Dear Ones of St. Columba's,

This morning I typed "when will kids" in to google and that was all it took for the algorithm to complete my search with "under five be vaccinated." I am impatient for this to happen for lots of reasons. Like many of us who care about littles, it feels like torture waiting for this last group of people to have access to vaccine protection from COViD 19. 

I bring this up because in Washington State indoor mask mandate is coming to an end tomorrow, March 12th. This means that the decision about whether or not to require masks is shifting from our state government to local businesses and organizations. So I want to let you know - for the time being we are still going to require masks for indoor worship. My reason for this is simple - before I left for sabbatical last summer I told you that we would make masking at indoor worship optional when everyone had access to vaccines. Everyone does not have access to vaccines yet. The youngest members of our congregation are not yet able to get the protection offered by vaccines from COViD. Many of them are also not able to wear masks. 

I am aware that this disease poses a much smaller risk to children than to others. And, in talking to the parents of our young children at St. Columba's, I came to realize that the stress and anxiety caused by even that small risk is significant. So I am choosing to stick with what was decided last year and, for the time being, require that people wear masks in worship unless they are reading, preaching, or presiding. We will ask that folks only remove masks in coffee hour when actively eating or drinking. This is a choice we are making to care for and protect our families with young children, because we are a place that prioritizes and cherishes our little ones.

Friends, I know that this is a decision that some of you will greet with relief, and others with frustration. Personally I don't like wearing masks and I am looking forward to the day I can make it optional with much hope and anticipation. Please know that I continue to review the science to the best of my understanding, consult with the experts I know, and listen to each of you best I can. 

Please also know that the day is coming when we will make masks optional in worship. And this moment will also be fraught - some among us will rip masks from our faces with joy and without hesitation. Others will struggle to feel safe(or to be safe, depending on medical situation), and choose to keep them on for a while or for the indefinite future. All these responses are understandable and okay. There is no way of feeling about masks that disqualifies you from belonging to this community, or being wanted and loved here. 

My hope is that we as a community can continue be who we are: people who love each other and choose each other despite and because we are not the same. St. Columba's knows how to hold difference and discomfort with grace, and to choose to care for each other in the midst of diverse politics, opinions, and life experiences. I am so grateful for this, and for each one of you. In a world marked by division and violence, we need community that can hold difference and diversity with grace and love. Please don't hesitate to be in touch with me with any questions about where we are with this issue or where we are headed. 

with care and gratitude,

Alissa