As of March 6, 2022 we have relaxed our masking requirement. Masks must be worn only by those in the church during services and by all choir members when rehearsing. Masks will no longer be required elsewhere on our campus, including hallways, the Gathering Space, Roper Hall, the Parlor and Vestry Room, offices, and all classrooms. Fellowship groups may now begin planning indoor events, Foyer Groups can relaunch, and coffee can be carried around on Sundays.
This change is a direct response to the dramatic decline in cases and hospitalizations, and the CDC’s updated guidance. Schools, businesses, and other organizations around the country are rapidly dropping their mask requirements, and the time is right for us to do so, as well. I am also grateful for all the responses to our survey the past two weeks, which revealed a healthy desire to begin relaxing our policies.
We have chosen to retain the mask-requirement in the church for a few important reasons. When we’re together in the church, we are in relatively close proximity for over an hour, and our services include singing. I also want to honor those who remain cautious in their interactions with others, and who have felt comfortable attending worship because of our mask requirement. We can respect their desire to worship in-person, while relaxing our rules in other parts of our congregational life.
We will reconsider this last remaining mask requirement at the end of the month, and I hope we may be able to remove it before Holy Week. Until then, I humbly ask for your continued patience and cooperation.
Grace and peace be with you all.
