Dear Members of Saint Mary’s, Visitors, and Friends,
God’s peace with you as we journey through a difficult and anxious time for our nation and our world. As you know, the number of Corona Virus (COVID-19) cases have been increasing, including the number of cases in Minnesota.
Based on recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), and communications from Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church USA, and Minnesota Bishop Brian Prior, we have decided to close Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church for at least three weeks beginning Saturday March, 14, 2020.
We made this decision in the Spirit of caring for all God’s people and to assist with controlling the spread of the virus by “social distancing”. “Social distancing” means keeping people out of close proximity with each other.
Beginning Saturday, March 14, all worship, programming, and gatherings of any sort at Saint Mary’s are cancelled until further notice. Please don’t access the building during this time. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation on this as we seek to be responsible citizens and to care for each other as the Body of Christ.
So that we can find ways of being in community, Rev. Ramona, and staff members are working on options for using technology (live streaming, podcasts, accessing material on-line, etc.) for worship, and adult, youth, and children’s education. More information will be coming on this in the next week.
The Saint Mary’s Mornings (thoughts and meditations for the day) will continue to go out each weekday. The Weekly will continue to go out each Tuesday morning. We, (Rev. Ramona and the Wardens Jim DeLuca and Caroline Kaker) will do our best to send timely communications to Saint Mary’s members.
For more resources on COVID-19, please see the following information and web-sites:
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough.
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
Center for Disease Control (CDC)
If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact Rev. Ramona by phone or e-mail. 612.201.6634 or revramona@saintmarysepiscopal.org
While we may be physically apart during this time, God’s love and the love we have for each other as a faith community remain with us throughout. Please continue to hold each other and the world in prayer. Let us walk in love as Christ loves us.
Rev. Ramona Scarpace, Priest in Charge
Jim DeLuca, Senior Warden
Caroline Kaker, Junior Warden