COVID-19 Update from the Rector

Dear People of God, 

Greetings in the name of God our Father, in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit! He has given us the hope of everlasting life in his Son, and abundance in his holy and life-giving Spirit. 

I am writing you as COVID-19 (aka coronavirus) has reached “community spread” level in Dallas County. Accordingly, Dallas County administrator Judge Clay Jenkins declared a state of emergency for the county. In this state of emergency gatherings of 500 people or more are prohibited while gatherings of 250 people or more are highly discouraged. For this reason, the Clergy and Vestry of St. Bart’s have decided suspend worship services and church-sponsored activities for two Sundays (March 15 and 22). 

We are taking these extraordinary precautions not out of fear or panic, but out of love for neighbor. Many of our parishioners fall into the category of highly vulnerable to this disease: those over age 60 and / or with compromised immune systems. A key tactic in preventing further community spread of the virus is social distancing. As the people of St. Bart’s, we want to do our part to help stop the spread of the disease in the city of Dallas. 

Moreover, as the people of God, chosen and dearly beloved, we put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Now more than ever we have an opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ to each other and our neighbor. We can behave in calm hope knowing that only our compassionate and loving Heavenly Father controls outcomes. He dearly loves us and the world He has made. 

What’s next? I know that many of you may inadvertently experience a sense of isolation in this short season. Stay tuned to this newsletter for information and ways to continue to cultivate your life in Christ. Chris and I will be calling to check in on our older, isolated, and more vulnerable parishioners. If you have a prayer or material need, please email contact@stbartsdallas.org or call the Church’s number 214-506-8718 and leave a message. Someone will follow up with you as soon as possible. 

God-willing, we will resume worship on Sunday March 29 with added measures to prevent community spread and protect those most vulnerable in our midst. 

May the God hope fill you all joy and peace in believing  through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

Jay+ 

As we behold the face of God in the face of Christ, we are transformed into his image. This is what it means to be fully human—to become like Jesus, the truly human one, and to grow more and more in the freedom of the children of God.