After weeks in the Yellow Tier of activity during the pandemic, here is an update on where we are as All Saints Church as we plan for returning to in-person worship and on-campus gathering:

• We continue to update our COVID protocols (https://allsaints-pas.org/all-saints-updated-covid-19-protocols/) using state, local and diocesan regulations, a well as the direction of Dr. Nicole Gatto, ASC parishioner, epidemiologist and associate professor in the School of Community and Global Health at Claremont Graduate University. You can expect an updated version of those protocols soon, to be posted on the website (the last update was March 30)

• Our goal remains what has been set by the Bishop, which is a return to masked, distanced, indoor, in-person worship by mid-September (Homecoming). Staff is hard at work on an incremental process that will lead us to achieving that goal and returning to other in-person activities on campus.

• You gave us great response to the parish-wide survey in which you told us you are excited to get back together, you are grateful for the caution we have taken, and with vaccination, masking, distancing, and common sense risk reduction, you are comfortable gathering again for in-person worship.

One of the joys of All Saints Church is that we are a large, vibrant community. That also creates special challenges in returning to in-person gathering. We appreciate both everyone’s passion for returning to in-person worship and your patience as we work together to do it safely, and in alignment with our values and the Gospel call to love our neighbors as ourselves. One of the ways we live that out is by protecting our most vulnerable neighbors through vaccination.

As we approach full gatherings in the fall, we strongly encourage all who are medically able to get vaccinated. Becoming as close to full vaccination of our community as possible protects all of us, but particularly those who cannot for medical reasons receive the vaccine. We can come together in the greatest comfort, safety and radical inclusion, with our sleeves rolled up and antibodies strong. (You can make an appointment for a vaccination today here!)

See the official updated protocols.

Loving God, we pray for this church community in this time of challenge. Deliver us from simply desiring to go “back to normal,” and give us grace instead to be open to the opportunities that your Spirit brings in this time of separation. Grant that we may come out of this crisis with open eyes, more fully available to the needs of those most vulnerable and those whose labor we have always depended on. Give us creative hearts to embrace and carry forward the new ways we have found to connect with one another; and in your good time bring us safely back together as a people renewed in the knowledge of your faithfulness and abiding love and strengthened for the work ahead. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.