Dear Friends,
This Monday, Saint Thomas Church was open to the public for the first time since March. As we announced, the hours are now Monday through Saturday from 10:00am to 2:00pm. This initial phase in the re-institution of public worship includes only two elements: our regular service of Mass in the Lady Chapel, preceded by Shrine Prayers as well as a space provided for Private Prayer.
In last week’s e-news, I elaborated on a variety of new safety procedures and guidelines for worship which you can review carefully here before you visit. But I would like to reflect a bit on this first week of public worship.
It made a such vivid impression upon me to have the Fifth Avenue doors open again. Those doors, in the main, have been shut tight for four months. And in that time, we have filmed and celebrated quite a number of services. Yet, looking out upon an empty church, the front doors would always be shut and the formerly well-trafficked narthex quiet and dark. After over one hundred days of gazing out at empty pews, my heart was lifted to see sunlight burst through the doors and to hear the bustling street sounds echo through our beloved building. Indeed, the inner narthex doors are now kept open to allow air to circulate. And so there is also a light breeze, at times. Something as simple as opening our church’s doors is undeniably invigorating.
I received even more invigoration by celebrating a service on Monday where someone besides me and another member of staff were in the congregation. That first day, there were seven of us (a holy number). It was new to be part of a worship service when everyone is wearing a mask. But, after so much practice in other places, this was decidedly not an obstacle to the warmth and fellowship that we all felt. The masks were no obstacle to the joy of seeing one another after so long. So much could be seen in the eyes. So much could be heard in our common prayers. Despite the masks, we were indeed face to face together. And, how can I put it, the potency of praying and sharing the sacrament with sisters and brothers in Christ in person was surely heightened that day. There was such release and consolation, like the relaxing of a taut rubber band back into its natural shape. And no moment rests more in my memory than the precise moment when the Presence was placed from my hand into another, looking into another pair of eyes. After being without this divine exchange for so long, the sacramental worship, especially at that moment, was palpably electric.
Whether you can worship in person or with us over a device, know that the signs of vitality at Saint Thomas continue to flourish, in person and across the globe, fortified by the Presence of Christ in Sacrament and Prayer, with open hearts, and now, open doors.
With every blessing,
Matthew Moretz
Associate Rector
