Dear Friends,
Many of us were horrified to see the awful images of the devastating fire that swept through the Dobson Pipe Organ Company works this week. Our heartfelt prayers go out to Lynn Dobson, John Panning, and all who worked on our own Miller-Scott Organ. The factory was completely destroyed. One person was hurt but is recovering, we are told. How sad that they have lost so many important artifacts together with many hand-drawings of all their meticulous work.
We sent messages of good will to the company and we have offered prayers for them. Dr. Filsell found a beautiful video short about Lynn and his company which was filmed a little while ago. As you watch it, you will get a feel for the artistry, the expertise, and the knowledge used to create these very individual instruments. But most of all, you will see the love of his craft emanating from Lynn as he shows you around his workshop.
Earlier this week, I was heartened to learn that, following a unanimous vote in the Senate, Congress approved a bill to commemorate June 19, or Juneteenth, as a Federal Holiday. This date, all the way back in 1865, which many states already recognize as a holiday, is the day Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas and was also about 2 1/2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in the Southern states. Please continue to pray with me for our country.
As the fireworks on our harbor and throughout New York State so vividly demonstrated on Tuesday night, the Governor of New York has officially lifted various COVID-19 restrictions, as 70 percent of adults have received their first dose of the vaccine series. The state’s health guidance has now declared certain practices optional, including social gathering limits, capacity restrictions, social distancing, cleaning and disinfection, health screening, and contact information for tracing. According to CDC guidance, masks remain required for unvaccinated individuals.
In light of this new direction and the options that we have as a parish family, we would like you to be aware of what guidance you should expect immediately and in the near-term at Saint Thomas Church for in-person worship.
Masks will still be required by all who attend church for the time being, to protect the unvaccinated and to follow CDC guidance.
- Temperature checks will continue, for the time being.
- The pews will remain ‘socially distant’ for the next two Sundays.
- Communion will continue to be administered in one-kind with standing stations at the crossing.
- Hand-sanitizing stations will remain available for those who wish to use them.
As of Sunday, July 4, online pre-registration and Narthex Registration for in-person worship will be suspended together with the six feet distance requirement for seating. However, please observe all directions from our Security Team and members of the Guild of Ushers. We will have two stations for communion rather than one, and the signage on the floors has already been removed. July 4th will truly feel like Independence Day!
For the sake of caution and good order, we intend to move carefully and incrementally in the lifting of all our restrictions. We are cautiously optimistic that this scenario will hold and then continue to progress over time. However, we will continue to update you on any further changes. If you have any questions, please contact Father Moretz.
Finally, the first of our Summer Feasts will be celebrated on Thursday, June 24 – The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist. In addition to the 12pm service, the Gentlemen of the Choir will sing a Solemn Eucharist at 5:30pm. Last Sunday, I mentioned in the greetings that these summer feasts are a great opportunity to enjoy an appropriate festive meal afterwards; one parishioner took this quite literally and asked me if I had any recipes for locusts and wild honey! I hope that, next summer, we will be able to offer some simple hospitality after each of these celebrations, but perhaps not quite so creative!
Affectionately,
Your Priest and Pastor,
Carl
