COVID-19 Parish Update

This is a short update on our pandemic protocols for in-person worship and other ministries.

In-person Worship

The opportunity to gather for in-person worship began again on Sunday, August 22. So far, small congregations have gathered for the 10AM Sunday Eucharist, which continues to be livestreamed on the parish website and Facebook. New protocols for the safety of worshippers gathering on Sunday mornings are in place and others will be implemented in the coming weeks.

Increasing natural ventilation. We have already begun to augment the natural ventilation in the worship space by opening the upper windows. As the outside temperatures allow, doors will also be kept open to increase ventilation.

Vaccinations. In the coming weeks all volunteers leading and participating in the various aspects of the worship service will be required to show proof of vaccination. Diocesan policy now requires the following people to be immunized with two doses of a COVD-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada, unless a legal exemption has been granted, to serve in our diocese during the pandemic:

• all clergy holding a bishop's license or permssion;
• all licensed lay workers;
• all diocesan staff;
• all liturgical leaders in parishes, including, but not limited to:
  • musicians and vocalists;
  • readers, intercessors, servers, and communion assistants;
  • churchwardens present in worship;
  • greeters, ushers, and sidespeople; 
• all people ministering with children, youth, and young adults; and
• all people ministering with marginalized or vulnerable populations, including food security and other outreach ministries.

Parishioners serving in these roles should show their proof of vaccination to the rector, David Anderson, who will keep a record acknowledging the vaccination in the parish database. These records are stored securely and the vaccination information will be deleted at the end of the pandemic. To continue serving in these roles, persons designated above must have received their first dose of vaccine by September 30, 2021 and the second no later than October 31, 2021.

All those attending worship are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated out of care for the vulnerable among us.

All directives of the Government of Ontario and Hamilton Pubic Health will be always adhered to, including foundational pandemic guidance: minimizing the number of persons in a place at the same time; maintaining a physical distance of at least two metres; using well-contructed, well-fitting masks; practicing good hand and respitory hygiene; and staying home if feeling ill. 

Other Ministries and Activities

Other parish ministries, including faith formation and outreach activities, will continue to be conducted online or outdoors, wherever possible. Children's ministries and other in-person programming for children remains suspended. Outdoor youth programming may be organized where physical distancing is possible.

These protocols remain in effect until further notice. We hope for a continued return to in-person activities. If you have any further questions, please contact the rector, anderson@rockonlocke.ca.