March 12, 2020
My Dear Cathedral Family,
The current reality of this global pandemic (COVID-19) is one that changes hourly at times and reveals how it is rapidly impacting our lives.
A few weeks ago, I shared several temporary liturgical practices that we immediately incorporated, to foster healthy interactions at our Cathedral during what is now named a pandemic. As noted, we continue to review these practices as the situation evolves. Like many of you, I have been monitoring the changing landscape of the coronavirus and its impact in Connecticut and around our country and the world.
As your dean, I have been and will continue to be in communication with our Diocesan Bishop, Cathedral clergy, lay leaders, and partners of our Cathedral regarding how best to respond to the realities of COVID-19. We’re called by our gospel to be present as a Christian community to one another and the world, which seems to contradict the prescriptions for healthy living to exercise social distancing and mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.
I am keenly aware how our community appreciates our corporate worship and time of fellowship. And while it saddens me to inform you that, effectively immediately, we will cancel all in-person worship services and all other gatherings within our Cathedral communities until our joint bilingual Palm Sunday Service on April 5, 9:30 a.m.
Please see details below;
Sunday Worship:
We will be offering the following services online on Sundays March 15, 22 and 29:
§ 10:00 a.m. - Morning Prayer (English) with Dwelling in the Word
§ 11:00 a.m. - Morning Prayer (Spanish) with Dwelling in the Word (Oracion Matutina)
For those participating in the Lenten Series, I will offer a virtual space for our gatherings for Sunday March 15 and March 22 at 12:30 p.m.
Please see detailed information below on how to connect via Zoom Video Conferencing to participate in our common life virtually as we seek to stay connected in prayer and worship. It may feel difficult, but be patient with yourself. Connecting, via the Zoom online application is easy to do. If you would like guidance, please let me know.
Also note:
§ Clergy and lay leaders will make pastoral phone calls on a regular basis.
§ Church Street Eats leaders are prepared to provide a bagged lunch for our guests during this time of social distancing . We hope to resume our CSE regular operations in April.
§ Church By the Pond will gather to distribute bagged lunches; however, note that there will not be a CBTP service until April.
Our Cathedral staff will maintain their regular working hours, serving remotely from home. Please do not hesitate to contact our clergy and lay staff during this time. We will continue to meet with each other on a regular basis and hold office hours as regularly scheduled. We are here to serve and support you.
I will continue to monitor the crisis and heed to the advice and directives of our bishops and health authorities. We will adapt, together, as things evolve.
Equally important, let’s commit to joining our prayers together and pray for those directly impacted by this pandemic and for those of us making decisions that impact others. In invite you to regularly check on one another and let your clergy know if you would like to engage in virtual prayer.
In particular, this is a time when we are invited to live into the way of love, move away from selfish desires and seek the common good. This is the way of Jesus, and sometimes Jesus invites us to be steadfast and courageous.
Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me, Canon Jorge or Deacon Bonnie. Our contact information is included in this e-news edition.
Blessings,
Lina
The Very Rev. Miguelina Howell
Please click link below to read a thoughtful pastoral letter from our Bishops