Category: Parish Life

God’s family at the Church of the Redeemer,

I am reminded in the last several days of the Beatitude the Gospel-writers forgot:

Blessed are the flexible, for they shall never be bent out of shape.

As we continue to monitor the situation and plan accordingly, I wanted to update you on what the plan is for Church of the Redeemer. As you no doubt already have heard, the Governor has banned all events of 250 or more people (phew, just missed us) and Public Health—Seattke and King County has banned all events of less than 250 that do not meet the following requirements (New Limits on Large Gatherings, Other Emergency Strategies to Slow the Spread of COVID-19):

• Older and vulnerable individuals have been encouraged not to attend.
• Recommendations for social distancing and limiting close contact are met.
• Employees or volunteers leading an event are screened for symptoms each day.
• Proper hand washing, sanitation, and cleaning is readily available.
• Environmental cleaning guidelines are followed (that is, clean and disinfect high touch surfaces daily or more frequently).

There are several churches throughout the Seattle Metro area which have chosen to close their buildings and move to virtual meetings, including St. Marks Cathedral. It is my intention to continue to open Church of the Redeemer to God’s people unless and until told to close by the Bishop or Public Health. That could be as soon as tomorrow (Insert joke about giving up church for Lent here) or never.

Until then, the policy of attendance at Redeemer is to use your best judgement about whether attendance in person is best for your own health and well being. Do Not Come to Church if You Are Sick!

Additionally, following the instructions of Public Health—Seattle and King County:

• There is no education, adult or children’s, at the church until further notice. We are working diligently to find alternative methods of education.
• Please give thorough and serious consideration as to whether in person attendance is worth it if you are 60+, have an underlying health condition, or are in any way immunocompromised.
• Those who do attend worship in person should practice social distancing, remaining 6 feet from any other person. As luck would have it, the benches that make up our pews are five feet long. So leave a little further than a bench length between you and your neighbor.
• All other precautions, such as no chalice, frequent washing or sanitizing of hands, and so forth, continue.

Blessed are the flexible, the gospel writers forgot to add, yes that seems about right. I feel confident that this will not be the last time that I write to you this week. As I said in a previous email, please continue to pray for each other, for Church of the Redeemer, for the most vulnerable in the greater Seattle area, and especially for healthcare providers who are bearing the brunt of this pandemic. And, remember the words of the Apostle Paul,

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:31,35,37-38)

May Christ’s Peace and Love be with each of you,

Fr. Jed

Church of the Redeemer

Welcome to Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.

Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. The campus is a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.

The Episcopal Church welcomes you.

From the Most Reverend Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, about coronavirus and COVID-19:

In this time when we are all affected by the coronavirus, whether directly or indirectly, whether physically, biologically, psychologically, spiritually, and for many economically, it may be helpful to remember that we’re in this together.

Jesus came among us in the first place, to show us the way to be right and reconcile with the God who is the creator of us all, and right and reconciled with each other as children of this one god who has created us all, and therefore as sisters, brothers, and siblings, one of another.

Jesus came to show us how to be in a relationship with God and in relationship with each other, came to show us how to live not simply as collections of individual self-interest, but how to live as the human family of God. That’s why he said love the Lord your God, love your neighbor as yourself. Because in that is hope for all of us to be the human family of God.

I was in Cuba the last few days with Bishop Griselda and the good people of the diocese there as we received and welcomed them as a full part of The Episcopal Church. A while back when she spoke to the last diocesan synod before they became part of The Episcopal Church, she said, and I quote, “The reason we must become part of The Episcopal Church is so that we can be part of a big family.” She spoke by prophecy. We are all part of a big family. Bigger than our biological families, bigger than our immediate families, bigger than our congregations, bigger than our dioceses, bigger than our cities, our states, our nation.

We are part of the human family of God. Jesus came to show us that his way of love is the way of life. It’s God’s human family.

We are in a time when remembering that may be important for all of us.

We are in this together.

What affects some directly affects all indirectly.

We are part of a family. The human family of God.

Just over the weekend the head of the World Health Organization, said this, and I quote, “We have seen this coming for years. Now is the time to act. This is not a drill. This epidemic can be pushed back, but only with collective, coordinated, and comprehensive approach by us all.”

It takes us all. We are family.

And then one of the spokespersons for the European Union, speaking to the member states said this, and I paraphrase: We must share our resources and our information. It is not the possession of any one nation.

In each of those calls, and in the calls of many of our leaders, we have heard again and again, that we are in this together, we can walk through this together, and we will find our way in our life together.

So look out for your neighbors, look out for each other. Look out for yourselves. Listen to those who have knowledge that can help to guide us medically and help to guide us socially. Do everything that we can to do this together, to respond to each other’s needs and to respond to our own needs.

Walk together children, don’t get weary, because there’s a great camp meeting in the promised land.

Allow me to close with this prayer found on the website of Episcopal Relief & Development, where there are resources and where information can be found.

God of the present moment,
God who in Jesus stills the storm
and soothes the frantic heart;
bring hope and courage to all
who wait or work in uncertainty.

Bring hope that you will make them the equal
of whatever lies ahead.

Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided,
for your will is health and wholeness;
you are God, and we need you.

This we pray in Christ our Lord. Amen.

God love you. God bless you. May God hold us all in those almighty hands of love.

Concerning-COVID19 | Episcopal Church

Faith-Based Response to Epidemics from Episcopal Relief & Development

An epidemic is a large-scale outbreak of an infectious disease, such as influenza or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

• Role of Churches, Dioceses and Compassionate Christians
  • Combat fear with knowledge in order to encourage preparedness and decrease stigma.
  • Maintain operational continuity and continue worship life in the case of potential quarantine and disruption.
  • Show God’s compassion and care to those in our communities who are affected.

These are general guidelines; decisions should be made in collaboration with Church leadership and health authorities, based on local practices and safety concerns.

• General guidelines for churches and dioceses 
  • Connect with local public health authorities to learn about the level of risk in your area and what restrictions are in place
  • Provide tissues and no-touch disposal receptacles for use.
  • Say a prayer during service for people who are ill and mail prayer cards to their homes.
  • Perform routine environmental cleaning in the sanctuary, kitchen hall and other spaces where people gather.
  • Bolster outreach ministries to prepare to help low-income hourly workers who call out of work. Encourage those who may consider going to work for the sake of income to stay home because you can offer assistance.
  • Remind people to cover mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough, wash hands after coughing, sneezing, handling diapers, preparing food or using the bathroom and to stay home if feeling ill.
• Safe measures and equity for church workers
  • Sick leave policies should be flexible, non-punitive and consistent with public health guidance. and Employees should be made aware of the policies, realizing that employees may need to take time off for themselves or to care for loved ones in their household.
  • Do not require a healthcare provider’s note for employees who are sick with acute respiratory illness to validate their illness or to return to work–healthcare provider offices are extremely busy and may recommend that people only come in if absolutely necessary.
  • Provide disposable wipes for employees to clean off surfaces like laptops and desks.
  • Perform routine environmental cleaning in the office.

View the full Episcopal Relief & Development Resource Guide.

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For more information about COVID-19

For more information about COVID-19, see the following:

• Centers for Disease Control
  • Share Facts About COVID-19
  • Interim Guidance: Get Your Household Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  • Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
• Local information
  • Public Health—Seattle and King County (including Facebook)
    • Novel Coronavirus fact sheet
  • Snohomish Health District (including Facebook)
  • Washington State Department of Health (including Facebook)
  • COVID-19 Response in the Diocese of Olympia

Church of the Redeemer

Welcome to Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.

Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. The campus is a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.

The Episcopal Church welcomes you.

The situation in western Washington with regards to COVID-19 has been evolving rapidly over the last several days, as has the response of the parish and diocese. After conversations with Public Health—Seattle and King County, the Bishop has initiated several requirements for all churches in the Diocese of Olympia:

Diocesan Guidance for COVID-19

This is current as of Thursday, March 5, 2020.

1. The use of the common cup in the Eucharist is suspended until further notice. Communion will be distributed by the priest only. Priests must wash or sanitize hands directly prior to administering the sacrament. (Insert giving up communion wine for Lent jokes as necessary.)
2. The Peace must be exchanged without touching. The bishop recommended “Practice bowing, making a prayerful sign to the other person, looking at them lovingly and offering the Peace, but then moving on without touching.”
3. Holy “water fonts and stoups must be emptied. (Luckily our practice in Lent is to do just that.) If you need holy water from Church of the Redeemer, please make a request of Fr. Jed.
4. There is to be no passing of the offering plate. (Again not an issue for us at Redeemer.) The plate will continue to be placed on the offering table at the back of the nave (congregational seating area) as you enter.
5. There will be no food at coffee hour until further notice. There will still be coffee. (We are not barbarians.)

Additional steps for COVID-19 at Church of the Redeemer

In addition to the above steps from the Diocese, Church of the Redeemer is taking additional steps regarding COVID-19 as of March 5, 2020:

1. All classes, including Adult Education, Deepening Faith, Godly Play, and Building Faith Brick by Brick, are cancelled for this Sunday, March 5, 2020. Further updates will continue next week as to if further cancellations will be necessary.
2. All commonly touched surfaces will be wiped down with a bleach solution Thursday and Friday, March 5 and 6, as well as by our janitorial service on Saturday. All rental groups will be required to do the same at the end of their meetings, if they happen at all.

Most importantly…

Public Health—Seattle and King County has requested that all people over the age of 60, as well as all people with underlying health conditions, refrain from attending gatherings of 10 or more. Yes, the 8:00 am service has is more than 10 people.

Please use your best judgement as to whether you attend church this Sunday. If you are sick in any way, please, do not come to church. God will understand.

Virtual Church

We are working to find digital means to include those who choose not to be apart of the physical gathering of church on Sunday by other means, such as posting sermons and creating liturgies that can be prayed in solidarity at a distance. Please continue to visit the website and our social media platforms for more updates about distance and virtual parish participation, as well as updates as this situation progresses.

Be not a-feared

It is difficult not to succumb to fear and anxiety when the whole world seems to be awash in it. But, when we feel these feelings, we must remember that God is more powerful and knowing even than the coronavirus and cares for us and will see us through this as well.

The Almighty Lord, who is a strong tower to all who impart their trust, to whom all things in heaven, on earth, and under the earth bow and obey: Be now and evermore your defense, and make you know and feel that the only Name under heaven given for health and salvation is the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

For more information

For more information about COVID-19, see the following:

• Centers for Disease Control
  • Share Facts About COVID-19
  • Interim Guidance: Get Your Household Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  • Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
• Local information
  • • Public Health—Seattle and King County (including Facebook)
      • Novel Coronavirus fact sheet
    • Snohomish Health District (including Facebook)
    • Washington State Department of Health (including Facebook)
    • COVID-19 Response in the Diocese of Olympia

Church of the Redeemer

Welcome to Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.

Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. The campus is a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.

The Episcopal Church welcomes you.

To prevent the spread all viruses, including COVID-19, do the following:

• Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds (sing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”) while using soap and water.
• Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available or in between hand washings.
• Face masks are for your use only in the event of your illness to keep germs in, not out.
• The common cup or communion in one kind is safer than intinction.
• You may wish someone peace without shaking their hand or hugging.
• If you are concerned about an oncoming illness, call a healthcare provider before going to urgent care, a walk-in clinic, or the emergency room.

Some background on COVID-19

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the outbreak of a new respiratory disease caused by a coronavirus that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, and which has now been detected in at least 57 locations internationally, including cases in the United States. The virus itself has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019″ (abbreviated “COVID-19”).

The first case of the coronavirus in Washington State appeared in Everett in January 2020. On Saturday, February 29, 2020, the Washington State Department of Health and Public Health—Seattle and King County officials reported the first death from the virus in our state, a man with underlying health conditions.

Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency in response to new cases of COVID-19. He issued a proclamation that directs state agencies and departments to utilize state resources and do everything reasonably possible to assist affected communities responding to and recovering from COVID-19 cases. Such a proclamation is normative and necessary in order to activate statewide resources and access necessary funds in order to support our communities and effectively respond to needs and expand preventative measures.

Symptoms and severity of the virus

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed COVID-19 cases. Based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses, symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure and include the following:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

The elderly, young children, and those individuals with compromised immune systems can be especially vulnerable.

If you believe that you may be experiencing symptoms, it is very important for you to be tested for COVID-19. However, before you go to your physician’s office, walk-in clinic, or to the emergency depoartment of your local hospital, the CDC advises that you call ahead in order to speak with a medical care provider. They will want to put necessary protocols in place to receive you, including providing appropriate barrier protection in their facility and for their healthcare workers.

Healthy practices at church

Communion

The CDC has stated that “…no documented transmission of any infectious disease has ever been traced to the use of the common cup…”. This due to the fact that alcohol kills viruses. Further, the minister handling the chalice wipes both the inside and outside edge of the chalice and turns the chalice edge while wiping the edge in between serving each communicant with a clean part of the purifcator (linen).

Those receiving the cup should remember not to touch the bowl of the cup with their hands, but rather place a hand beneath the base of the chalice in order to help the Eucharistic minister guide it to the communicant’s lips.

Intinction (dipping the bread in the cup of wine) by the communicant is strongly discouraged.

Alternatively, receiving the sacrament in one kind (meaning just the bread or just the wine) has always been, and continues to be, an acceptable alternative for communicants. We want to offer this option for those who prefer it since it too has a precedent in our tradition.

The Peace

At the time of Peace, the common practice has been that members of the congregation greet each other with a handshake, or even an embrace or kiss. Unfortunately, this is a prime opportunity for the spread of germs.

Therefore, graceful understanding should be extended to those who do not wish to have direct physical contact with their fellow worshipers, either because of their vulnerability to infection or their concern about their own state of health.

Our congregants may notice that members of the liturgical party frequently bow to one another, such as when the children bring forward the offering, as a sign of mutual acknowledgement, respect, and gratitude during preparations of the altar for communion. Members of the congregation may want to consider the option of respectfully bowing towards one another at the time of Peace with this same intention in mind.

Acknowledgement

Most of the above text comes from Trinity Episcopal Church in Everett, Washington.

Please continue to follow Church of the Redeemer’s website and Social Media for more updates, as they become necessary.

For more information about COVID-19, see the following:

• Centers for Disease Control
  • Share Facts About COVID-19
  • Interim Guidance: Get Your Household Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  • Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
• Local information
  • Public Health—Seattle and King County (including Facebook)
    • Novel Coronavirus fact sheet
  • Snohomish Health District (including Facebook)
  • Washington State Department of Health (including Facebook)
  • COVID-19 Response in the Diocese of Olympia

Church of the Redeemer

Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.

Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. We are a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.

The Episcopal Church welcomes you.