As I mentioned in the annual meeting, my goal over the next six months is to reach out to the ministries at St. Michael’s and begin discussing how and when we restart various aspects.  COVID-19 metrics continue to be good in our region, and we are able to easily worship with 50 in the nave (25% capacity) with masks and individual communion cups.  As more and more people receive the vaccine, I imagine that the restrictions on us from the diocese and the governor will continue to lessen, and we will get to slowly resume some of our church’s many activities.  

                This is where I so desperately need your help: as you all know, we have reduced our staff this year in response to the changes COVID-19 has brought in attendance and giving.  We are also saying good-bye to Mother Lisa this Sunday and will be looking to the future with one full-time priest. I am ever reminded of just how much our common life depends upon you, our volunteers and lay leadership.  Without you, it will be nearly impossible to reopen St. Michael’s.  And so I am asking you, if you feel safe in worship with 50 people wearing masks, consider volunteering once again to help with worship.  We need lectors, greeters and ushers, altar guild members, acolytes and LEMs… and everything in between; hopefully coffee hour will be back soon too!  When you are read and willing to return to in-person worship, please do so by reaching out to me or one of the leaders of these groups to also volunteer to be on a schedule to help serve.  

                I long for those big church services with lots of music, singing, (incense) and servers around the altar.  And we need your help to do that over the next year.  I say this almost every year, I think, but it bears repeating: you all decide, with your time, talent, and treasure, what St. Michael’s will be and can do.  I look forward to serving with you this next year, through all of what it may bring us, and discovering what God has in store for St. Michael’s.  While there is no question that COVID-19 will change us, it does not change the fact that God has a job for us and continues to walk with us through it all.  

Blessings, 
Jesse+