
Worship is central to who we are as Christians who practice their faith in the Episcopal tradition. It breaks my heart to make this decision but, it does give me peace in the hope that we are doing a small part in stopping the spread of this virus.
Yesterday, Presiding Bishop Curry sent an additional message to the bishops saying, “The next 30-60 days at the least are simply going to be unlike anything we have experienced in recent history, even including 9/11. The dilemma of what we know and what we don’t know will continue to complicate our decision making and our lives.”
The Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Mississippi has the opportunity to creatively, positively, and prayerfully respond to this public health crisis. I would encourage our churches to live stream their services on Sunday, or at the very least to provide information on services that their communicants can watch, e.g., National Cathedral, etc. (More information on that front will be forthcoming.)
Now is the time for the clergy and lay members of our diocese to stay in contact with one another via calls, texts, email and prayer. It is time for all of us to offer our prayers for the wellbeing of our people and communities. It is time for us to follow the instructions of our local, state and national leaders so that we might minimize the spread of the virus.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Peace be with you,
+Brian
