We are all missing worshipping in our beloved building at the corner of Somerset and Bell Streets, and we acknowledge how important that space is. While news about vaccines is encouraging, we must still move forward with an abundance of caution in these next weeks and months. With this in mind, the Bishop’s Office will make an announcement on March 24th, 2021, about whether we’ll move to the AMBER phase of our Diocesan pandemic response for Holy Week and Easter. (Palm Sunday is March 28th, 2021, and Easter Sunday is April 4th, 2021.) If we move into AMBER, it will mean that in-person worship will be permitted again, with restrictions, and safety protocols and procedures in place.

The best we can do in the midst of all the “ifs” and unknowns is to consider different options.  Please know that these options are offered as these pandemic days continue, and be assured that we will reach a “new normal” that will include resuming the worship and ministry we love, in the space we love, with the community we love, at St. Luke’s.

One option, if we move to AMBER for Holy Week, is to resume in-person worship at St. Luke’s with safety protocols and procedures in place. Some things to keep in mind when considering this option include:

• St. Luke’s Table will still be operating upstairs Monday through Saturday. With that in mind, arrangements have been made for St. Luke’s Table staff to be available on a Sunday morning if and when we move to AMBER, to greet those who may come in on a Sunday morning looking for St. Luke’s Table services and support.
• Cleaning will be arranged, but we will be looking for volunteers to assist with setting up the space on Sunday mornings.
• Construction is still ongoing in the basement, and the Somerset Street door (and therefore the elevator) may not be accessible. Please note that the renovations in the basement are progressing, but that progress is slower than we had hoped it would be. The projected end date is currently the end of April. Please also note that St. Luke’s Table will move back down to the basement as soon as soon as renovations permit.

Another option is for St. Luke’s to worship in-person at the Cathedral if we move to AMBER for Holy Week. As you know, St. Luke’s has been partnering with Christ Church Cathedral for Sunday morning live-streaming since we went into lockdown on December 26th, 2020. This has been a blessing, as the Cathedral is much better equipped in terms of technology and expertise for live-streaming. Worshipping in-person at the Cathedral is offered as an option because the Cathedral is a much bigger space, making physical distancing easier. Cathedral clergy and wardens have indicated that they are happy to accommodate St. Luke’s for in-person worship during the AMBER phase, meaning that Victoria, and a St Luke’s reader would be included on the Cathedral roster. Live-streaming will continue from the Cathedral in AMBER.

You do, of course, still have the option in AMBER of continuing to worship online, either with the Cathedral live-stream, or using one of the many online resources that are available.

St. Luke’s will continue to partner with the Cathedral for Sunday morning live-streaming as long as we remain in the RED phase of our Diocesan pandemic response.
 
Your response to this survey is an important part of our decision-making process. Thank you for responding at your earliest convenience.
 
Thank you also for your patience and understanding in these challenging days, and in this phase of not yet knowing what comes next in our pandemic response. As we’ve said, we will reach a “new normal” on our beloved corner of Somerset and Bell Streets, and may we all find hope in looking forward to that.

Blessings to you all,
 
The Rev. Victoria Scott, Incumbent
Sarah Whitehead, Rector’s Warden
Helen Cathcart, People’s Warden
John Price, Special Advisor to Corporation