EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF EASTERN OREGON — June 2020
As followers of Jesus, we are working toward the practice of
unconditional love through the values of:
– Human Dignity – Creation Care -Spiritual Formation
From the Bishop
Concerning Physical Gatherings in the Diocese
Good Day Dear People of Eastern Oregon:
I greet you in the peace and grace of the Loving, Liberating, Life Giving God. My daily prayers for you all during these last few months have been conjoined with a deep gratitude for your forbearance, your fortitude, and your attention to one another during this extraordinary time.
And I thank you now for openness to the Spirit moving in us to address the issues of racism which so deeply affect our siblings. I am filled with hope that we are in a time of positive change, even though there is yet much to be done. May God be with us to be a part of the transformation.
In this time of upheaval, it is so easy to put aside the concerns and awareness of the ongoing threat from the Covid 19 pandemic. I want to strongly encourage us not to forget that at least a thousand of our neighbors are dying daily even yet, and that in the midst of some very positive signs of relief in places, there also are sobering realities in other spots where the ravage of this disease is rampant. The State of Oregon is beginning to implement a cautious process of permission to regather people, even churches, and I know that some of you are anxious to see us participate in this.
I have given this much thought and have met with the Standing Committee this week to seek their counsel on how soon we should move toward opening up our churches to physical gatherings. I am aware in coming to a decision that the national church, under the Presiding Bishop’s leadership, has determined that they will not begin to have any physical gatherings, nor open up the national office, until the end of September. With the consent of our Standing Committee, I have come to the conclusion that we will not open our churches until after Labor Day this September, looking to September 13 at the earliest.
We came to that decision after listening to the clergy who gathered virtually last week, and with the awareness that beginning with the Fourth of July weekend on through the summer, there will be a significant increase of travel throughout Eastern Oregon of tourists, of migrant farm workers (who, by the way, are already experiencing an alarming uptick in infections and deserve our support in communities where they are providing invaluable service) and of those who will be participating in ongoing protests. We just cannot predict what impact all of this will have on our communities, but our primary concern must be the welfare of our people, especially considering the age and vulnerability of so many of our folk, both lay and clergy.
I am fully aware that this may be a disappointment for some, and a matter of relief for others. I ask that we all approach this as a matter of a momentary affliction and recognize that we have endured over three months of separation, and we can do three more. I will continue to monitor the situation as we move through the summer and will keep you advised of any possible alteration of that September date, whether we can open up earlier or must extend it further.
Now having said all of that, let me add that Standing Committee and I have concurred that, being aware of those places within our Diocese where the influx of travelers and the existence of infection are very low, we should allow for exceptions to this Diocesan mandate. We are, after all, Episcopalians, and in good Anglican fashion, we look for some opportunity of middle ground!
So I will be entertaining appeals from clergy leading Congregations, or in their absence, Senior Wardens, for exceptions to allow physical gatherings within the Diocese. Such an appeal must be made in writing to me either by email or my snail mail. The following conditions must be agreed to in order for me to consider the appeal:
- No more than 25 persons per gathering
- Social distancing recommendations will be observed
- Masks are strongly recommended
- The preference will be for outdoor gatherings; if indoor gatherings
are proposed, a seating chart showing social distancing must be included in
the request - NO EUCHARISTS will be allowed for physical gatherings until we come to
the place where restrictions are lifted - No Congregational singing
- No food or drink
- Physical contact must be avoided
- Appropriate disinfecting of space is recommended
I am not one fond of a list of “don’ts”, but I do not know how else to communicate the seriousness of taking steps to regather. I will consider any request for an exception, and if I am in a quandary about any request, I will be asking Standing Committee for their input.
A final note on other types of gatherings. I would advise clergy that any funerals or weddings during the next three months should be approached with the above conditions in mind, and if you have any concerns, please contact me. The question about outside use of our buildings, such as by 12 step groups, has been raised in several places. I leave that decision to the leaders of each Congregation, with obvious support of allowing 12 step meetings especially, because of the significant nature of those gatherings. But I would encourage strict guidelines for use, and an explanation of rationale for doing so made available to Congregants so they might understand why an outside group can meet while we cannot.
We are making available on our Diocesan website helpful and more detailed recommendations from other sources about regathering and the ongoing process of approaching this pandemic. I hope you will take advantage of those instruments. And as always, please do contact me with any questions or concerns.
Peace be with you all,
+Patrick