0:00 — Where do we stand?

10:59 — What do we know about B.A. 2?

13:40 — How do we keep track of the rate of transmissibility?

15:08 — What about so-called “Long COVID” as a differentiator between COVID and the flu?

19:48 — How should congregations address congregant’s risks and concerns?

21:15 — Of the transmissibility numbers that we see, what is considered low or high?

24:09 — How has the discussion changed around personal responsibility and infectious diseases?

25:35 — How risky is eating together — suppers, communion?

29:26 — What recommendations do you have about masking in nursery schools, especially if there are immunocompromised children?

31:30 — How do various protections — hand washing, wearing masks, increasing ventilation — work together?

33:18 — Is ti too soon for a vaccinated choir to not wear masks for Holy Week singing?

34:38 — Is there a need to continue keeping lists for contact tracing?

35:00 — It was my understanding that both Pfizer and Moderna were both working on a “fine tuned” booster. Is there any advantage to a mix up of any booster or should one hold out for the custom made version?

37:47 – I’m triple vaxxed and had an almost asymptomatic infection in January – is it possible for me to still carry the virus and infect my unvaccinated grandchildren?

39:10 — Might it be responsible, that we go back to communion at the altar with individual cups when transmissibility is down and just let people assume their own responsibility?

41:00 — Is there a relationship between vaccine and hearing issues?

43:17 — Should we warn unvaccinated people that we are going back to normal, and tell them the risk is theirs? 45:25 — How will our experience affect our understanding of epidemiology going forward?

47:07 — will we be like other places in the world where we will take precautions like wearing masks when respiratory viruses are prevalent?
 

Dear Beloved,

I am grateful that COVID cases and hospitalizations have been declining quickly across southeastern Pennsylvania. I pray that this trend continues. In order to protect the people we serve, I encourage you to keep finding safe ways to gather in person as well as offer complementary online access.

Our leaders and congregations have adapted and grown so much during the last two years. We have hope that this flexibility and our traditions will blend as we move forward with congregational life that is faithful and safe.

After nearly two years of protective measures, it can be tempting to let down our guard and return to “normal.” Please keep in mind that for families with children under five who cannot be vaccinated, for people on chemotherapy or with chronic illness, and for our elders, these times are not normal. I am mindful that one reason cases have fallen so quickly is we have adhered to simple steps to protect others and ourselves. We want to continue to do all we can to make it hard for the virus to mutate and spread.

With that in mind I offer the following recommendations for protective measures. I trust that our rostered ministers and church councils, who must make these difficult decisions for congregations, will do their best to keep our worshippers and communities as safe as possible.

This virus continues to challenge and surprise us, and we must all be prepared to respond differently if circumstances change.

I and the entire Synod staff are holding you in prayer as we move through this new abnormal. We appreciate your prayers for us as well.

Be safe!

In Christ,

Rev. Patricia A. Davenport, bishop