Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidelines and Up-Dates
New Mexico Health Department and Department of Health and Human Services defines 10% Positive Test Rate as an UNCONTROLLABLE COMMUNITY SPREAD
Diocese of the Rio Grande RED to GREEN
14 Day Avg. Positive Test Rate and Avg. # of New Cases in the GREEN LEVEL for two reporting cycles has placed Chaves Co. in the TURQUOISE LEVEL.
Positive Test Rate 2.33%
New Cases 5.3
Up-dated 04/07/21
Next up-date 04/21/21
Diocese of the Rio Grande RED to GREEN
14 Day Avg. Positive Test Rate and Avg. # of New Cases in the GREEN LEVEL for two reporting cycles has placed Chaves Co. in the TURQUOISE LEVEL.
Positive Test Rate 2.33%
New Cases 5.3
Up-dated 04/07/21
Next up-date 04/21/21
03/24/21 Phase II Worship Under Green Zone
Chaves County has entered the GREEN ZONE. What does this mean for St. Andrew's? The pews may be reconfigured to provide additional seating. The number of worshipers accepted is 40 to 50. This number of worshiper may vary depending upon the size of each household unit attending.
Under DRG guidelines social distancing and mask/face covering remains essential. Whether you have been vaccinated or not. Remember, some worshipers have not been vaccinated, some have only received their first shot.
Churches remain listed among one of the top 10 places of risk where numerous households gather.
As a community of faith, we not only worship for our own spiritual needs and strength. We worship and pray for the health, safety, spiritual needs, and strength for and with others.
Continue to scroll down for most recent CDC recommendations.
"Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit..."
For Trust in God
O God, the source of all health: So fill [our] heart with faith in
your love, that with calm expectancy [we] may make room for
your power to possess [us], and gracefully accept your
healing; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Most recent recommendations from CDC
For now, if you’ve been fully vaccinated:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated | CDC
Chaves County has entered the GREEN ZONE. What does this mean for St. Andrew's? The pews may be reconfigured to provide additional seating. The number of worshipers accepted is 40 to 50. This number of worshiper may vary depending upon the size of each household unit attending.
Under DRG guidelines social distancing and mask/face covering remains essential. Whether you have been vaccinated or not. Remember, some worshipers have not been vaccinated, some have only received their first shot.
Churches remain listed among one of the top 10 places of risk where numerous households gather.
As a community of faith, we not only worship for our own spiritual needs and strength. We worship and pray for the health, safety, spiritual needs, and strength for and with others.
Continue to scroll down for most recent CDC recommendations.
"Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit..."
For Trust in God
O God, the source of all health: So fill [our] heart with faith in
your love, that with calm expectancy [we] may make room for
your power to possess [us], and gracefully accept your
healing; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Most recent recommendations from CDC
For now, if you’ve been fully vaccinated:
- You should still take steps to protect yourself and others in many situations, like wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet apart from others, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces. Take these precautions whenever you are:
- In public
- Gathering with unvaccinated people from more than one other household
- Visiting with an unvaccinated person who is at increased risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 or who lives with a person at increased risk
- You should still avoid medium or large-sized gatherings.
- You should still watch out for symptoms of COVID-19, especially if you’ve been around someone who is sick. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should get tested and stay home and away from others.
- You will still need to follow guidance at your workplace.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated | CDC
03/13/21 Phase In Toward In-Person Worship
It is reassuring to see the number of new Covid-19 cases and Positive Test Rates decrease in Chaves County over the past two-weeks reporting cycles from the New Mexico Health Department this past Wednesday (March 10, 2021).
In consultation with the Vestry and following a re-review of Phase II careful practices regarding limited in-person worship. The resolve is to resume Phase II (limited in-person worship with caution) on Sunday, March 21. Service will return to the previous Phase II schedule of 8:00 am and 10:00 am with Facebook Livestreaming continuing at the 10 am service.
Recent CDC proposals for those who have received both vaccine shots allow the gathering of two low risk households. Churches remain listed among one of the top 10 places of risk where numerous households gather.
If you are experiencing flu or cold type symptoms such as fever or chills please take advantage of livestream worship staying at home.
Attending Service:
Service Reminders:
As previous Phase II worship, the goal is to take the necessary precautions to establish a safe worshiping space as possible.
It is reassuring to see the number of new Covid-19 cases and Positive Test Rates decrease in Chaves County over the past two-weeks reporting cycles from the New Mexico Health Department this past Wednesday (March 10, 2021).
In consultation with the Vestry and following a re-review of Phase II careful practices regarding limited in-person worship. The resolve is to resume Phase II (limited in-person worship with caution) on Sunday, March 21. Service will return to the previous Phase II schedule of 8:00 am and 10:00 am with Facebook Livestreaming continuing at the 10 am service.
Recent CDC proposals for those who have received both vaccine shots allow the gathering of two low risk households. Churches remain listed among one of the top 10 places of risk where numerous households gather.
If you are experiencing flu or cold type symptoms such as fever or chills please take advantage of livestream worship staying at home.
Attending Service:
- Attendance will be limited to 25-30 worshipers.
- Masks and social distancing required.
- Masks are available at the door if worshiper came without a mask.
- Protective gloves and individual sealed handwipes are available.
- Worshipers are required to sign-in. Signing in provides contact information in case exposure is identified.
- Hand sanitizer is available in the Narthex as you enter.
- One in three pews is available for seating to provide 6ft distancing between pews. Seating per pew is measured by households.
- Communion will be brought to worshipers in the pews using an intinction paten.
Service Reminders:
- No congregational singing.
- Depending on length of readings number of readings may vary. The Gospel is required for Communion.
- Following service please greet one another (fellowship) outside on the driveway. Social distancing is still in order.
As previous Phase II worship, the goal is to take the necessary precautions to establish a safe worshiping space as possible.
03/10/21 The NMDH’s up-date. Although Chaves County remains in the Yellow Zone the County has shown a continuation in it’s decline during the 14 day Red to Green dashboard The Positive Test Rate has declined from 3.22% to 2.37%. The average number of new cases over the same period has declined from 11.8 to 9.1.
Chaves County’s Average New Cases extends the Yellow Zone rating. This is likely due to 3 days of new cases during the reporting period in the double-digit range, respectively 19, 10 and 14.
Please be patient as to decision regarding a return to limited in-person worship.
Chaves County’s Average New Cases extends the Yellow Zone rating. This is likely due to 3 days of new cases during the reporting period in the double-digit range, respectively 19, 10 and 14.
Please be patient as to decision regarding a return to limited in-person worship.
Diocese of the Rio Grande Phased Reopening Quick Chart for New Mexico
| Phased Reopening Quick Chart |
NM Health Department Red to Turquoise Chart
| NM Covid Red to Green Chart 03/10/2 |
03/10/21 The New Mexico Health Department is scheduled to release the 14 day up-date this afternoon. This normally takes place after 5 pm. The hope is the daily trends will move Chaves county near or into the Green Zone. An email will be sent to the Vestry following the NMHD's up-date as to phasing in limited in-person worship. Following present Diocesan protocol the return to worship is structured under Diocesan Phase II guidelines, masks, social distance, signing in, and 25% of seating capacity. Watch for up-date through Constant Contact, Facebook, and this website later today or tomorrow following the Health Department's up-date.
03/08/2021: Adhering to Diocesan procedures the service this Sunday continues by livestream only. New Covid-19 cases and Positive Test Rates continue to be monitored daily. Following a significant decline of both from the last New Mexico Health Department report between February 10 to February 24, daily reporting indicates a leveling of both reporting statistics. Please be mindful past statistical cycles suggest a rise of newly reported cases and Positive Test Rates following a flattened cycle. Please continue to check your weekly Constant Contact, Facebook posting, and St. Andrew’s website www.standrewsroswell.com for updates. See Diocesan Quick Chart PDF below.
Parish Update:
December 17, 2020
At December’s Vestry meeting discussion regarding options available in considering an Annual Parish Meeting in January is clearly questionable. Bishop Hunn recently informed clergy the DRG Canons state Annual Parish Meetings must occur “annually”. Therefore, parishes may delay actions needful of a quorum. Considering, much of what takes place at the Annual Parish Meeting is fellowship and informational, reports and can be distributed through various means (hard copy, email, website, etc.).
Taking into consideration several members do not have access or reliable access and/or skill for electronic meetings and voting abilities, in addition to the vulnerability of our membership makes a rightful voting process questionable. Consequently, the vestry voted to suspend or delay the Annual Parish Meeting (normally held in January) until a time when we can gather in person/Phase III. As time moves forward, your vestry will be updated as to Positive Test Rates, and in hope that in person worship and/or gatherings may resume. In the meantime, the Vestry may explore other viable processes along with diocesan recommendations and alternatives.
I give thanks to God for the many safety measures at St. Andrew’s which has contributed to averting the spread of Covid-19 among our community. I also give thanks for the leadership of our Bishop and your vestry for the same.
God’s blessings of a peaceful and safe 2021.
Fr. Dale+
Updated Diocesan Guidelines
December 2, 2020
If you are in the State of New Mexico
If your New Mexico county is in Red it is not safe to open for public worship. Office activity is limited to essential business operations. (See additional details below.)
If your New Mexico county is in Yellow, we strongly recommend that you remain closed to public worship. Your office may remain open according to your phase II workbook. (See additional details below.)
---
For New Mexico counties in Red: (DRG Phase I)
Worship: It is unsafe to hold in-person worship, and congregations are limited to digital services. Non-contact and Drive-Up/Drive-Thru delivery of the sacrament are permitted. In person teams for recording/streaming services should not exceed 5 people. Masking and social distancing requirements must be maintained at all times.
Business Operations: Office staff and volunteers are limited to only those necessary for essential business operations. Contact between individuals must be kept to a minimum. Masks and social distancing requirements must be maintained in all common areas.
For New Mexico counties in Yellow: (DRG Phase II- Extra Caution Needed)
Worship: The Bishop's Office strongly recommends that all congregations in counties in yellow continue exclusively streaming services, and continuing with non-contact or drive-up/drive-thru delivery. Our “strong recommendation” means that all Rectors and Vicars should contact their Vestries or Bishop's Committees immediately and have a conversation as to whether in-person worship is safe or appropriate at this time- taking into consideration the risk profile of your congregants, your ability to hold outdoor services, your ability to fully abide by your phase II workbook, and the comfort level of officiating clergy in those services.
Business Operations: Office staff and volunteers may be present in accordance with the congregation's most recently approved Phase II reopening workbook. Contact between individuals should be kept to a minimum. Masks and social distancing requirements must be maintained in all common areas.
For New Mexico counties in Green: (Phase II)
Worship: Congregations may reopen according to their most recently approved Phase II workbook at no more than 50% of their capacity as indicated by the Fire-Marshall.
Business Operations: Office staff and volunteers may be present in accordance with the congregation's most recently approved Phase II reopening workbook.
For any additional questions please contact The Rev. Canon Lee Curtis at lcurtis@dioceserg.org or at 321-501-9939.
Mary Jewell
Executive Secretary to the Bishop
Bishop's Liaison to Camp Stoney
Diocese of the Rio Grande
505-881-0636, ext. 102
Please Note: My regular work week has shifted to Tuesday to Saturday. If you are contacting me on a Sunday or Monday, my first opportunity to respond may not be until Tuesday morning.
December 17, 2020
At December’s Vestry meeting discussion regarding options available in considering an Annual Parish Meeting in January is clearly questionable. Bishop Hunn recently informed clergy the DRG Canons state Annual Parish Meetings must occur “annually”. Therefore, parishes may delay actions needful of a quorum. Considering, much of what takes place at the Annual Parish Meeting is fellowship and informational, reports and can be distributed through various means (hard copy, email, website, etc.).
Taking into consideration several members do not have access or reliable access and/or skill for electronic meetings and voting abilities, in addition to the vulnerability of our membership makes a rightful voting process questionable. Consequently, the vestry voted to suspend or delay the Annual Parish Meeting (normally held in January) until a time when we can gather in person/Phase III. As time moves forward, your vestry will be updated as to Positive Test Rates, and in hope that in person worship and/or gatherings may resume. In the meantime, the Vestry may explore other viable processes along with diocesan recommendations and alternatives.
I give thanks to God for the many safety measures at St. Andrew’s which has contributed to averting the spread of Covid-19 among our community. I also give thanks for the leadership of our Bishop and your vestry for the same.
God’s blessings of a peaceful and safe 2021.
Fr. Dale+
Updated Diocesan Guidelines
December 2, 2020
If you are in the State of New Mexico
If your New Mexico county is in Red it is not safe to open for public worship. Office activity is limited to essential business operations. (See additional details below.)
If your New Mexico county is in Yellow, we strongly recommend that you remain closed to public worship. Your office may remain open according to your phase II workbook. (See additional details below.)
---
For New Mexico counties in Red: (DRG Phase I)
Worship: It is unsafe to hold in-person worship, and congregations are limited to digital services. Non-contact and Drive-Up/Drive-Thru delivery of the sacrament are permitted. In person teams for recording/streaming services should not exceed 5 people. Masking and social distancing requirements must be maintained at all times.
Business Operations: Office staff and volunteers are limited to only those necessary for essential business operations. Contact between individuals must be kept to a minimum. Masks and social distancing requirements must be maintained in all common areas.
For New Mexico counties in Yellow: (DRG Phase II- Extra Caution Needed)
Worship: The Bishop's Office strongly recommends that all congregations in counties in yellow continue exclusively streaming services, and continuing with non-contact or drive-up/drive-thru delivery. Our “strong recommendation” means that all Rectors and Vicars should contact their Vestries or Bishop's Committees immediately and have a conversation as to whether in-person worship is safe or appropriate at this time- taking into consideration the risk profile of your congregants, your ability to hold outdoor services, your ability to fully abide by your phase II workbook, and the comfort level of officiating clergy in those services.
Business Operations: Office staff and volunteers may be present in accordance with the congregation's most recently approved Phase II reopening workbook. Contact between individuals should be kept to a minimum. Masks and social distancing requirements must be maintained in all common areas.
For New Mexico counties in Green: (Phase II)
Worship: Congregations may reopen according to their most recently approved Phase II workbook at no more than 50% of their capacity as indicated by the Fire-Marshall.
Business Operations: Office staff and volunteers may be present in accordance with the congregation's most recently approved Phase II reopening workbook.
For any additional questions please contact The Rev. Canon Lee Curtis at lcurtis@dioceserg.org or at 321-501-9939.
Mary Jewell
Executive Secretary to the Bishop
Bishop's Liaison to Camp Stoney
Diocese of the Rio Grande
505-881-0636, ext. 102
Please Note: My regular work week has shifted to Tuesday to Saturday. If you are contacting me on a Sunday or Monday, my first opportunity to respond may not be until Tuesday morning.
June 25, 2020
Grace and peace,
The paperwork for Phase II has been submitted to the Diocese, reviewed, and approved.
Now is the time to prepare you for limited in-person worship.
There will be signs on the pergola as you approach the doors reminding you of the requirement to wear a mask or face covering. Wearing a mask or face covering is required by both the Diocese of the Rio Grande and the New Mexico Department of Health order, with hand sanitizer and sanitized wipes available in the narthex, along with masks if you need one.
As you enter the worship space you will notice several pews have been roped-off, creating safe distance seating. Open pews are staggered on either side of the center aisle.
Depending on number of individuals in a household and available safe distance seating in a single pew may vary. As the church walks into limited in-person worship the seating capacity is set at 25-30 individuals.
During this time, there will be three services offered each week – Wednesday morning, Sunday morning 8 am, and Sunday morning 10 am. The average Sunday attendance during last summer was 50. Under COVID-19 limited worship the Sunday 10 AM service needs to be reduced. Please consider attending Wednesday morning or early service on Sunday morning.
Some may believe many of these precautions in affect are excessive. Three things to consider. First, many St. Andrew’s members and communicants are high risk population, and many in this population want to return to public worship as much as those who are not in a high risk or vulnerable population. Second, attending worship is a different organism than going into the grocery store or box store. Third, it seems more prudent to begin public worship cautiously, and adjust as we walk the path, rather than rushing in and initiate restrictions in our walk.
"Vulnerable and high-risk populations should plan to stay at home. This includes those who are 64 and older, people with asthma, chronic lung conditions, immune deficiency and those receiving cancer treatment, serious heart disease, diabetes, on dialysis, severe obesity, chronic liver disease, people living in nursing facilities and other congregate settings."
Those showing symptoms that may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus must stay home:
Fever or chills, Cough, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, Fatigue, Muscle or body aches,
Headache, New loss of taste or smell, Sore throat, Congestion or runny nose, Nausea or vomiting, Diarrhea.
In anticipation of your question when will St. Andrew’s return to public worship?
A provisional service was held the morning of Wednesday, June 24t with Spiritual Anointing and Communion. Sunday, June 28th will begin limited in-person worship at 8 AM and 10 AM.
The Wi-Fi system is scheduled to be updated to provide for livestreaming of services. In the meantime, the 8 AM service will be recorded and uploaded for viewing prior to the 10 AM service.
WORSHIP DURING COVID-19 LIMITED IN-PERSON WORSHIP AT ST. ANDREW’S
Grace to you and peace
Welcome: As we gather in these times, it is required we all observe both DRG and NM Health Department Order requirements of safe practices for public worship.
Wearing a mask or appropriate face covering is a DRG and NM Health Department requirement.
AS YOU ENTER:
+++++Let us go Forth in the Name of Christ+++++
Thanks be to God
June 7, 2020
Worship under COVID-19
Phase I of the three phase plan has been completed and submitted to the DRG.
At present St. Andrew’s is working through Phase II.
Preparing the worship space (Nave) as outlined in Phase II is nearly completed for limited public worship. HVAC filtering advice and Fire Marshall inspection for seating capacity need to be verified and documented.
Documenting each phase and recommendation is also in process, and should be ready for Vestry and DRG review as soon as it is completed.
When limited public worship is accessible, St. Andrew’s will offer three services a week to begin with. One on Wednesday and two on Sunday. If you have never attended the Wednesday morning service of Anointing and Communion you may consider attending to encourage safer distribution of safe distancing in limited public worship.
Worship will look and feel different:
In accordance with Phase II, along with State recommendations, it is clearly recommended to wear a mask or appropriate face covering. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available in the Narthex for those who forgot their mask or face covering.
I you are in a vulnerable risk category: (DRG Phase II workbook)
"Vulnerable populations should not attend. This includes those who are 64 and older, people with asthma, chronic lung conditions, immune deficiency and those receiving cancer treatment, serious heart disease, diabetes, on dialysis, severe obesity, chronic liver disease, people living in nursing facilities and other congregate settings."
Some may feel these measures are excessive, however, walking is safer than running into limited public worship. Decreasing restrictions in the future seems more prudent once limited service begins rather than increasing restrictions following limited public worship.
According to lawyers from the Church Insurance Corporation, liability lawyers are prepared to pursue liability suits against churches and organizations that have resumed public services and/or worship.
Therefore, it is appropriate to consider risk management exposing negligence liability. The Church Insurance liability lawyers are pleased with the DRG’s Phase I & II process.
Risk management is for the health and protection of us all. An active display of God’s love.
May 23, 2020
On March 6, the Bishop requested the suspend of in-person services in the Diocese of the Rio Grande (DRG) for the health and safety of its congregants. On March 13 public school were order to closed in New Mexico, and our daily life and health practice began to change. People began making and giving away facial masks and limiting themselves to going out for essential items only.
Two weeks ago, a few non-denominational church’s in Roswell resumed public worship, and just this past week, the governor permitted places of worship could resume with limited public worship this coming Sunday, May 24. The authority to suspend or resume public worship in the Episcopal Church rest with the Bishop. Here at St. Andrew’s, we will continue to follow the policies and procedures of our Bishop in-regards to best worship practices, for the love and safety of our sisters and brothers in Christ who come to St. Andrew's to worship and pray.
The Bishop has launched a Three Phase policy working toward parishes in the DRG to open under limited public worship guidelines. As St. Andrew’s methodically works through each phase, please keep in mind outside determining factors beyond our control.
Phase I: Primarily Phase I, is a review of policies and procedures during non-public worship practices.
Phase II: This phase establishes protocols moving toward “limited” public worship.
After submission of Phase II, and permission of the Bishop a parish may be allowed to open under diocesan guidelines as set forth in the Phase II.
Phase III is essentially a return to public worship. Moving to Phase III biggest factor will be based upon availability of a vaccine.
At present, every parish in the diocese is in Phase I. The vestry has received the work booklet for Phase I and will begin the process of preparing the document for the diocese.
As St. Andrew’s awaits the response of Phase I, we will begin preparing the space for Phase II.
There are a few essentials to keep in mind as we move forward. The number of people that are legalized to gather does not mean that that number is safe. It simply establishes a traceable number of people in case of an outbreak from a certain location, and manageable for health care providers.
Also, keep in mind as the next few weeks roll by, the great majority of our congregation is in the “high risk” category -
As we walk this path through the phases the Bishop has outlined. let us recall the importance of being the church first. By being the church, we are mindful of the most vulnerable of our congregation and Christ's great commandment to love our neighbor. The past few weeks we have been adjusting to safe practices and suffering wisely, calmly, and generously. Richard Rohr refers to such suffering as a "virtue of hope."
Faithfully,
Dale+
May 18, 2020
If there was ever an in-convenient time to have computer issues this is the time. After spending much time last week and this past weekend on trying to resolves some various issues, I believe I am back on track.
The Vestry has now received the Phase I worksheet of three Phases in moving toward some form of limited public worship. After completing Phase I and following any recommendations from the Diocese, we will be able to move forward into Phase II. Phase I is primarily an evaluation of our Phase I response, and how we can implement Phase I into continued use and practice.
As we continue our walk with Christ and progression through each phase, please be mindful that the church is a much different organism than going into the grocery store or box store, and as local businesses begin to open under limited guidelines. In church we spend time together in a closed space, and we touch a lot of things, and there is an inward trust that all will be well. However, virus does not differentiate the people it infects or the places it preys upon.
It may be helpful that the numbers local, state, or federal governments say may gather, is not because that number means it is safe, but rather a number considered manageable to respond to infections by health officials, and a number traceable of people that may have been infected
As we walk this path through the phases the Bishop has outlined. let us recall the importance of being the church first. By being the church we must keep in mind the most vulnerable of our congregation and Christ's great commandment to love our neighbor. The past few weeks we have been adjusting to safe practices and suffering wisely, calmly, and generously. Richard Rohr refers to such suffering as a "virtue of hope" as a learned capacity.
The church will continue the course we are presently on as we systematically move forward being motivated by our love for one another.
March 25, 2020
The following prayer is out of the 1928 BCP (page, 45) for use in Time of Great Sickness and Mortality. As I understand, this prayer was incorporated into the 1928 prayer book as a result of the Spanish Flu of 1918.
MOST mighty and merciful God, in this time of grievous sickness, we flee unto thee for succour. Deliver us, we beseech thee, from our peril; give strength and skill to all those who minister to the sick; prosper the means made use of for their cure; and grant that, perceiving how frail and uncertain our life is, we may apply our hearts unto that heavenly wisdom which leadeth to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
March 13, 2020
Most recent guidelines from the Diocese of the Rio Grande - All services with more than two (2) or three (3) people are suspended. These guidelines are expected to be reviewed in three (3) weeks.
Therefore, there will be no services on Sundays or Wednesdays until these guidelines are lifted. Sorry for the inconveniences.
The office will remain open during the week and we will explore ways to broadcast live service via Facebook and links to the website. This Sunday you may link into the service at St. John's Cathedral in Albuquerque through their Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/stjohnsabq
You may worship at home using Morning Prayer in the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) beginning with sentences for Lent on page 38 BCP for Rite I, or for Rite II beginning on page 76 of the BCP. The scripture readings for this Sunday are found below on this page of the website.
May the Gace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you this day and always.
Grace and peace,
The paperwork for Phase II has been submitted to the Diocese, reviewed, and approved.
Now is the time to prepare you for limited in-person worship.
There will be signs on the pergola as you approach the doors reminding you of the requirement to wear a mask or face covering. Wearing a mask or face covering is required by both the Diocese of the Rio Grande and the New Mexico Department of Health order, with hand sanitizer and sanitized wipes available in the narthex, along with masks if you need one.
As you enter the worship space you will notice several pews have been roped-off, creating safe distance seating. Open pews are staggered on either side of the center aisle.
Depending on number of individuals in a household and available safe distance seating in a single pew may vary. As the church walks into limited in-person worship the seating capacity is set at 25-30 individuals.
During this time, there will be three services offered each week – Wednesday morning, Sunday morning 8 am, and Sunday morning 10 am. The average Sunday attendance during last summer was 50. Under COVID-19 limited worship the Sunday 10 AM service needs to be reduced. Please consider attending Wednesday morning or early service on Sunday morning.
Some may believe many of these precautions in affect are excessive. Three things to consider. First, many St. Andrew’s members and communicants are high risk population, and many in this population want to return to public worship as much as those who are not in a high risk or vulnerable population. Second, attending worship is a different organism than going into the grocery store or box store. Third, it seems more prudent to begin public worship cautiously, and adjust as we walk the path, rather than rushing in and initiate restrictions in our walk.
"Vulnerable and high-risk populations should plan to stay at home. This includes those who are 64 and older, people with asthma, chronic lung conditions, immune deficiency and those receiving cancer treatment, serious heart disease, diabetes, on dialysis, severe obesity, chronic liver disease, people living in nursing facilities and other congregate settings."
Those showing symptoms that may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus must stay home:
Fever or chills, Cough, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, Fatigue, Muscle or body aches,
Headache, New loss of taste or smell, Sore throat, Congestion or runny nose, Nausea or vomiting, Diarrhea.
In anticipation of your question when will St. Andrew’s return to public worship?
A provisional service was held the morning of Wednesday, June 24t with Spiritual Anointing and Communion. Sunday, June 28th will begin limited in-person worship at 8 AM and 10 AM.
The Wi-Fi system is scheduled to be updated to provide for livestreaming of services. In the meantime, the 8 AM service will be recorded and uploaded for viewing prior to the 10 AM service.
WORSHIP DURING COVID-19 LIMITED IN-PERSON WORSHIP AT ST. ANDREW’S
Grace to you and peace
Welcome: As we gather in these times, it is required we all observe both DRG and NM Health Department Order requirements of safe practices for public worship.
Wearing a mask or appropriate face covering is a DRG and NM Health Department requirement.
AS YOU ENTER:
- Hand sanitizer and masks are available in the narthex if you forgot your mask or face covering.
- Bulletins are available in the Narthex. Please take home your bulletin or dispose of it in the designated baskets as you leave.
- Safe distancing – 6 feet.
- Most pews can accommodate 2 households of 2 or a single and a household of 3. When seated maintain 6 feet between households (individuals)
- A household of 4, 5, or 6 occupies one pew. There is a section reserved for our largest household.
- The Peace. Please, do not hug, shake hands, or share a kiss during “The Peace” with others not from the same household. A bow, peace sign, or wave is an appropriate acknowledgement of sharing “The Peace”
- Receiving Communion. To limit movement, Communion will be distributed to the pews by the priest and/or assistant in one-kind (wafer).
- No congregational singing (music will be phased in).
- Exit worship space from the back pews forward.
- Take bulletin home or dispose of in designated baskets
- Conversations should take place in the driveway, pergola, or parking lot.
+++++Let us go Forth in the Name of Christ+++++
Thanks be to God
June 7, 2020
Worship under COVID-19
Phase I of the three phase plan has been completed and submitted to the DRG.
At present St. Andrew’s is working through Phase II.
Preparing the worship space (Nave) as outlined in Phase II is nearly completed for limited public worship. HVAC filtering advice and Fire Marshall inspection for seating capacity need to be verified and documented.
Documenting each phase and recommendation is also in process, and should be ready for Vestry and DRG review as soon as it is completed.
When limited public worship is accessible, St. Andrew’s will offer three services a week to begin with. One on Wednesday and two on Sunday. If you have never attended the Wednesday morning service of Anointing and Communion you may consider attending to encourage safer distribution of safe distancing in limited public worship.
Worship will look and feel different:
- Pews have been roped off to provide social distancing.
- Prayer Books and hymnals have been removed to lessen time cleaning and sanitizing between services.
- Pew cushion have been removed. You may bring a cushion from home.
- Duration of time together is a concern. The goal will be to keep the service close to 30 minutes.
- Instrumental music only – no singing. Likely music will consist of a pre-lude, offertory, and postlude.
- Clergy and altar party will enter from the sacristy and bell tower (no processions)
- One reading is required for a Eucharist – the Gospel.
- Prayers that are optional will be omitted.
- The Eucharistic Prayer will likely be said from an end of the altar rather than altar center. This position was common following the separation of the English Church from Rome in the 16th century.
- Altar party will consist of no more than three or four (priest, postulant or deacon, and intercessor, instrumentalist.
- Communion will be received in one kind (wafer) from the center aisle. Please adhere to social distancing.
- Greeting and conversations should take place outdoors in the drive or under the pergola allowing for social distancing.
In accordance with Phase II, along with State recommendations, it is clearly recommended to wear a mask or appropriate face covering. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available in the Narthex for those who forgot their mask or face covering.
I you are in a vulnerable risk category: (DRG Phase II workbook)
"Vulnerable populations should not attend. This includes those who are 64 and older, people with asthma, chronic lung conditions, immune deficiency and those receiving cancer treatment, serious heart disease, diabetes, on dialysis, severe obesity, chronic liver disease, people living in nursing facilities and other congregate settings."
Some may feel these measures are excessive, however, walking is safer than running into limited public worship. Decreasing restrictions in the future seems more prudent once limited service begins rather than increasing restrictions following limited public worship.
According to lawyers from the Church Insurance Corporation, liability lawyers are prepared to pursue liability suits against churches and organizations that have resumed public services and/or worship.
Therefore, it is appropriate to consider risk management exposing negligence liability. The Church Insurance liability lawyers are pleased with the DRG’s Phase I & II process.
Risk management is for the health and protection of us all. An active display of God’s love.
May 23, 2020
On March 6, the Bishop requested the suspend of in-person services in the Diocese of the Rio Grande (DRG) for the health and safety of its congregants. On March 13 public school were order to closed in New Mexico, and our daily life and health practice began to change. People began making and giving away facial masks and limiting themselves to going out for essential items only.
Two weeks ago, a few non-denominational church’s in Roswell resumed public worship, and just this past week, the governor permitted places of worship could resume with limited public worship this coming Sunday, May 24. The authority to suspend or resume public worship in the Episcopal Church rest with the Bishop. Here at St. Andrew’s, we will continue to follow the policies and procedures of our Bishop in-regards to best worship practices, for the love and safety of our sisters and brothers in Christ who come to St. Andrew's to worship and pray.
The Bishop has launched a Three Phase policy working toward parishes in the DRG to open under limited public worship guidelines. As St. Andrew’s methodically works through each phase, please keep in mind outside determining factors beyond our control.
- Each region, community, and parish is characteristically different. The number of confirmed cases differs across the State. So, one region or parish may be able to resume limited public worship accordingly, while another parish may have completed the necessary guidelines, but due to an increase of confirmed cases, may be instructed to continue virtually.
Phase I: Primarily Phase I, is a review of policies and procedures during non-public worship practices.
Phase II: This phase establishes protocols moving toward “limited” public worship.
- Cleaning and sanitizing space.
- heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
- Creating seating sections and distance practices.
- Removing items from the pews that can not be cleaned between service in a reasonable time – pew cushions, prayer books, and hymnals.
- Establishing best practices of worship in limited public life – spacing, cleaning between services, use of protective face wear.
- Limiting service time. Several pre-Covid-19 worship practices may be eliminated to shorten the service, and provide additional services. For example, for a Eucharistic service, the only reading required is the Gospel. Risk of catching the virus increases due to duration of time together. For example, walking into a room of 100 or more people for 5 minutes is less risky than being in a room of 20 for 1 hour.
- Congregational and choir singing remains suspended. The reasoning is when we sing, and especially those with strong voices droplets travel further and linger longer in the area.
- Availability of hand sanitizer
After submission of Phase II, and permission of the Bishop a parish may be allowed to open under diocesan guidelines as set forth in the Phase II.
Phase III is essentially a return to public worship. Moving to Phase III biggest factor will be based upon availability of a vaccine.
At present, every parish in the diocese is in Phase I. The vestry has received the work booklet for Phase I and will begin the process of preparing the document for the diocese.
As St. Andrew’s awaits the response of Phase I, we will begin preparing the space for Phase II.
There are a few essentials to keep in mind as we move forward. The number of people that are legalized to gather does not mean that that number is safe. It simply establishes a traceable number of people in case of an outbreak from a certain location, and manageable for health care providers.
Also, keep in mind as the next few weeks roll by, the great majority of our congregation is in the “high risk” category -
As we walk this path through the phases the Bishop has outlined. let us recall the importance of being the church first. By being the church, we are mindful of the most vulnerable of our congregation and Christ's great commandment to love our neighbor. The past few weeks we have been adjusting to safe practices and suffering wisely, calmly, and generously. Richard Rohr refers to such suffering as a "virtue of hope."
Faithfully,
Dale+
May 18, 2020
If there was ever an in-convenient time to have computer issues this is the time. After spending much time last week and this past weekend on trying to resolves some various issues, I believe I am back on track.
The Vestry has now received the Phase I worksheet of three Phases in moving toward some form of limited public worship. After completing Phase I and following any recommendations from the Diocese, we will be able to move forward into Phase II. Phase I is primarily an evaluation of our Phase I response, and how we can implement Phase I into continued use and practice.
As we continue our walk with Christ and progression through each phase, please be mindful that the church is a much different organism than going into the grocery store or box store, and as local businesses begin to open under limited guidelines. In church we spend time together in a closed space, and we touch a lot of things, and there is an inward trust that all will be well. However, virus does not differentiate the people it infects or the places it preys upon.
It may be helpful that the numbers local, state, or federal governments say may gather, is not because that number means it is safe, but rather a number considered manageable to respond to infections by health officials, and a number traceable of people that may have been infected
As we walk this path through the phases the Bishop has outlined. let us recall the importance of being the church first. By being the church we must keep in mind the most vulnerable of our congregation and Christ's great commandment to love our neighbor. The past few weeks we have been adjusting to safe practices and suffering wisely, calmly, and generously. Richard Rohr refers to such suffering as a "virtue of hope" as a learned capacity.
The church will continue the course we are presently on as we systematically move forward being motivated by our love for one another.
March 25, 2020
The following prayer is out of the 1928 BCP (page, 45) for use in Time of Great Sickness and Mortality. As I understand, this prayer was incorporated into the 1928 prayer book as a result of the Spanish Flu of 1918.
MOST mighty and merciful God, in this time of grievous sickness, we flee unto thee for succour. Deliver us, we beseech thee, from our peril; give strength and skill to all those who minister to the sick; prosper the means made use of for their cure; and grant that, perceiving how frail and uncertain our life is, we may apply our hearts unto that heavenly wisdom which leadeth to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
March 13, 2020
Most recent guidelines from the Diocese of the Rio Grande - All services with more than two (2) or three (3) people are suspended. These guidelines are expected to be reviewed in three (3) weeks.
Therefore, there will be no services on Sundays or Wednesdays until these guidelines are lifted. Sorry for the inconveniences.
The office will remain open during the week and we will explore ways to broadcast live service via Facebook and links to the website. This Sunday you may link into the service at St. John's Cathedral in Albuquerque through their Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/stjohnsabq
You may worship at home using Morning Prayer in the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) beginning with sentences for Lent on page 38 BCP for Rite I, or for Rite II beginning on page 76 of the BCP. The scripture readings for this Sunday are found below on this page of the website.
May the Gace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you this day and always.