It could be said that bishops order the body of Christ, priests gather the body of Christ in worship, and deacons send out the body of Christ to love and serve. Whatever our roles, we all are and remain the body of Christ. Our bishop has asked that we cease gathering together as members of that body while the our larger body is being assaulted by the COVID-19 virus. The best information we are getting and the best way to care for our whole body’s immunity and health is not to put ourselves in harm’s way, either as ones susceptible to infection or possible transmitters of disease. Thus, we will be cancelling our gatherings where we cannot ensure we are promoting health and well-being. In our time, part of our gospel calling to ministry is to do what we can to blunt the expansion of this virus and stay well ourselves.

At this point, we will continue small group classes where we can ensure our environment is disinfected, attendees are healthy, and we are able to maintain adequate distance from one another. We will not share food, drink, or utensils. We will not come into contact with one another.

Sunday public services of worship at 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 1 p.m. will be discontinued, as will Godly Play and Discovery Classes for the next two weeks and until further notice.

The Spring Equinox liturgy set for March 19 is cancelled, although we plan to use the planning and resources already expended for the upcoming Summer Solstice on Friday, June 19th.

Last year, in the aftermath of our sacristy fire, we were dislocated as a body; we worshipped outdoors and in our chapel, and we served without use of our church building. Many of us discovered ourselves and one another anew as a body. We discovered that we are the church.

While our primary gatherings are cancelled, this is an especially important time to be the body of Christ. I look forward to the creative ways our body will find to do that in ways that promote health. You will likely be receiving more frequent online messaging as this new work unfolds.

One of the chief roles of a Cathedral church, in addition to being the seat of the bishop, is to be the gathering place for visitors and the whole church. Since we do not have time to set up virtual liturgies between now and Sunday, please consider attending our St. Mark’s Cathedral 11 a.m. liturgy virtually (there will be no “in-person” service).

The Daily Offices of Morning and Evening Prayer are a traditional form of daily prayer. You may discover this resource for yourself or your household virtually.

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions, comments, pastoral needs, or resources to share at kevindavidpearson@gmail.com.

Yours as part of our one body,

Fr. Kevin