A happy and blessed day to you and yours,
“I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD.”
Those words come from Psalm 122. This Psalm is identified as “A song of degrees”
Songs of degrees were Psalms that were sung by the Jewish people as they journeyed to Jerusalem to observe the specific feasts. These Psalms were designed to glorify the Lord and help prepare the hearts of the saints of God for worship. David rejoiced at the opportunity to go and worship the Lord. You and I have numerous reasons to rejoice today. We can rejoice because we belong to God; we are redeemed, set free and forgiven; we are Children of God, we are joint heirs with Jesus, we possess eternal life and we have been promised a home in Heaven.
For the last 6 months we have been worshipping online and via zoom. Beginning this Sunday September 27th, we will move a step further to a single Sunday celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 9:30 AM in the Nave. Much work has been done by the Vestry, the wardens, the staff and the clergy in order to ensure that we return to a safe, orderly, clean, and compliant space for the worship of God. It is exciting for us to assemble together once again. We have asked those who are “high risk” to protect themselves and join us online; And we long for the day when they are able join us once again.
New protocols from Bishop Gutiérrez allow for up to 50% occupancy which should mean that most of our normal Sunday congregation can return to regular, weekly worship with additional space available to welcome guests, visitors, and newcomers. Most of the precautions we’ve come to expect (social distancing, mask requirements, hand sanitizing, etc.) will remain in effect, but these new protocols will mean that no reservations will be required in advance of Sunday’s worship. I have attached here below St. Peter’s protocols to observe as we resume and I ask you to please read them.
Obviously, we will still be a long way from pre-pandemic normal, but I am overjoyed at this step and the prospect of worshipping with many of you in the coming weeks. The adoration of God and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist is the center of our life as a parish. I pray this shift will make it possible for many of us to resume sharing in that which is the source and summit of our life together.
If you have questions or comment, I hope you will reach out to me and/or your Wardens.
Sincerely,
Fr. Samuel K. Ndungu