Regathering Message

The most important thing for you to know is that I remain available to you through the pastoral care line (410) 470-5539 no matter what rules are put in place by authorities. While the loving Spirit of God is always waiting for you in your own prayers, I am honored to support you in that in whatever way I can. Now for the news.

On May 8th we initiated planning for our return to worshiping in person. A group of clergy, lay leaders, and staff gathered to review the guidelines provided by the Dioceses of Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC—a link to that document is here—and begin considering how we will resume all our in-person ministries. Bishop Sutton has informed us that he will not allow parishes to resume in-person worship until we have a written plan in place that conforms to these guidelines.

Maryland authorities will most likely allow our largest ministries, the Surprise Shop and Trinity Preschool, to resume operations soonest. Erin Woodward and Peggy Weller have already begun a plan with the shop board, as has Amanda Dean with her team and the school board. Beginning this week, we will start drawing up a phased plan for resuming worship, formation, and in-person pastoral care.

Trinity’s “Regathering Task Force” includes your wardens, church staff and clergy plus Eric Bass, Melissa Jenkins, and Joel Moore. We will work in consultation with your Vestry and with you by survey over the next 2-3 weeks. We will be assessing

• how we adapt our mission to a COVID-19 reality,
• what recommendations to make specific to religious services,
• how we best protect and involve our most vulnerable members,
• how to maintain unity while making multiple options available to members of the congregation with differing levels of comfort/vulnerability,
• and how to communicate information as decisions are made.

From there we will draw up a phased plan that takes into account the likelihood of additional waves of viral outbreak over the coming months. This will include not only how we orchestrate liturgy, but putting in place permanent online options for worship and formation—especially education in how to participate in online community! I welcome your comments, questions, and concerns. Most of all I thank you for your prayers and your faithfulness.

Meanwhile, please know that you are in my prayers, and that we will get through this together. Our God is the source of Resurrection, and out of this shadowed valley new life will surely grow.

in peace,

April 6, 2020

Dear members of the Trinity Towson family,

I am sending out this letter to clarify and advise how we are to use our various buildings during this time of the COVID-19 outbreak and Governor Hogan’s Stay-at-Home order.

At this time, we are closed to the public.

• Public worship is suspended until at least May 16, 2020.
• The church office is closed to the public until at least May 17, 2020.
• Trinity Episcopal Preschool is closed through April 24, 2020.
• The Surprise shop is also closed through April 24, 2020.
• All outside community activities are suspended until at least May 17.

The following activities are currently the only legitimate uses of our buildings, in compliance with Bishop Sutton’s and Governor Hogan’s directives.

• ACTC is using our Guild Room. Pat Shaw and Cathy Evans have access to the building during the week, but the bulk of the work happens:
  • Wednesdays, when the Maryland Food Bank makes its delivery, and 5 volunteers unload food into the Guild Room,
  • Sundays, when 5-7 volunteers are packing bags to take over to ACTC for distribution throughout the week.
  • All volunteers are wearing masks and gloves.
• Staff members are coming in as needed, but mostly working from home.
  • Hardwick, Kathleen and I (plus my wife Mary) come in to live stream Sunday evening worship. Some of our professional choir members are sometimes participating. Kathleen is also streaming Godly Play. At most we are 7 per gathering and are all strictly maintaining the recommended distance of 6 ft.
  • Jen and Jill come in occasionally to pick up mail, etc.
  • Luis is using this time to do deep cleaning of all our buildings.
  • Trinity the Cat is practicing exemplary social distancing but thriving under the care of her extensive fan base.

Thank you for honoring these restrictions. Please take some time to pray for a swift end to this crisis, and that we all find patience, compassion, and strength in the meantime. Stay home, stay safe, stay healthy, and know that God remains with us through it all.

In peace,

Covid-19 is in Maryland.
Here is information for you to keep healthy during this outbreak.

What does it look like if you have it?

• Most people (80%) have fever, cough and cold/flu symptoms.
• 20% are sick enough to require hospital care, and half of these people need ICU care.

Coronavirus mortality risk

• According to Dr. Eric Bass “estimates are changing day to day as we obtain more information.”
• We do know that “the fatality rates increase with age, to about 10% in people over age 70.”
• “Although fatality rates are much lower in young people, we’re hearing more reports of deaths in young people because so many people have the infection.”

Covid-19 is 30 times more deadly than influenza.

How it spreads

• Coronavirus is very contagious. It’s transmitted by droplets (sneeze/cough), or contact.
• It stays on hard surfaces (doorknobs, elevator buttons, credit card keypads) for up to 9 days.
• Infected people carry the virus for 2-14 days before they get sick. They feel and look fine, but they are contagious this whole time.

Waiting until there is significant illness in your community is too late
because you can’t tell who is sick – and neither can they.

Is all this concern overblown?

• Coronavirus is unlike any infection we’ve seen in over 100 years. It spreads faster, affects more people, and is more contagious than flu.
• As of April 6, 2020, there were 4,045 in Maryland alone.

Half to two-thirds of US population is expected to develop COVID19.
The US healthcare system is already getting overwhelmed.

What can we do?

Slowing the spread and “flattening the curve” will help to slow the rate we are overwhelming hospitals.

What to do to flatten the curve?

1. Stay home now, whether you are healthy or ill.
2. Avoid public places.
3. Wash your hands
4. Don’t touch your face.
5. No play dates, sleepovers, or visiting.
6. Shop online, or limit grocery store visits.
7. Stay 6 feet away from people. You may have to ask them to back up.
8. Wash your hands immediately when you reenter your home.

If you get sick…

1. Stay at home.
2. Use a separate room (if possible) to protect your family
3. Call your doctor / health team if you have a fever, especially if they have a new cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, muscle aches, or sudden loss of smell or taste, or if you have any symptoms and been exposed to someone with test-confirmed COVID-19.
4. It is particularly important to seek medical advice if there is shortness of breath at rest.

So what is safe?

• Outdoor activities like walking, jogging, biking, hiking, or gardening are fine as long as you are 6 feet away from others.
• It is also recommended that you wear a mask over your nose and mouth.
• STAY HOME, call a friend, and pray with your fellow parishioners online.

Use your influence:

To encourage people to practice healthy behaviors like

• Staying Home,
• Handwashing,
• Keeping Physical Distance if you must go out, and
• Staying Socially Connected by Phone and Internet.

With God’s help and these sensible strategies, we should be able to save lives and come through this crisis with our health and wellbeing intact.  Keep the Faith!

For pastoral emergencies please call

Mother Rhetta at 443-470-5539