July 4 2021 COVID-19

The Holy Spirit, depicted as a dove, in the chantry chapel reredos of Saint Thomas Church

From this Sunday:

  • You do not need to pre-register for choral services.
  • You do not need to give your details in the Narthex when you arrive
  • If you are fully vaccinated, wearing a mask is
  • If you are not fully vaccinated, according to CDC and State rules, you must wear a mask and practice social distancing.
  • We will continue temperature checks in the Narthex.
  • If you have a fever, or have a cough, or are feeling unwell, please do not come to church until you feel better.

Other Manhattan churches are also making mask-wearing optional for vaccinated people but, in the spirit of a recent letter to the clergy from the Bishop of New York, we will not be setting aside designated areas for unvaccinated people. Instead, we have decided to keep the pews as they are for the time being. Please continue to observe the signs on the pews and do not sit in a pew with a red cross; only sit in the pews with a green check-mark.

From Sunday, we will have two stations for Holy Communion at the crossing. As per Diocesan rules, Communion will continue to be in one-kind until the pandemic is officially over.

This Sunday will feel very different, how appropriate that we will be celebrating Independence Day.

Please continue to pray for those countries where the death rate is still rising, and let us all remember our devoted front-line workers who continue to keep us safe.