Trinity in Diaspora - The Sequel
January 5, 2022
Dear Trinity friends -
In keeping with the values we have honored throughout the COVID pandemic - of respecting science and loving one another by enacting protective measures to eliminate or slow disease transmission - we have decided to pause in-person worship services at Trinity for one month. Beginning with the service to celebrate The Feast of the Epiphany on January 6, and continuing through February 6 (Annual Meeting Sunday), we will be offering online (Zoom) worship only.
While the protocols that the CDC, WHO, and other medical organizations have encouraged throughout the pandemic (mask wearing, distancing, vaccination) have been shown to be effective, the latest variant, Omicron, does not fully respect these measures. And based on the numbers reported by the Santa Barbara Public Health Department, the Omicron ‘surge’ has definitely hit here. So, with an abundance of caution and a desire to protect the most vulnerable, including children who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated, we are taking this action of not gathering in person in order to ride out the Omicron wave safely.
Throughout this time, we will continue to monitor the reports from the health department, the information we get from our parish nurse, Jan Fadden, and recommendations from the bishop’s office and the diocesan Council of advice. During the week of February 6, we will reevaluate based on current conditions, to make sure it is prudent to come back to in person worship on February 13.
Thank you for all you are doing and all you have done to remain faithful to the gospel values of love and service to one another. That you have done this with a spirit of generosity and good humor is something for which I am particularly grateful.
So, recalling the blessing that we used for so many months early in the pandemic,
Remembering that one day we will once again be gathered around our Eucharistic table, stay home and shelter in grace, rejoicing that the light of Christ has entered the world!
In faith and confidence,
Elizabeth+
The Rev. Elizabeth Molitors, Rector
emolitors@trinitysb.org
P.S. My pups, Augie and Frankie, are looking forward to joining in on worship in the coming month. If you hear squeaky noises in the background, just think of that as their AMEN!
