COVID-19 Guidelines and Resources
New COVID-19 advisory, from Bishop Marc (December 10)
Dear Friends in Christ,
As you well know, the Bay Area is experiencing a renewed surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths, and state public health officials are urging everyone to exercise extreme caution in the coming weeks to avoid overwhelming our already stressed health care facilities. In the face of this grim reality, I am advising our congregations to discontinue all in-person worship gatherings, with the exception of outdoor funerals, until further notice.
I issue this advisory with a heavy heart; we are, after all, in Advent, a season of hopeful watching and waiting, and approaching Christmas, one of our holiest and most beloved holidays. I also make this recommendation with the full understanding that the six counties in which we operate are still allowing religious groups to gather outdoors. However, just because the law allows us to gather does not, in my view, mean we should at this time, especially since so many of our neighbors — from restaurant workers to hairdressers to performing artists — are being asked to make tremendous financial sacrifices on behalf of public health.
I am confident that you will navigate this season of hope and anticipation, but also sacrifice, as you have throughout the course of this pandemic — with love, creativity, and a deep commitment to keeping our congregations, staff, and communities safe. As I said on yesterday’s clergy Zoom call, worship teams may continue to livestream and record indoors, provided the group is stable (the same people from week to week), following all diocesan safety protocols, and as small as possible. Essential services for the community, such as food pantry operations, may also continue.
Though this may feel like a darker than usual Advent, please know that your ministries, in whatever form they are taking, shine brightly with their messages of hope and comfort. As always, please reach out to me or diocesan staff with any questions or concerns you may have. I wish you and all those you love a blessed Advent and a joyous Christmas.
In faith,
+Marc
Click here for the Current Worship Guidelines and Diocesan Regathering Plan
Haga clic aquí para ver las Pautas actuales de adoración y el Plan de reunión diocesana
Pandemic Resource Pages:
-
Being Church — Stories of how Episcopalians across the Bay Area are being the church in this time.
-
Church Online — Links to remote worship, bible studies, and other online gatherings.
-
Creating Church Online — How-to resources and Safe Church guidelines for online gatherings.
-
Faith Formation Online — Resources for formation online.
-
Finance & Administration during COVID-19 — Important Finance and Administration resources.
-
Support, Resources, and Opportunities — Ways to give and receive help and support.
Previous Updates from the Bishop's Office
- 10/29 Update on Indoor Worship
- 9/25 Update to Regathering Guidelines
- 9/18 Update to Regathering Guidelines
- 9/11 New Guidelines for Baptism and Eucharist
- 7/23 Update on Regathering Plans: Outdoor worship allowed beginning August 2
- 5/21 Summary of Worship and Gathering Guidelines for the Diocese of California
- 5/14 COVID-19 Update
- 5/5 COVID-19 Guidance
- 4/24 Face covering protocols for the Diocese of California
- 4/9 Clarity on worship, gathering, and minimum business operations guidelines
- 3/18 Updated COVID-19 guidance for the next eight weeks, including Holy Week
- 3/11 Important update: Request to cancel worship services to prevent the spread of COVID-19
- 3/3 Message from Bishop Marc about the coronavirus (COVID-19)
Health Information
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
- The California Department of Health
- Episcopal Relief and Development
For the latest updates in your specific area, we advise keeping an eye on information coming out of your county health department:
- Alameda County Public Health Department
- Contra Costa Health Services
- Marin Health and Human Services
- San Francisco Department of Public Health
- San Mateo Public Health
- Santa Clara County Public Health
Reach out to DioHouse for support!
The bishop's staff wants you to know that we are here for you. Please do not hesitate to reach out via email, phone, or video chat! Click here for the staff directory, where you can find staff email addresses. With staff working remotely, it is best to reach out via email first and arrange a time for a phone call or video chat.
Páginas de recursos sobre la pandemia:
-
Ser Iglesia: historias de cómo los episcopales de toda el Área de la Bahía están siendo y viviendo la iglesia en estos momentos.
-
Iglesia en línea: enlaces a servicios de adoración remota, grupos de estudio bíblico y otras reuniones en línea.
-
Cómo crear la Iglesia en línea: recursos con instrucciones y directrices de seguridad para las reuniones en línea.
-
Formación de fe en línea: recursos para la formación en línea.
-
Finanzas y administración durante COVID-19: recursos importantes sobre finanzas y administración.
-
Apoyo, recursos y oportunidades: formas de dar y recibir ayuda y apoyo.
Actualizaciones anteriores de la Oficina del Obispo (se incluyen las traducciones al español)
- 30 de Septiembre. Nuevas pautas para el Bautismo y la Eucaristía
- 21 de mayo. Resumen de las pautas de culto y congregaciones para la Diócesis de California
- 14 de mayo. Actualización sobre COVID-19
- 5 de mayo. Orientación sobre COVID-19
- 24 de abril. Protocolos sobre cubrirse la cara para la Diócesis de California
- 9 de abril. Pautas para brindar claridad sobre los servicios de culto, reuniones públicas y operaciones comerciales mínimas
- 18 de marzo. Pautas actualizadas sobre COVID-19 para las próximas ocho semanas, incluyendo Semana Santa
- 11 de marzo. Actualización importante: Solicitud de cancelación de los servicios de adoración para evitar la propagación de COVID-19
- 3 de marzo. Mensaje del obispo Marc sobre el coronavirus (COVID-19)
Información de salud
- Centros para el Control de Enfermedades (CDC)
- Departamento de Salud de California
- Programa Episcopal de Ayuda Humanitaria y Desarrollo
Para conocer las últimas noticias sobre tu área específica, te recomendamos mantenerte al tanto de las actualizaciones que publique el departamento de salud de tu condado:
- Departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de Alameda
- Oficina de Servicios de Salud de Contra Costa
- Oficina de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Marin
- Departamento de Salud Pública de San Francisco
- Oficina de Salud Pública de San Mateo
- Oficina de Salud Pública del Condado de Santa Clara
¡Comunícate con DioHouse para obtener asistencia!
El personal del obispo quiere que sepas que estamos aquí para ti. ¡No dudes en comunicarte con nosotros por correo electrónico, teléfono o videochat! Haz clic aquí para consultar el directorio del personal, donde podrás encontrar las direcciones de correo electrónico de nuestro personal. Debido a que nuestro personal trabaja de forma remota, lo mejor es comunicarse por correo electrónico primero y programar una hora para una llamada telefónica o videochat.