Dear Ones of St. Columba's,

I've been watching the unfolding next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic very closely. The new omicron variant is a concern, and I want to update you on how we will be responding to this in the near future at St. C's. 

First - we will NOT be canceling any of our planned in-person services in the near future. Our 7pm and 10pm services will be offered as planned on Christmas Eve. We will hold in-person worship on Christmas day at 10am, and hold to our usual 9am and 11am Sunday schedule on the day after Christmas Day.  We will ask that everyone 5 and older wear a mask and keep that mask on throughout your time indoors. 

We will not be sharing food (other than Eucharist) indoors this Christmas season. This means the cookie potluck after the 7pm Christmas eve service is canceled. We are hoping to do an outdoor cookie exchange at our Jan 2nd Epiphany and Tree Burning celebration, and will keep you posted. Food is delicious but because it encourages us to remove our masks we will abstain from the cookie potluck, our Ephiphany potluck, and coffee hour until the omicron surge has passed or we know more about how that is going to go. 

We will continue to livestream! You are still a part of us, worshipping with us and essential to our gathering whether you join us in person or online. I cannot stress this enough, sweet friends. There is no expectation or pressure from me, Meghan, or anyone here for you to come in person if you are not comfortable doing so. This is a discernment each person needs to make on their own, and I love and support you in doing what you need to do. You are wanted, loved, and included whether or not you feel like you can be in the building right now. (And, this is will remain true through this surge and beyond.) 

If you are sick, please do stay home and join us online. This is one way we can love each other well. 

I will keep you posted about inclement weather! There may indeed be snow this weekend, and some of you will remember that it would not be the first snowy Christmas we have seen together. Currently we have no plans to cancel worship if there is snow - generally I can make it to church at minimum, and if Martin is snowed in we can sing acapella or have a spoken service. Do check your email to make sure but the plan is to forge ahead with or without snow. 

Siblings in Christ, I believe we are in for some tough and trying days ahead, once again. I also believe this is different than the first surges, before we had vaccines and knew that masks could help. I will keep St. Columba's open to in person services as long as I am permitted to by our Bishop's office and by our local government. What I ask of each of you is to wear your mask to worship and keep it on over your nose and mouth at all times while indoors, except as briefly as possible when receiving communion, or while you are serving if you are a lector or preacher/presider for that service.  I also ask you to monitor your own health and comfort levels with attention and care. Let's hold each other gently right now, knowing that different people will discern different levels of comfort and feel different levels of safety or anxiety day to day. This is an opportunity to practice staying connected, staying church, and caring for each other. 

I know we are up for it. 

I'm not thrilled that this is the situation we are faced with, still and once again. But I am continually and deeply grateful to be facing it with you. 

with care and gratitude as we anticipate the Incarnation,

Alissa