Concerning Coronavirus

Pastoral Letter to Holy Trinity Parish

concerning Coronavirus/Covid-19

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​Greetings Holy Trinity family,
 
Much has transpired in the last 48 hours regarding the coronavirus outbreak which is affecting the entire world: travel bans have been imposed by our President, certain areas of the country are on increased lockdown, several area universities (Michigan State, University of Michigan, Purdue University, among others) have announced they are switching their instruction to online rather than allowing students to return from spring break. Our own Hillsdale College has pushed back the start of classes after spring break from this Monday to the following Wednesday to allow professors time to move their courses to online delivery to accommodate students who don’t want to return, though as yet we expect most students will come back. In some cases, even some churches have postponed their services, or offered dramatic changes to how they are offered. Cardinal Dolan recently put a rapid stop to the passing of the peace at a Mass at which he was presiding!
 
All of these developments are rather worrisome for many. Here is what I suggest as your pastor:

1. If you are feeling concerned, I encourage you above all to take your anxieties to God in prayer. He alone makes us to dwell in safety.
2. In addition, the best source of information about the virus is not presently the news media or your favorite YouTuber or blogger; please pay close attention to the announcements of actual health authorities (the CDC, WHO, etc), and avoid ingesting or spreading false information.
3. If you are unsure what to believe, or if you feel at risk of illness, go see your doctor without delay.
4. Finally, if you are part of an ask-risk demographic for serious complications from the virus, you are encouraged to take whatever precautions you think best for you and your family. If this means missing church, then so be it. BUT if you do absent yourself on Sunday, I highly exhort you to gather your family on Sunday morning and pray Morning Prayer from the prayer book together, being especially mindful to offer up the Collect in a Time of Great Sickness on page 45. The Litany also, with the Supplication included (pages 54-59) has traditionally been used in churches during times of great anxiety, and may be appended to the end of Morning or Evening Prayer. I commend it to you.

 
Here are some of the things Holy Trinity is doing about the virus:

1. We will NOT be cancelling any of our normal services. It seems pastorally unwise to remove the people’s recourse to worship even during times of sickness. Expect our services to continue as normal, but if you do not feel well or you are concerned about getting sick, you are welcome to stay home and worship privately.
2. We are attempting to procure supplies of hand sanitizer to distribute in the pews, though supplies have been a little hard to come by. At the very least, a couple large dispensers will be available at the front entrance of the nave. Please avail yourself of them.
3. The clergy likewise will be making use of hand sanitizer (from the altar) during the distribution of Holy Communion.
4. Holy Communion will be administered like normal; folks who are feeling unwell or who are concerned about getting sick are invited to take Communion in one kind (that is, just the bread) for the time being. Be assured of the full benefit of the sacrament in this mode of partaking.
5. During the administration of Holy Communion, PLEASE DO NOT INTINCT THE WAFERS YOURSELF. If you would like your bread dipped in the wine, please permit the server to dip it for you and place it directly on your tongue. Our servers will no longer allow you to intinct yourself for the time being.

 
Further, please consult these recent guidelines from our diocese and national church:

• A letter from our Bishop, Julian Dobbs.
• A letter from our Archbishop, Foley Beach. 

​If you miss church and would like a pastoral visitation, with or without Communion, please reach out to me or Fr. Tim.
 
Offer yourselves to God, and he will care for you. Peace be with you, friends.
 
Blessings in Jesus,
Adam+
 
Rev. Adam D. Rick, Th.M.
Rector, Holy Trinity Parish