An Update from Phil Regarding Trinity Worship and Events

Dear members of the Trinity community,

Last week, I announced that out of an abundance of caution, we were suspending Trinity’s activities and canceling public church services for two weeks. Last Sunday, we held our first 11:15am service at Trinity online, without our congregation in the pews. I know many of you joined us online for what was a moving and beautiful service. That worship service brought home to me the full gravity and unprecedented nature of this situation.

I promised you last week that we would be revisiting our decision daily as developments warrant. Mayor de Blasio’s announcement that New York City schools were closing, Monday’s closures of restaurants, theaters, and other gathering places, and today’s announcement that we should prepare to “shelter in place” are just the latest examples of how quickly things are changing.

I believe that where we can alleviate some of the uncertainty, we need to do so. As a result, I’ve decided that the suspension of Trinity’s activities and public church services will extend until Monday, April 20, in alignment with New York City public schools’ closure.

I recognize that this means we will be worshipping online not just on weekdays and Sundays, but during Holy Week and Easter as well. This is not a decision I take lightly, but at this time it simply does not seem that we will be able to safely gather for those services. And my first priority is the well-being—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual—of our entire community.

We plan to continue to livestream our services at 12:05pm Monday–Friday and at 11:15am on Sunday. Our congregational leaders, clergy, and staff are already working on additional ways to keep us connected. And I know you already are reaching out to one another and to our Pastoral Care team regularly, and I know you’ll continue to do so. This is what we do—we take care of one another.

I ask for your patience and compassion with one another as we figure out how we will manage this unique and fluid situation. Our staff is working hard, and I ask for your patience and compassion for them, too, as they adjust to working from home and not being together.

Stay safe, be healthy, pray for all those who have been affected by this pandemic, and have faith that we will gather together in person as a church community as soon as we possibly can.

May God’s peace and comfort be with each of you.

Blessings,
Phil

The Rev. Phillip A. Jackson
Priest-in-charge and Vicar