Important Updates from the Rector
Dear Friends,
So much has changed for us in the last few days. Times are uncertain, and then we hear new news as well. The changing situation in our community, and in our world is disconcerting and it also brings a cascade of losses as events, wedding, services, parties and the normalcy of life all seem to be canceled. And, I want you to be sure you know, our God has not canceled on us. The story throughout scripture is about how God’s people, led by a faithful God, persevered in times of uncertainty and loss. We are given these stories in scripture, I believe, so that we may know how God has worked in ages past and in with us now in the midst of our new challenges today. I am writing you with continued updates about our common life together:
- Worship – will continue for the time being online only and livestreaming. Going forward, we will have one weekend livestream service Sundays at 10:45AM. We also will begin livestreaming our 11AM Wednesday service (now with music) as well. Both can be accessed here: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulsepiscopalpgh/.
- Access to the St. Paul’s building – we are limiting access to the building right now. In accordance with health guidelines some employees will be working remotely when possible. If the building is unlocked, only the Mayfair entrance will be open, and we ask you to immediately go and wash your hands in the sink in the kitchen when you enter the building. As many of us are working remotely when possible, please try to use email as the primary form of communication with parish staff. All email addresses are on the parish website.
- Pastoral Care for members of our community – Laura continues to coordinate this aspect of our parish life. If you are healthy and able to help (run errands, offer rides, prepare meals) for members of our parish who are homebound during the pandemic, please send your name, the best way to contact you and how you would like to help to Laura- [email protected]. If you are in need of anything at this time (meals, rides, errands) please contact the church at the Pastoral Care Hotline! The Pastoral Care Hotline is available 24/7 do not hesitate to call it with any requests: (412) 531-7153, press 5. Also, please let Laura and I know if you are sick. We have many more people willing to help, that requests for needs at this time, though that may change in the coming weeks.
- Prayer – If you would like to join our team who are praying for the needs of the parish, please let Laura know. A weekly email is sent out to this group with your prayer requests. Please let Laura or I know how we can pray for you at this time.
- Children and Youth, Kristen Morgan sent out last weekend faith formation materials for home. There will be more sent out this week, including videos of members of our community do Godly Play lessons. If you are not on Kristen Morgan’s email list, email her at [email protected]. Luke Zerra will be meeting with our youth and confirmation classes online as well.
- Chaplain the Health Care Workers – the Reverend Cat Munz, one of our Priest Associates, has agreed to serve as our Chaplain to Health Care Workers. She will be available for pastoral care and support for those working in this field. She will send a weekly email to those in our parish who work in that field and convene a weekly online conversation with them and be available for prayer and counsel. We have pulled together a list of those who work in the field – if you would like to be added to the list please contact Laura at [email protected]. Cat can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at (724) 799-9929.
- Outreach ministries – we are in communication with our community partners about how we can support them and fill any gaps they may have at this time. We will offer extended support to the South Hill Food Pantry as they work to ensure that their supply of food is uninterrupted. We will also be helping to provide about 150 daily lunches through the Carnegie Collaborative, which we supported last summer. They have modified their programming to offer a lunch pick-up station to avoid gathering large groups. Additionally, we will be buying and assembling weekend bags for the same kids to take home to cover some of the needs over the weekend. If you would like to help support any of these ministries, please reach out to Andrea at [email protected] for more information.
There are many ways to connect throughout the week using Zoom. Please take a look at the emails sent out throughout the week for link and opportunities.
Staying connected with one another – Please join me in continuing being in touch with one another, especially the elderly and the sick. We believe that someone from our Pastoral Care Commission has reached out to everyone without email at this time. If you think anyone was missed, please let Laura know. Please like our facebook page, and if you have not done so, join our facebook group, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1868048746741957/ both which are great ways to be in touch with one another.
We are all learning as we go with this, so thank you for your patience. Please continue to pray for me, members or our staff and lay leadership as I continue to pray for you at this time.
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