Updated Covid-19 Safety Protocol and Guidelines March 9, 2021 From Bishop Paul-Gordon Chandler Please find below updated safety protocol and guidelines. The Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming takes our safety seriously. Much has happened since the last Covid-19 protocol was issued in September 2020. Thankfully, there is a lot of encouragement on the horizon, related to both a significant drop in new cases as well as with increasing numbers of the population being vaccinated. We will continue to follow the most updated CDC findings. These guidelines are changing weekly, so we will continue to update our guidelines as needed. Of course, counties also differ in their recommended protocol as well. You will note that these new protocol and guidelines are considerably relaxed from what we previously were following. At the same time, we recognize that each church community is different, and we want to emphasize that each church should do what they feel most comfortable this time, and what they believe is most appropriate for their context. Due to fast-spreading Covid-19 variants that have been detected in Wyoming, we will continue mask-wearing and social distancing at this time. Foundational Procedures The updated Covid-19 protocol for our churches entails the following foundational procedures. 1) Face masks are still required in our churches at this time. 2) Social Distancing is still to be practiced (5 feet between persons) in worship. Worship Services Gathering for in-person worship in our churches should follow the below guidelines: During this phase of continued social-distancing, this means that people that are not members of the same household or in the same “bubble” are to be positioned in the pews/seats 5 feet apart. Seating in the pews/seats can be staggered to allow for each pew/row to be used, but to continue to ensure no one is sitting directly in front of another. Singing is now permitted with masks on. o Choirs should also observe the same social distancing guidelines. All congregants are requested to please continue to wear face masks throughout the entirety of the worship service, with the exception of consuming the Eucharistic bread/wine, when Holy Communion is celebrated, when back in their seats. 1 Those leading a worship service may do so without a mask if they maintain a 10-foot distance from others in front of them. It is still advised that there be minimal physical contact between congregants - such as when the peace is being exchanged. For the time being it is recommended that the offering not be collected by passing offering bags/plates, but rather that secure offering collection boxes/plates are made available in order to receive in-present offerings. We also encourage people to make their pledges, tithes and offering contributions by means of electronic bank transfer to the church account. For the present phase, when the Eucharist is celebrated, we request that the common cup still not be used. The below options are suggested ways forward for Holy Communion: 1- Only the bread/wafer be offered (which is considered a “full communion”), OR 2- Bread/wafers that are pre-infused with wine be used (as some churches have been doing), OR 3- Small pre-purchased packets with wine and bread be used, which much of the Anglican Communion has already been using (see: https://bit.ly/2N4pWxa), OR 4- See attached addendum for other creative suggestions. Those preparing the altar for worship should do so while following safety guidelines, such as wearing masks and sanitizing their hands prior to preparing the altar. Those celebrating and those assisting during the celebration of Eucharist should wash their hands and use hand sanitizer immediately before the Eucharistic prayer. It is helpful if this is done in the sight of the people. The bread/wafer that the celebrant breaks (touches directly) during the celebration of the Eucharist, is to be consumed only by the celebrant and not made part of the distributed elements. The clergy may remove their masks while celebrating (i.e. Eucharistic Prayer) if they are the recommended distance away from others (i.e. 10 feet from front pew/row), and if the bread (or small cups of bread and wine) that they will be distributing to the people is covered with a cloth while they are consecrating. The clergy and Eucharistic ministers are to wear masks during the distribution of Holy Communion to the people. When the consecrated piece of bread, wafer, wine-infused wafer, or small cups of bread and wine are distributed, the clergy/Eucharistic ministers should be careful not to touch the hand. If touching accidentally occurs, it is recommended that the person sanitize their hands again. 2 Congregants should return to their seats before lifting their masks to consume the bread (and wine, if small cups are used). The Presider should consume the consecrated priest host and wine after the congregants receive the sacrament and have returned to their seats. The Priest/Deacon/Eucharistic Minister should place any consecrated host on a credence table, to be removed and disposed of in an appropriate manner (not consumed), following the service. We encourage everyone to continue live-streaming their worship services, as this is likely a permanent extension of the outreach ministry of our churches. Vulnerable Persons that have not been vaccinated may wish to consider waiting to attend in-person worship until after they have been vaccinated. Coffee Hours, Fellowship Gatherings and Educational Programs In-person gatherings for fellowship (coffee/tea time, food, etc.) are permitted when masks are worn. However, if food is served, please ensure appropriate social distancing when the masks are down while eating and drinking. Kitchens and or serving areas should comply with current Wyoming Department of Health Guidelines for food service to maintain a safe serving environment. Church School programs and educational offerings can resume in-person when masks are worn with appropriate social distancing. We encourage everyone to continue to offer educational offerings virtually as well. Baptism Baptism is allowed as long as the priest wears a mask. Anointing Anointing with oil is now allowed. Children’s Ministry, Sunday School, Nurseries Nursery, Sunday School and/or children’s ministry operations can be open if proper protocols are maintained following the current Wyoming Department of Health guidelines for pre-schools. Note regarding Screening Screening is no longer required upon entering a church building. No needs to maintain log entries or take someone’s temperature anymore. Please contact Jessica Reynolds at the diocesan office with any questions. email: [email protected] 3 NEW IDEAS FOR HOLY COMMUNION during this period of Covid-19 At the present time, when the common cup is still not being used when the Eucharist is being celebrated in our churches, we wanted to share with you some options as suggested ways forward: 1- Only the bread/wafer be offered (which is considered a “full communion”). 2- Bread/wafers that are pre-infused with wine be used (as some churches have been doing). 3- Small pre-purchased packets with wine and bread be used - which much of the Anglican Communion has already been using (see: https://bit.ly/2N4pWxa). 4- Two similar alternatives, albeit slightly different, are being tried in some of our churches. Below are two write-ups from Rev. Megan Nickles in Powell and Rev. Jim Shumard in Casper. - From Rev. Megan Nickles from St. John’s Church in Powell During a webinar on liturgical formation this fall, a fellow participant brought our attention to the action of receiving the bread at communion. When the Eucharistic Minister serves bread, they do not hold up a loaf on a plate and ask that you chew a chunk off. If such a practice did exist, it would be called the Common Loaf. We don’t do this for practical reasons (it’s messy, crumbs everywhere, and it isn’t healthy). Instead we use pre-portioned bread in the form of wafers, or we accept a portion the server has torn from a loaf. Yet we still believe: we are all one body, for we all share in the one bread. This may help with our challenge of releasing the common cup. If a server can communicate with an individual serving of bread and still hold the body together, they can also pour out the wine individually – it is the wine that holds us together as a Eucharistic community, not necessarily the cup itself. At St. John’s we are exploring preparing the table with a lovely, small pitcher instead of a chalice. The wine and water are consecrated in that vessel, along with our loaf of bread. As communicants approach the servers, they will pick up a small communion cup. They receive bread in their hand as usual, and the wine is poured out into the cup so we may both eat and drink in the full feast. Glass communion cups are sold by many church supply companies. - From Rev. Jim Shmard at St. Mark’s Church in Casper – “Taste and See!” Below is St. Mark’s approach for administering Holy Communion in person and in both kinds until the Covid-19 crisis is over. 1. Clergy will administer the bread from the bottom of the steps to the altar in the center. 2. The people will come forward, receive the bread in their hands and as they head back to their seats, pick up a small empty wine glass off a nearby table (for those who cannot or will not come forward, clergy will be prepared to take the bread to them, and worship leaders or acolytes will follow the clergy to hand them empty wine glasses).