Ecclesiastes 3 tells us, “To every thing there is a season.” Yet here we are, in our sixth change of seasons since COVID-19 became part of our lives in the spring of 2020. It has been a very long season indeed. We are still masking and distancing, and too many in the U.S. and the rest of the world remain unvaccinated. It’s tempting to identify with Bill Murray’s character who, in the 1993 film “Groundhog Day,” wakes up every day to see that this day is exactly the same as the day before. But we are in fact blessed with much good news, and you will hear more about that at this Sunday’s Forum. The Reverend Peter Thompson leads a conversation with eight St Bart’s parishioners who have worked in the front lines as chaplains, mental health therapists, advanced practice nurses, or physicians. Some have been providing direct care, while others have helped to shape policy and procedures. Together this group will give an overview of where we stand now with COVID-19, describe how they have cared for others during the pandemic, and share insight into how this pandemic has magnified cultural and socio-economic disparities. These eight parishioners are just a few of the many at St. Bart’s whose work has intersected directly with COVID-19 in myriad ways.
That we can gather in person for worship is another example of good news, for which we can thank our clergy and staff. For each service, our clergy examines the complicated choreography, considering people’s movements through the entrance doors and on to the narthex, nave, chancel, and rooms where preparations and vesting occur. Once the clergy restructure the movements and spaces to optimize safety, our dedicated Facilities and Security staff, led by Director of Facilities Corey Durney, puts the physical pieces into place. All this represents hundreds of decisions large and small, ultimately producing services that look smooth and natural. We owe the clergy and Facilities staff much gratitude for their work in this extraordinary time. Next time you see any of these dedicated St. Bart’s people, I invite you to take the opportunity to thank them.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, cases have fallen in New York and many other parts of the US. We should celebrate that we are no longer living the “Groundhog Day” movie, and it is (unofficially) no longer “Blursday.” But we need to maintain our vigilance; it is not time to relax basic precautions. By getting vaccinated, continuing to mask and distance when appropriate, and staying home (and getting tested) when we have any symptoms potentially due to COVID-19, we are part of the St. Bart’s teamwork which creates a safe space for our clergy, our staff, and our wider community.