Bishop Klusmeyer's Email                   

 

                                                   April 16, 2020

 

 

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

 

Each day, when we turn on the news, or open our local papers, every story seems to be about The Coronavirus, or Covid-19.  There is no escaping it.

 

What I have learned over the past few weeks is how much we don’t know about this virus. 

 

I have heard from people around the Diocese about how this has affected them personally.  Parishioners who have been diagnosed with the virus.  Family members diagnosed.  People have lost their jobs, or are afraid of losing their jobs. 

 

On March 13th, on my way over to Martinsburg for my visitation, I heard the extraordinary news that schools were being closed, and that various churches were being closed. 

 

I turned around, and headed home.  I listened to the news, and when I got home I talked with a variety of church leaders from around the State.  We were all in agreement that we needed to close the church buildings ‘for some time.’  We were not sure what that timeframe might look like, but we knew it was the right thing to do.  At that moment, West Virginia didn’t have any diagnosed cases.

 

Over the past few weeks, the number of cases has risen, and the number of deaths related to the virus has skyrocketed. 

 

I have spoken to my friends in the Old Catholic Churches in Europe.  Borders are closed.  Flights are non-existent.  Church buildings are closed, and people are told to remain inside their homes.  Social gatherings are non-existent.

 

Through this ‘social distancing,’ we have had to become creative.  Online worship services are popping up everywhere.  Clergy are becoming adept at splicing video clips, and making church appear to be happening, in a different way.

 

And, through all of this work of staying apart, it appears that we are coming together.  More and more people are at least ‘stopping by’ to see some of our parish worship offerings.  Our Noonday Office is getting a regular following, with many more coming to visit after it is posted on Facebook.

 

And, the medical community tells us that this appears to be slowing the spread of the virus, but this is not the end.  We are being told that social distancing must continue, and I have to admit that while it is not what I had hoped for, it is the best advice we can be given.  We are not about just gathering because we can…but we are also called to protect the lives of the people around us.

 

With this in mind, I am extending our closures of church buildings until at least 15 May 2020.  If things radically change for the better, we can consider lifting this.  If things do not significantly change, this may have to be extended.  We cannot be a part of the problem of spreading this disease, and we must protect The People of God entrusted to us.

 

In addition, many of us have gathered virtually to discuss what will happen at Peterkin this Summer.  As many of you may already know, The Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) which was scheduled for early July has already been postponed until Summer 2021.  Lambeth Conference also scheduled for this Summer has been rescheduled for July 2021.

 

After much discussion, it is apparent that Peterkin, which was to begin on 1 June, will not be taking place physically.  Instead, all I can say is that we are ‘working on it.’  The Counsellors, Daisy, Jordan and others are working to make some kind of loving, life-giving and graceful experience take place online.  Living Under Grace will somehow move into the 21st Century.  We do not have a definitive program at this time, but we are working on it quickly.

 

I know that these are difficult things to read and hear, and I ask your prayers for each other…for your parishes…for the ones we love…and now even for those who suffer with this virus. 

 

Please continue to pray for one another, and reach out to each other via phones, emails, letters, cards, zoom, skype, facebook and whatever other means you know to stay connected. 

 

We are the Church dispersed throughout the State.  Like the early Church – the Diaspora – we are scattered, but we are still united together through our common faith in and love of Jesus.  We use the Book of Common Prayer to know that others are praying the same prayers, and that our faith is what will carry us forward.

 

May God bless you in this time of unknowing.

 

Infinite Lord and eternal God,

Rouse your Church in this land,

Restore your people’s sense of mission,

And revive your work in holiness and strength.

By your Spirit, teach us to give our energy,

Our time, our money, our service and our prayer,

That your kingdom may be advanced

Here and in all the world;

In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen

                                                            (Church in Wales)

 

God bless you.

 

In Christ,

 

The Rt Rev W Michie Klusmeyer

Bishop

 

 

 

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A message from Bishop Michael Curry

        Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church         

regarding worship in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

 

On the evening of March 11, 2020, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church Michael Curry shared the following message with bishops of The Episcopal Church:
 
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
 
We are facing an unprecedented challenge with the COVID-19 outbreak, which the World Health Organization has just deemed a pandemic (see link). In this context, bishops having charge of a diocese have my support as Presiding Bishop if, in light of the public health situation in their diocese, they decide - for a designated period of time - to suspend the administration of the common cup to the congregation in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, and/or to cancel in-person gatherings for public worship.
 
I encourage you, in the event of cancellation of these public gatherings, to use technology to offer worship.
 
God bless you and keep the faith.
 
+Michael
 
The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church


Visit the Episcopal Church’s webpage Concerning COVID-19 for information and resources related to the coronavirus outbreak including: Faith-based responses to epidemics from Episcopal Relief and Development, general guidelines and safety measures, links to government and public health information, resources for using technology to gather, as well as worship and formation resources to use at home or in virtual settings. Resources are updated regularly.