3/28/2020: LINKS TO LATEST NEWS about COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic
Fr. David’s blog of 3/27/2020: How We Do Church in the Age of COVID-19
Fr. David’s blog of 3/20/2020: SsAM Continues During State of Emergency
Video Streaming Church Services
7:00 a.m. Morning Prayer, every day, Monday through Sunday.
Fr. David will offer the service of Morning Prayer on Facebook Live. You may follow the service with a copy of the Book of Common Prayer or download it at www.bcponline.org. You may also Google other online prayer book resources.
10:00 a.m. Worship Service, Sunday, March 29
Live streaming a celebration of the Holy Eucharist from SsAM. Click here to visit our Facebook page.
You do not need Facebook account to access the service. Information can be found at: http://delaware.church/how-to-link-to-a-facebook-live-video/.
Click here to download the Sunday worship leaflet.
I also encourage you to look at what other Episcopal parishes are offering for daily prayer services. You may do this on Facebook. I know that St. Peter’s in Lewes offers daily evening prayer and they have included our offer of morning prayer. Trinity Episcopal Parish in Wilmington is offering the beautiful service of Compline at 7:00 on their Facebook page.
Staying Connected With One Another During This Time:
Connections are vitally important at this critical time. A group of parishioners are in contact with our shut in community by phone. Our shut in population is at the most risk at this time and they are being cared for. Each week they receive a package in the mail from SsAM to help them stay connected. Bishop Brown is encouraging that we find a way to stay connected with everyone in the parish. To that end I sent a video message to the leaders of various ministries such as the choir, altar guild, acolytes, vestry, ushers and property to name a few. I have asked these leaders to be in touch with their members and then encourage members of each of these ministries to be in touch with one another via phone or email.
Fulfilling Your Pledge At This Time
During this difficult time your financial pledge is very important and I wish to encourage you to keep your pledge up to date. I realize that the closing of businesses has and will cause a financial hardship and it is important that you take care of your families and loved ones. If you already are having your pledge debited from your bank account this will continue. If you usually place your offering in the collection plate, please send your pledge to SsAM in the mail. If you would like to make a pledge you may also do so. You may also donate using a credit card through the SsAM website — CLICK HERE. These are challenging times for many in the City of Wilmington and if you would like to give to the Rector’s discretionary account so that I might help this at risk population you may also send a check to the rector’s discretionary account.
Pray Without Ceasing
Take time each day to be still and to know God. There are wonderful resources to help center during this time. You may visit the blog of our own Christina Brennan Lee at http://prayersofthepeople.blogspot.com as well as the wonderful and timely photo prayers by Danny Schweers at www.photoprayer.com. Our meditation and centering prayer ministry will be meeting virtually during this time. If you would like to join on Zoom please contact us and include meditation in the subject line.
At the moment we are open and serving our community by offering our public rest room and Friendship House continues to provide support daily from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. They will be modifying the Sunday breakfast by providing hardboiled eggs and coffee.
About COVID-19 and the Coronavirus Pandemic
When contagious diseases are spreading, the warm, even joyous pleasure of being in each other’s company is at odds with our desire to protect ourselves by avoiding crowds. Here are some common-sense guidelines as put forward by the Centers of Disease Control in response to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Coronavius Disease 2019:
- Stay home when you are sick or have been in close contact with those who are sick, except to get medical care.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick unless you are caring for them, then you should stay at home as well.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
COVID-19 patients often have shortness of breath, even severe respiratory difficulties, a symptom not commonly associated with the flu. COVID-19 also has some of the same symptoms as the flu: fever, fatigue, body aches, and cough. Symptoms can vary; only medical professionals can diagnose with any accuracy. If you are sick or are in close contact with someone who is sick, stay at home except to get medical care.
Recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center
Prayers
For the Sick
Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve those who are sick, and give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs. May they be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (modified BCP 260)
For Doctors and Nurses
Sanctify, O Lord, those whom you have called to the study and practice of the arts of healing, and to the prevention of disease and pain. Strengthen them by your life-giving Spirit, that by their ministries the health of the community may be promoted and your creation glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP 460)
For People Facing Uncertainty
God of the present moment, God who in Jesus stills the storm and soothes the frantic heart; bring hope and courage to us all as we wait in uncertainty. Bring hope that you will make us the equal of whatever lies ahead. Bring us courage to endure what cannot be avoided, for your will is health and wholeness; you are God, and we need you.” (excerpt from: “A New Zealand Prayer Book.”)
About the Photo
In the photo above, we see Calec Perez Cruz being blessed by military veterans on the day before he was to report for duty, him having just joined the U.S. Army. This was in late February of 2020, just weeks before a state of emergency was declared. It was a touching moment! Click the photo to see it larger.
Click here to see other recent photographs of the SsAM congregation.