Return from Diaspora
Dear Trinity friends -
I am delighted to announce that effective June 15, 2021, Bishop John Taylor has given all churches in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles the authority to adopt the CDC’s guidelines as they pertain to worship and church operations.
Quoting from Bishop Taylor’s announcement,
“Under CDC guidelines, fully vaccinated people can resume most of their ordinary activities, including virtually all those associated with worship, fellowship, meetings, teaching, and service at our churches. That means the vaccinated can stop wearing masks and social distancing.
Bishop Taylor goes on to point out that not everyone is vaccinated yet (i.e. young children, adults with certain medical considerations): “We want everyone to know that the person next to them and their family in the pew is safe. Accordingly, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I beseech all (non-vaccinated) adults in our diocese. . . to follow scrupulously the CDC requirement for non-vaccinated people to continue to mask up and socially distance or, if you prefer, to worship remotely.”
Here’s what all that means for Sunday morning worship at Trinity:
Seating capacity restrictions are no longer in effect, therefore you do not need to make reservations for worship.
We will continue to livestream the 10am service via Zoom, and invite you to participate in worship online if/when you’re not able to attend in person.
Distancing restrictions are no longer in effect, so you may enter and exit through either the red doors (State Street or Micheltorena) or the portico doors. Also, seating is open, no pews will be roped off.
Mask wearing is required for those who are not fully vaccinated.
Mask wearing is optional for those who are fully vaccinated.
All vaccinated persons are welcome to sing in church; those participating in choir must be vaccinated. The 1982 Hymnals are back in the pew racks; service music and other hymns not found in our hymnal will be printed in the bulletin. For those participating in worship via Zoom, the hymns will be available on the last couple of pages of the online order of service.
Because everyone, whether vaccinated or not, has a different comfort level in terms of handshakes and hugs, please ask each person their preference as you greet one another before or after the service, or during the Peace. When in doubt, default to a low or no contact greeting (i.e. elbow bump, bow, or a wave).
We will resume our practice of having the ushers pass the offering plates during The Offertory. (Of course, you are welcome to continue giving online.)
Regarding communion, Bishop Taylor advises that, “All those celebrating and serving Holy Communion should be vaccinated. The Presiding Bishop asks that we continue to serve communion in one kind only as he and his colleagues discern the best way to honor our Anglican heritage of the common cup in the shadow of pandemic.”
Because of the placement of the cameras in the sanctuary that enable our worship to be livestreamed, for now, we will continue to distribute communion via "stations" (rather than gathering in a circle around the altar).
Regarding coffee hour, our hospitality team is working on future plans to provide refreshments safely by coffee hour hosts who are fully vaccinated. Please contact Holly Hoffman at hollyhoffman@gmail.com if you’re interested in helping to plan and host coffee hour.
I look forward to seeing your faces in Trinity’s pews, unencumbered by the masks which have served us so well these past many months! Although I won’t be with you at worship on June 20—I’ll be out of town conducting a family wedding in Ohio—I’m happy to address any of your questions (or share in your delight) when I return to Santa Barbara on June 23.
Let me close with these thoughts from Bishop Taylor: “My fellow pilgrims, during these 15 months, you have been magnificent, giving up what you most love about church, sacrificing for the glory of God and the sake of family, friend, and stranger, making every day an Easter Day by helping keep tombs empty. I give thanks for you and for the vaccine, which is enabling our return from exile sooner than many at first expected.
If you are vaccinated, please say so evangelically, and pray that vaccination rates pick up. Also pray for the billions around the world who are still at risk and for leaders of rich nations, especially ours, who have the capacity to vaccinate the world if they so choose.”
Thank you for your continued faith and confidence during this time of Trinity in Diaspora.
Joyfully,
Elizabeth+
The Rev. Elizabeth Molitors, Rector
For the full text of Bishop John Taylor’s June 14th letter, click here.
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For guidance on face coverings, please visit the State of California's Public Health Site.
