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March 15, 2020
Parish Newsletter
Our Response to COVID-19
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Dear Parish Family,
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This morning we held services of Holy Eucharist as scheduled, and we will be holding Candlelight Communion this evening. We are fortunate that the size of our sanctuary balanced with the size of our congregation allows for the kind of social distancing that is acceptable for those who are not already sick or vulnerable.
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As the Bishop of New York has given parishes latitude to make decisions based on their own contexts, it is our hope that amid fear, anxiety, and uncertainty, we can maintain public worship for the time being. Below are some of the additional measures we took in worship this morning and will continue to take in order to stay safe:
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- All worship services are taking place in the nave (the main part of the sanctuary); we will not be using the smaller, side chapel.
- Extra hand sanitizer is offered (and required) – not only at the entrance to the church, but now also at stations near the Communion rail.
- Ushers wear protective gloves.
- We are asking everyone to be mindful of social distancing when finding a seat in the pews and when kneeling at the Communion rail.
- Communion is “in one kind” (host only) at all services of Holy Eucharist; we are not offering wine.
- We are abstaining from physical contact during the Peace and at all other times.
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We are planning to offer live-streaming of the 11:00 a.m. service on Sunday, March 22, for those who cannot be with us in person. If it becomes necessary to close the church next Sunday, this service will still be live-streamed.
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As mentioned in my letter of March 13, we did not have any gatherings or programs in the Parish House today. The following gatherings this week will take place over Zoom video / audio conferencing:
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- Christian Parenting Group, Wednesday, March 18, 9:45 t0 10:45 a.m.
- Confirmation Class, Wednesday, March 18, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
- Vestry meeting, Saturday, March 21, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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The Women’s Group event, originally scheduled for Friday, March 20, is cancelled.
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I want to assure you that physical distance from one another need not affect our spiritual intimacy as the body of Christ and the communion of saints. We must draw one another closer than ever before, especially in prayer, and find new ways of being church. To that end, Rik and I are working on a new, mid-week spiritual offering to bring us together through Zoom, dispersed though we may be.
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I also commend the “buddy call system” to you mentioned in my last letter. Intended for those who would like to be paired with a fellow parishioner, “buddies” will connect with each other by phone once a day to see how the other is faring. We will group pairs together by location and trust this will provide an extra pastoral layer of care throughout our Incarnation community. Please email the Rev. Rik Pike at rpike@
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We are navigating difficult waters, and your parish leadership will continue to do its best to balance proper vigilance with hopeful perspective.
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Peace and continued prayers for good health,
Adrian+
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March 13, 2020
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Dear Parishioners,
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The health and well-being of our community is our top priority, and we continue to monitor advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, the Episcopal Diocese of New York, and government officials.
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Circumstances have been changing rapidly, and we’re aware that any communication might be out of date soon after it has been sent. At this moment, we plan to be open on Sunday, March 15, for our scheduled services at 8:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. We’re also in conversations about video recording or live streaming portions of the Sunday services moving forward.
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We will be cancelling all other Sunday offerings on March 15, including Sunday School and nursery care for children, Adult Bible Study, Coffee Hour, and the forum on Mere Christianity.
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I will be in touch soon about plans for next week and events currently on our church calendar.
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Please pray daily for those who work in our hospitals and nursing homes, and of course for the sick and their families who support them. If you know anyone who is self-isolating at the moment, do pick up the phone to encourage them. Please keep an eye out for your elderly neighbors who may need your practical assistance with shopping or other needs. Let them know you are available to help.
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Along these lines, we are creating a “buddy call system.” Intended for those who would like to be paired with a fellow parishioner, “buddies” will connect with each other by phone once a day to see how the other is faring. We will group pairs together by location and trust this will provide an extra pastoral layer of care throughout our Incarnation community. Please email the Rev. Rik Pike at rpike@churchoftheincarnation.
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As you know, panic is getting tangible in our city. Our calling is to make the love of Christ more tangible still. Jesus said that “perfect love drives out fear,” and we can all play our part in supporting one another through this crisis.
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May the peace of the Lord be with us all – this day and always,
Adrian+
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March 11, 2020
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Dear Friends in Christ,
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Coronavirus activity in New York and around the world continues to evolve and dominate the news. We ask that you join in prayer for those who are concerned for their loved ones, those who are infected, those who are living in great anxiety, and those who are working tirelessly to provide medical care and educate the public.
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Worship is at the heart of all that we do at Incarnation, and over the past two Sundays, I’ve shared some responses to contagion concerns as they relate to our common life. After careful consideration, and in concert with the currently recommended public health practices for New York City, we are adhering to the following guidelines in order to keep our community safe and not be fearful of gathering in God’s name.
If you are well, and able, come to church! As long as you are feeling well and have not been exposed to the virus, then continue to join us in worship.
If you have come into contact with someone infected, or are advised that you may be at risk of contagion, then please self-quarantine for the recommended period (currently 14 days).
If you are ill, please stay home. The most important way to minimize the spread of infections is for people who have symptoms such as fever, difficulty breathing, or coughing, to stay home and seek medical testing / attention as symptoms warrant. Please let me or the church office know if you are ill, as we want to keep you in prayer and offer pastoral care as you recuperate.
When you enter the church or Parish House, please wash your hands or use the hand sanitizer placed near the entrance. Clergy and lay servers will also wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before services and use hand sanitizer before distributing communion.
During the Peace, we encourage you to remain in your pew and greet one another with a wave or a bow. COVID-19 is most effectively transmitted from people’s hands to their faces, so avoiding hand-to-hand contact is an important strategy for inhibiting infection.
Please note these important instructions regarding Communion.
- Those who are concerned may abstain from communion or receive “in one kind” (host only).
- The practice of intinction (dipping the wafer in the wine) is suspended for the time being.
- We are using the silver chalice for Candlelight Communion for additional antimicrobial protection.
Following the service, we encourage conversation in the receiving line but not physical contact (e.g., offering an “elbow bump” or using a hand gesture that precludes touching, rather than a hand shake).
Please be assured that the safety of all who enter Incarnation is our utmost concern. Our sextons are regularly disinfecting common areas, including elevator buttons, counter-tops, doorknobs, and handrails throughout the church and Parish House.
Stay connected to Incarnation virtually, if you cannot join us in person.
- We will post this information, and any subsequent changes to our guidelines, prominently on the homepage of our church website.
- Remember that the Sunday sermon is uploaded on the Sermons Page of the website each Monday. We are also looking into recording other aspects of worship for sharing online.
- For classes and meetings that take place in the Parish House, you will have the option to participate remotely through Zoom, a conferencing service that allows you to join the class / meeting by video or phone. More information on Zoom will appear in this Friday’s e-minder / the website.
- In time, we also will make use of Zoom to create a new spiritual offering that includes Scripture, reflection and prayer. Details will follow soon.
Above all else, remember these words:
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“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” — Isaiah 43:1-3
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Incarnation has a strong tradition of caring for members of our community in times of illness and health. With God’s help, we will continue that tradition together. Not one of us is alone while we have each other. Not one of us is alone because God walks with us.
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Faithfully,
Adrian+
The Rev. Adrian Dannhauser, Interim Priest in Charge