Dear St. Mark’s Church,

I hope and pray that you are well. Please note the following announcements related to our parish schedule:

(1) SMCA. Earlier today the Governor of Pa issued a directive, mandating that all private and public schools in Montgomery County close for 2 weeks, beginning tomorrow. We have sent our students home with their books, as our intention is for their course of study to continue during this period (their teachers will offer instruction through online video conferencing platforms such as “Zoom”.) 

(2) Sunday Services. At this time we have no intention of canceling our regularly scheduled Sunday services. Holy Communion will continue, however we will not be offering the common cup at this time. Drinking from or intincting in the common cup (of fortified wine) is very unlikely to spread this (or any virus), however I do not want this concern to be a distraction to us as we draw near to share in the Sacrament together and for that reason we have decided that for the next 2 Sundays we will not be serving the cup, but will be serving you the bread only. As is our longstanding understanding “to receive in one kind is to receive the Sacrament fully.”  

(3) Stations of the Cross. I have decided to cancel Stations of the Cross for tomorrow. Stay tuned for other possible modifications to our weekday schedule.

(4) Bp. Gillin’s Installation service is going to be rescheduled at a date yet to be determined. This is mainly owing to the complexities of air travel at this time, which is limiting Bp. Sutton’s ability to be here.

I know how frightening all of this can feel. We are wise to be vigilant, but we do not need to afraid, even as we face what is for most of us an unprecedented set of circumstances. 

Exercise good common sense, follow the instructions (such as washing hands, etc) that have been issued, and seek to help those in need. Pray for those who are particularly vulnerable and continue to trust in God. Times of illness, or the possibility of illness, are times in which we should contemplate the frailty of life and entrust ourselves anew to God through Jesus, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God that Jesus has risen victorious over death and has opened Heaven to all of his people. As we pray in our Litany:

O Savior of the world, who by thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed us: Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.

Fr. Patterson