Dear Parish Family,
We met remotely last night and took counsel together as to how we can best respond to new guidelines regarding COVID-19. Although last Sunday’s worship was a tremendous blessing to all who participated, and while everyone pitched in to make sure we did so safely, we are convinced that the new guidelines regarding distancing, such as limiting meetings to ten or fewer people, are essential to public safety. Our desire is to be faithful to God in the midst of this very strange time, and make a dynamic witness as we go forward.
To that end, we are making the following decisions:
Sunday services will be curtailed. At 10:45 am for the next two Sundays, only the clergy and vestry of the parish will gather for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist on your behalf. We at Christ Church believe in the power of the communion of saints. We believe that when the Church gathers at the Lord’s altar, she does so, not in part, but in whole.
These Eucharists will be live-streamed at a link provided on the church websiteand the sermon will be podcasted.
We will consecrate enough hosts to make home communions possible for as many as desire this. You can sign up to receive at home and a priest will come to you at a time convenient to you.
The next two Wednesday noon Eucharists and all other holy days are canceled.
Morning Prayer in the chancel is also canceled, effective Wednesday, March 18 for two weeks.
The Lenten series is also canceled for the next two weeks. The evening study of First Peter will be podcasted. We recommend doing Stations of the Cross on your own, at the following link.
During this time, we are also recommending that families pray Morning Prayer together on Sundays and other days of the week. We also encourage you to make a spiritual communion as often as possible by praying the following prayer:
Dear Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to possess you within my soul. And since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. I unite myself to you, together with all your faithful people gathered around every altar of your Church, and I embrace you with all the affections of my soul. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer 2019, Page 677)
We encourage all members of Christ Church to keep up faithful giving during this time either by mailing checks to 1008 Jefferson Avenue, Waco, TX 76701 or giving online. You can also give by sending a dollar amount by text to (254) 212-4821.
We are filled with gratitude for your patience, and the Lord’s provision during this time! Several years ago, Christ Church only met once a month, and now, to scale back at all seems like defeat. But, we are reminded that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17 ESV) We go forward confident that our life as a parish will be sustained and grown during this time, and are thankful for your prayers.
The Rector and Vestry of Christ Church, Waco