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Rector's Update: Church Activities Cancelled Through March 31

News--Rector's Update Psalm 46-1
God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in time of trouble…  
––Psalm 46:1
Dear St. Philip’s Family,

Yesterday afternoon, Bishop Lawrence ordered the closure of all churches in the Diocese for the next two weeks in an effort to comply with the government’s call for social distancing to combat the spread of the Coronavirus. In compliance with that directive, ALL activities at St. Philip’s Church are cancelled, effective immediately, through March 31. Like many of you, I am very disappointed that it has come to this–– especially during the Lenten Season––but I understand that extraordinary measures are required, and I fully support the decisions of those in authority. 

We are working on plans to produce a worship service that will be broadcast online, and news and instructions about this will be emailed to the congregation on Thursday. The children’s ministry and youth departments are also preparing resources for parents, and you can expect to hear from them over the course of the next few days. The members of the clergy are available in the event of an emergency, and we are eager to be of assistance to the more vulnerable members of our congregation, so please do not hesitate to call us; our cell phone numbers are included at the bottom of this letter. If you know of a parishioner who may need help, please reply to this email.

As your Rector, I urge you to comply with the suggestions of the national, state, and local authorities and refrain from gathering in groups of more than ten. St. Paul in Romans 13:1-7 says that we are to be subject to the governing authorities, and it is, therefore, incumbent on us as good citizens and good Christians to do all that we can to combat this deadly virus. To those of you who are eager to help, Tricounty Family Ministries is currently in need of volunteers to distribute food and supplies to the less fortunate members of our community; click the button below for information. The Home Missions Team will continue to inform you of community needs as they arise.

This is a surreal experience for us all, but it is also a wonderful opportunity to recognize what Lent is all about. As we are forced to give up many of our cherished pleasures and activities in order to protect others, it is a reminder of what Jesus Christ did for us all in coming down from heaven to die on the cross. Let us view these coming weeks as a Lenten discipline, and let us pray that God will bring physical and spiritual healing to our land so that this Easter may prove particularly meaningful! 

Yours in Christ Jesus,

Jeff+
The Rev. Jeff Miller: (843) 812-0556
The Rev. Andrew O'Dell: (854) 429-1929
The Rev. Marc Boutan: (843) 737-1277
The Rev. Brian McGreevy: (843) 793-9830
The Rev. Ryan Streett: (843) 601-1120

Tricounty Family Ministries Volunteer Needs