Message from Rector Trinity Church Ashland-- Church Services Cancelled

Loved Ones,

After many discussions with the various stakeholders in the parish, prayer, and discernment, and out of an abundance of caution for protecting the health of our largely aging congregation, many of whom have underlying health challenges, I have decided that effective immediately, all public worship at Trinity Church Ashland is cancelled, at least until the end of March. 

We will live stream simplified Sunday Morning Services at 10 am on Facebook Live.  Go to www.facebook.com and use the search function to find the Trinity Church Ashland Facebook page.  The video link for live-streaming will show up its main feed below the initial info blurbs.  You do not have to have a Facebook account to watch—the page will ask you if you want to join and all you have to do  respond is “No, Thanks” (it may ask you twice, just answer “No Thanks” each time).  This Sunday morning, March 15, we will be having a sung morning prayer service chanted by Fr. Tony using the Sunday Eucharistic readings, with prelude and postlude by Jodi French and a homily by the Rev. Deacon Meredith Pech.  We will send out the order of service to you all beforehand.   In coming weeks we hope to record and post the services so that if you miss the live stream you can still attend.  All are also invited to attend the virtual eucharist at Washington National Cathedral, Sunday March 15, 2020, at 8:15 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUGZLwnLhUU&feature=youtu.be Trinity Cathedral in Portland will be posting homilies, services, and Godly Play Stories:  https://www.trinity-episcopal.org/coronavirus

Public health officials are telling us to create greater social distance—try to stay a meter or so away from others if possible, since Covid-19 is spread through respiratory droplets inhaled after someone sneezes of coughs or picked up from surfaces on which they land and then spread to the mouth and nose by touching.  Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, scrubbing with lots of suds for the amount of time it takes to sing the Doxology (“Praise God from whom all blessings flow…”) twice.  If you are sick, stay home. 

Small groups at Trinity (Bible Study, Sewing Women, etc.) will continue at this time with added social distancing precautions in place.  Our Sunday Morning Lenten forums on prayer will be postponed until after this period since many of the remaining subjects involve hands-on teaching.  If you want them now, pick up the brochures and rosaries at the Parish Office.  Our Wednesday evening Lenten Soup Suppers are cancelled, but I will send out a link to the “Signs of Life” video to watch on-line at 6 pm Wednesdays and will send out a link to a Zoom remote conference to discuss the video and pray Compline.     

As we distance ourselves from others, it is important to keep up good mental health practices to keep us from becoming depressed or overly isolated.  Experts in mood management recently sent out the following:  

“It’s important to note that we are not helpless in light of current news events.  We can always choose our response.  If you are struggling, here are some things you can do to take care of your mental health in the face of uncertainty:

1.    Separate what is in your control from what is not. There are things you can do, and it’s helpful to focus on those.  Wash your hands.  Remind others to wash theirs. Take your vitamins. Limit your consumption of news (Do you really need to know what is happening on a cruise ship you aren’t on?).

2.    Do what helps you feel a sense of safety. This will be different for everyone, and it’s important not to compare yourself to others.  It’s ok if you’ve decided what makes you feel safe is to limit attendance of large social events, but make sure you separate when you are isolating based on potential for sickness versus isolating because it’s part of depression.

3.    Get outside in nature–even if you are avoiding crowds. I took a walk yesterday afternoon in my neighborhood with my daughter.  The sun was shining, we got our dose of vitamin D, and it felt good to both get some fresh air and quality time together.   Exercise also helps both your physical and mental health.

4.    Challenge yourself to stay in the present. Perhaps your worry is compounding—you are not only thinking about what is currently happening, but also projecting into the future. When you find yourself worrying about something that hasn’t happened, gently bring yourself back to the present moment.  Notice the sights, sounds, tastes and other sensory experiences in your immediate moment and name them. Engaging in mindfulness activities is one way to help stay grounded when things feel beyond your control.

5.    Stay connected and reach out if you need more support. Talk to trusted friends about what you are feeling. If you are feeling particularly anxious or if you are struggling with your mental health, it’s ok to reach out to a mental health professional for support.  You don’t have to be alone with your worry and it can be comforting to share what you are experiencing with those trained to help.” (The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention).   

The Help Line is one way to reach out:  541-779-4357 or 1-855-216-2111.  Also think of calling us at the Church offices or on my cell phone.  The off-hours emergency Pastoral Care line is 541-631-8213.  Next week, I will be meeting with the Parish Pastoral Care Team to try to develop a more robust way of having isolated parishioners keep in touch with each other and provide emergency help. 

Grace and Peace. 

Fr. Tony+

+++

A Litany in Time of Contagion

V. Loving God, source of all health and strength:

R. You are our refuge and strength, our very present help in time of trouble.

V. We humbly pray for help, guidance, and sustenance as we and our siblings throughout the world

R. Face the threat and danger of pandemic illness.

V. We ask your protection against this illness

R.  That has claimed many lives and has affected many more.

V. We pray for grace for those tasked with studying the nature and cause of this illness

R. And of stemming the tide of its transmission.

V. Guide caregivers that they may minister to the sick with courage, competence, and compassion:

R.  Protect them and keep them well.

V. Bless the governmental and private agencies charged with finding a cure and  stemming this pandemic,

R. Help them give true and wise guidance to all.

V. Bless the afflicted that they not suffer

R. And may be restored to health soon.

V. Bless those in quarantine and social distance

R. That they not transmit nor contract the illness, nor become depressed,

V. Help them find their isolation

R. An occasion of respite, rest, and healing.

V. We pray for the souls of those who have died,

R.  And for their families, friends, and communities.

V. We pray for those who write what many read and say what many hear

R.  That they may speak truth based on considered facts and not pass ill-founded rumor.

V. We pray that we all may carefully follow public health and medical advice

R.  That we may slow the spread of the illness and be spared its ravages.

V. We pray that the economic life, livelihoods, and community life of the regions affected,

R. May all be speedily restored.

V. Grant us the grace to have compassion and determination

R.  To work for the good of all and to help those in need. 

All:  Grant this through Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord, Who healed those who came to him and comforted those in grief and fear, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.