March 2022 COVID-19 Update from Bishop Duncan-Probe

Dear friends,

It has now been nearly two years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this challenging time, our people and congregations have walked faithfully together, offering Christian hospitality and seeking to protect the vulnerable. I am proud of this Diocese, and grateful to our diocesan leaders, especially our District Deans, Board and Standing Committee, and Clergy and Vestries, for your wisdom and compassion.

As I write to you, another pandemic surge is coming to an end: COVID-19 infection rates are steadily dropping and the burden on our hospitals is easing. The CDC has established new metrics and guidelines with the simple goal of preventing severe COVID-19 disease in order to ensure that our hospitals have the capacity to treat those who fall gravely ill. This pandemic is not over, but we have an opportunity to consider easing some of our COVID-19 precautions for a time.

Therefore, beginning Saturday, March 12, 2022, each congregation will once again have local discretion to establish COVID-19 response guidelines in line with current recommendations from the CDC. Please note that the CDC continues to recommend universal masking in counties where the COVID-19 Community Level metric is “High;” you can check your county’s COVID-19 Community Level at: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/community-levels.html. Many of our congregations will continue to follow additional safety protocols beyond the minimum CDC recommendations.

We will be living with COVID-19 for a long time, adapting our response to changing realities in order to care for one another well. What remains constant is our Christian culture of hospitality and compassion. In this new phase of pandemic, some members of our communities will be eager to embrace relaxed safety protocols, while others will continue to wear masks and keep social distance in order to protect themselves or vulnerable loved ones. No matter what choices any one of us makes, treating one another with respect and compassion includes:

• Being willing to place others’ comfort and safety first; if you see someone wearing a mask, consider offering to wear one yourself and maintaining social distance;
• Respecting and encouraging those who continue to wear masks and/or maintain social distance;
• Keeping a supply of masks and hand sanitizer prominently available in your church building;
• Reminding and empowering members to stay at home and participate in church activities online if they are not feeling well.

Again, I want you to know how grateful I am for your leadership and faithful ministry through this pandemic. I, your Deans, and the diocesan staff are available to support you as you navigate new decisions and, as always, you can find resources to assist you at: cnyepiscopal.org/covid-19. Together, may we continue to seek after our vision of “a world healed by love.”

Blessings of peace for the journey,