COVID 19 - Vicar's Message
March 16, 2020
Dear St. Timothy’s ‘Ohana,
Following this information, is the Bishop’s message to the Diocese directing that all worship and on-campus gatherings be suspended until March 31, 2020 (subject to review). The full message can be found HERE.
The temporary suspension of our on-campus activities raises several questions that I attempt to address below. With so many restaurants, stores, and venues closing or modifying their hours, this announcement should not come as a complete surprise.
Still, the situation and the response associated with COVID-19 changes day-to-day, hour-to-hour. This is can build up fear and anxiety over the uncertainty. Such feelings are only natural and I am grateful to the Bishop’s Committee for their leadership as we all move through these uncharted waters.
Even though we may be practicing “social distancing” with the suspension of our services and gatherings, we will not be spiritually distant from one another. We are working on a plan for a “phone tree” so that we can call and check-in on members of the congregation and offer prayer and assistance. These are things that people can do from their homes and that we can do from the church.
We can still worship together through the use of on-line resources. I will offer Morning Prayer on Sunday Morning with music. We ask for your patience as we work out the technical details and will publish them on our website and send them out via email.
Our Souper Tuesday is also on hold. I am working at establishing a ZOOM (web-based conferencing app) based Bible Study. The ZOOM App can be used from a desktop, phone, or tablet. We would be able to continue to gather but in virtual chat rooms.
Times such as these challenge us. Through faith in Christ Jesus, and with love and care for one another, we will rise to the occasion. We are the Church. The buildings and the campus are not the Church. Even when we cannot meet on the campus at Moanalua Road, we are still the people of God and the Body of Christ.
What does this mean? Sunday worship services, Bible Study, and Lenten Soup Dinner, and scheduled meetings of DOK, OSL, are temporarily suspended through March 31. This date is subject to review and will be updated by the Bishop’s Office.
How long will this be? At least through the end of March 31 or until the Bishop directs otherwise.
Does this mean that St. Timothy’s is closed? No.
While this temporary suspension of worship is part of “social distancing” and the effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 virus, the suspension of worship services does NOT mean that St. Timothy’s is “closed” or “canceled.” We are still worshiping, just not in the sanctuary. The Church Office will be open and Fr. Dan is available for pastoral calls and emergencies.
Tenants and community organizations such as Kuakini, Kama’aina Kinds, Big Brother/Big Sisters, ELIM Church, as well as AA, Al-Anon, CPR, and Hula are empowered to make their own decisions. They, as we are, taking directions from their advisors and administrators and the Department of Health.
What about our Outreach meals? Twice a month we provide a hot meal and bags of staple foods to the residentially challenged in our neighborhood. On average this is about 15 men and women. Federal officials are recommending not assembling in groups larger than 10 for the next few weeks at least. We will also temporarily suspend our Outreach effort. Our first responsibility is to the health and safety of our congregation and our tenants. The St. Timothy volunteers who run this program and serve our meal are along with Kuakini Adult Day Care and Kama’aina Preschool among the high-risk category should they be exposed. We will work with other agencies and assist where we can but in a manner that does not put our kupuna and keiki at risk.
What can I do in the meantime? We can pray in our homes and in virtual spaces. You all can pray the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer in the BCP. As I mentioned earlier, we are assembling resources and are exploring alternate ways to pray together using technology and will let you know and push it out as soon as we have something ready.
Our faithfulness in these times is what binds us to each other and to Christ Jesus. In being so joined, let our love for God be a light that shines forth from our hearts casting out darkness and fear. There will be more to come. Especially information regarding
In Peace,
Fr. Dan+
Priest-in-charge
ARCHIVE-
March 13, 2020
Dear St. Timothy’s ‘Ohana-
Forgive the length of this letter. There is a lot of new information to share regarding St. Timothy’s Church and the Wuhan Coronavirus.
In Hawaiian, mālama is to “take care for” or “to serve.” Mālama lies at the heart of our community and in Christ’s teaching. We are called to care for ourselves and one another, and to serve and protect our ʻohana- our family. They include the keiki and kupuna who come to our campus at Kamaʻaina Kids and Kuakini Adult Day Care and their employees.
Last Sunday, I gave the congregation and update regarding our preparations and the development of a plan for mālama at St. Timothy’s in light of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). None of the confirmed cases in Hawaii involve Episcopal Churches, but it is prudent, out of an abundance of caution, for St. Timothy’s to plan proactively for the possibility that COVID-19 will impact our community.
This week I pass along further clarification from the Bishop regarding Communion. No doubt, for some, the proposed changes to our practices at the altar and in communion will be a challenge. We are creatures of habit, but we can learn new ways of being in God’s presence. I ask that you keep an open mind and an open heart.
I have canceled all non-essential travel for myself and will therefore not be traveling to North Carolina next week. Other gatherings in the Diocese including the planned Chrism Mass is canceled and the Education Day and other meetings that can be held as a video chat such as Standing Committee and Diocesan Council are moving to on-line platforms.
We are communicating with our campus tenants, Kamaʻaina Kids Preschool, Kuakini Adult Day Care, and Big Brother’s Big Sisters about our plans and regularly share with them information relevant to campus security and safety.
There is a lot that we don’t know about when and how it will impact our islands and us here at St. Timothy’s and thus it is difficult to plan for what will most certainly be a dynamic situation. I want to be able to provide all the information I can without being alarming or confusing, but useful and timely.
In mālama, we should all remember that each person has it in their power to control and to take measures so that they do not get the infection, nor spread it. Such measures include correct hand washing, staying home if you have flu-like symptoms, sanitize often, avoid bodily contact with others- stop shaking hands and hugging. For now, a bow or gesture with your eyes. Do not share cups, utensils, or anything else that might share bodily fluids.
We can never eliminate the risk, but we can take necessary steps to reduce our exposure and slow the spread of the virus. The good news is that COVID 19 is easy to kill or inoculate with available household cleaners. Regularly washing your hands with soap and water is the best way to prevent the spread of germs and not just COVID19. We are testing sanitizing solutions for the pews and “high touch” areas of the sanctuary and Sumida Hall. We are having to change our communion process to ensure health and safety as well as take other temporary measures to reduce our risk of exposure.
As of Friday, March 13, Health Officials are not calling for worship or other gatherings to cease, but we are being asked to be mindful about how we gather and when we do. Until advised or instructed otherwise, all church events such as Outreach Dinners, AA/12 Step group meetings, Lenten Souper Tuesday suppers, Bible study, hall rentals, and other activities on our campus will continue as scheduled. If there is a declared health emergency and Kamaʻaina Kids and Kuakini are directed to suspend operations, or temporarily close, we will also close the church offices and consult with the Bishop’s office regarding next steps including Sunday worship. We will post this notice on our website, via social media, and email blast.
This is an unsettling time and many will be afraid and confused. To that end, I will share with you any updates or information I receive from health officials and the Office of the Bishop. We must live out of preparation and education and not out of fear. We are God’s people, called to mālama. We should not run and hide, but be a light, and as we are able, help others.
Faithfully,
Fr. Dan+
Dear St. Timothy’s ‘Ohana,
Following this information, is the Bishop’s message to the Diocese directing that all worship and on-campus gatherings be suspended until March 31, 2020 (subject to review). The full message can be found HERE.
The temporary suspension of our on-campus activities raises several questions that I attempt to address below. With so many restaurants, stores, and venues closing or modifying their hours, this announcement should not come as a complete surprise.
Still, the situation and the response associated with COVID-19 changes day-to-day, hour-to-hour. This is can build up fear and anxiety over the uncertainty. Such feelings are only natural and I am grateful to the Bishop’s Committee for their leadership as we all move through these uncharted waters.
Even though we may be practicing “social distancing” with the suspension of our services and gatherings, we will not be spiritually distant from one another. We are working on a plan for a “phone tree” so that we can call and check-in on members of the congregation and offer prayer and assistance. These are things that people can do from their homes and that we can do from the church.
We can still worship together through the use of on-line resources. I will offer Morning Prayer on Sunday Morning with music. We ask for your patience as we work out the technical details and will publish them on our website and send them out via email.
Our Souper Tuesday is also on hold. I am working at establishing a ZOOM (web-based conferencing app) based Bible Study. The ZOOM App can be used from a desktop, phone, or tablet. We would be able to continue to gather but in virtual chat rooms.
Times such as these challenge us. Through faith in Christ Jesus, and with love and care for one another, we will rise to the occasion. We are the Church. The buildings and the campus are not the Church. Even when we cannot meet on the campus at Moanalua Road, we are still the people of God and the Body of Christ.
What does this mean? Sunday worship services, Bible Study, and Lenten Soup Dinner, and scheduled meetings of DOK, OSL, are temporarily suspended through March 31. This date is subject to review and will be updated by the Bishop’s Office.
How long will this be? At least through the end of March 31 or until the Bishop directs otherwise.
Does this mean that St. Timothy’s is closed? No.
While this temporary suspension of worship is part of “social distancing” and the effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 virus, the suspension of worship services does NOT mean that St. Timothy’s is “closed” or “canceled.” We are still worshiping, just not in the sanctuary. The Church Office will be open and Fr. Dan is available for pastoral calls and emergencies.
Tenants and community organizations such as Kuakini, Kama’aina Kinds, Big Brother/Big Sisters, ELIM Church, as well as AA, Al-Anon, CPR, and Hula are empowered to make their own decisions. They, as we are, taking directions from their advisors and administrators and the Department of Health.
What about our Outreach meals? Twice a month we provide a hot meal and bags of staple foods to the residentially challenged in our neighborhood. On average this is about 15 men and women. Federal officials are recommending not assembling in groups larger than 10 for the next few weeks at least. We will also temporarily suspend our Outreach effort. Our first responsibility is to the health and safety of our congregation and our tenants. The St. Timothy volunteers who run this program and serve our meal are along with Kuakini Adult Day Care and Kama’aina Preschool among the high-risk category should they be exposed. We will work with other agencies and assist where we can but in a manner that does not put our kupuna and keiki at risk.
What can I do in the meantime? We can pray in our homes and in virtual spaces. You all can pray the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer in the BCP. As I mentioned earlier, we are assembling resources and are exploring alternate ways to pray together using technology and will let you know and push it out as soon as we have something ready.
Our faithfulness in these times is what binds us to each other and to Christ Jesus. In being so joined, let our love for God be a light that shines forth from our hearts casting out darkness and fear. There will be more to come. Especially information regarding
In Peace,
Fr. Dan+
Priest-in-charge
ARCHIVE-
March 13, 2020
Dear St. Timothy’s ‘Ohana-
Forgive the length of this letter. There is a lot of new information to share regarding St. Timothy’s Church and the Wuhan Coronavirus.
In Hawaiian, mālama is to “take care for” or “to serve.” Mālama lies at the heart of our community and in Christ’s teaching. We are called to care for ourselves and one another, and to serve and protect our ʻohana- our family. They include the keiki and kupuna who come to our campus at Kamaʻaina Kids and Kuakini Adult Day Care and their employees.
Last Sunday, I gave the congregation and update regarding our preparations and the development of a plan for mālama at St. Timothy’s in light of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). None of the confirmed cases in Hawaii involve Episcopal Churches, but it is prudent, out of an abundance of caution, for St. Timothy’s to plan proactively for the possibility that COVID-19 will impact our community.
This week I pass along further clarification from the Bishop regarding Communion. No doubt, for some, the proposed changes to our practices at the altar and in communion will be a challenge. We are creatures of habit, but we can learn new ways of being in God’s presence. I ask that you keep an open mind and an open heart.
I have canceled all non-essential travel for myself and will therefore not be traveling to North Carolina next week. Other gatherings in the Diocese including the planned Chrism Mass is canceled and the Education Day and other meetings that can be held as a video chat such as Standing Committee and Diocesan Council are moving to on-line platforms.
We are communicating with our campus tenants, Kamaʻaina Kids Preschool, Kuakini Adult Day Care, and Big Brother’s Big Sisters about our plans and regularly share with them information relevant to campus security and safety.
There is a lot that we don’t know about when and how it will impact our islands and us here at St. Timothy’s and thus it is difficult to plan for what will most certainly be a dynamic situation. I want to be able to provide all the information I can without being alarming or confusing, but useful and timely.
In mālama, we should all remember that each person has it in their power to control and to take measures so that they do not get the infection, nor spread it. Such measures include correct hand washing, staying home if you have flu-like symptoms, sanitize often, avoid bodily contact with others- stop shaking hands and hugging. For now, a bow or gesture with your eyes. Do not share cups, utensils, or anything else that might share bodily fluids.
We can never eliminate the risk, but we can take necessary steps to reduce our exposure and slow the spread of the virus. The good news is that COVID 19 is easy to kill or inoculate with available household cleaners. Regularly washing your hands with soap and water is the best way to prevent the spread of germs and not just COVID19. We are testing sanitizing solutions for the pews and “high touch” areas of the sanctuary and Sumida Hall. We are having to change our communion process to ensure health and safety as well as take other temporary measures to reduce our risk of exposure.
As of Friday, March 13, Health Officials are not calling for worship or other gatherings to cease, but we are being asked to be mindful about how we gather and when we do. Until advised or instructed otherwise, all church events such as Outreach Dinners, AA/12 Step group meetings, Lenten Souper Tuesday suppers, Bible study, hall rentals, and other activities on our campus will continue as scheduled. If there is a declared health emergency and Kamaʻaina Kids and Kuakini are directed to suspend operations, or temporarily close, we will also close the church offices and consult with the Bishop’s office regarding next steps including Sunday worship. We will post this notice on our website, via social media, and email blast.
This is an unsettling time and many will be afraid and confused. To that end, I will share with you any updates or information I receive from health officials and the Office of the Bishop. We must live out of preparation and education and not out of fear. We are God’s people, called to mālama. We should not run and hide, but be a light, and as we are able, help others.
Faithfully,
Fr. Dan+
