The following disease mitigation strategies are currently in effect here at All Saints.
Should there be a significant resurgence of COVID-19 infections in our region, we will return to the more restrictive practices that protect against severe illness and death and reduce the stress on our medical care system. Please use this information to make your own risk assessment and decide when and how you feel safe participating in services and other gatherings at All Saints.
All changes follow the guidance of the CDC, The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Town of Brookline’s Department of Public Health, and the requirements and guidelines of the Diocese of Massachusetts.
Effective April 2022—updates are in red
Layer 1—Stay home if you are sick. If you have symptoms, or simply do not feel well, please stay home and watch the livestream service. If you are serving in a particular ministry on Sunday and don’t feel well, please notify the coordinator of that ministry that you will not be there. You are no longer required to notify a staff person if you test positive for COVID.
Layer 2—Get vaccinated. All staff, altar servers, choir members, and church school teachers are required to be vaccinated, including booster shots. We strongly encourage everyone who is able to be vaccinated to do so as soon as they are eligible. Please also get your annual flu shot!
Layer 3—Wearing a mask is optional. Fully vaccinated people may choose to wear a mask or not. Unvaccinated individuals are strongly encouraged to wear a mask. Individual choice will be respected.
Layer 4—Maintaining distance is no longer required. The pews will remain where they are so that anyone who wants to sit distanced from others may easily do so. If you want to sit distanced from others but are having difficulty doing so, the ushers will be glad to assist you.
Layer 5—Wash your hands frequently. “Wash in, wash out.” Wash your hands for a good 20 seconds soon after you enter the building and again just before you leave. Make use of the abundant hand sanitizer around the building. Use hand sanitizer before and after receiving Communion, before and after shaking hands, etc.
Layer 6—Ventilation. We will continue to monitor the CO2 levels in the nave and open windows and doors as necessary to keep the space ventilated.
Layer 7—Continue meeting online. Meetings online will continue as needed; the livestreamed services will continue. Please arrange rooms for in person meetings with the office.
RETURN OF THE COMMON CUP
Our bishops have said that Communion may be distributed in both kinds (bread and wine) beginning 1 April. The bishop is not sanctioning the use of intinction—dipping the bread into the chalice. Beginning Sunday 3 April, when you receive the bread, please consume it immediately. Then, if you wish to also receive the cup, please help guide the chalice to your lips.
If you do not wish to receive the cup you may:
- return to your seat after consuming the bread, or
- cross your arms over your chest while the chalice bearer says the words of administration, or
- touch the base of the chalice while the chalice bearer says the words.
Remember, Christ is fully present in all elements of Communion.
Read the bishop’s COVID requirements and guidelines here.
References:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/community-mitigation.html
https://www.covidactnow.org/us/metro/boston-cambridge-newton_ma-nh/?s=23341252