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Good morning and welcome to COVID Communiqué 7.

Last Thursday all active clergy of our diocese were gathered in a Zoom meeting and provided with a thorough, expert briefing on COVID-19, so they would better understand the rationale for the extremely cautious approach to reopening that is at the heart of our COVID management plan. A great deal of work has already been done on the COVID plan; and after editing and review we expect to get it to you by the end of the month.

We aren’t seeing this simply as a plan for reopening in September: what we’re working on is actually an “evergreen” pandemic response plan, to guide us through the characteristics and circumstances of COVID-19, acknowledging that as the virus evolves so must the plan. As changes happen in the disease itself, and especially in the science and knowledge emerging from it, we must remain open to changing course to deal with it.

However, one thing we know for sure is that self-care is an important part of dealing with this crisis. We want to take a moment to remind all clergy and lay staff of the importance of taking your vacations, even (especially) in these difficult times. Diocesan rules for clergy and lay staff are that vacation time cannot be rolled over and 2020, of all years, is not one to face without your R&R. Please work collaboratively together to ensure everyone’s vacation time is booked and covered off.

We received many questions through the Clergy Day but are always ready for more. Please, if you have a question, or you think we’ve missed something, or you find something that’s out of date or wrong, let us know by sending a note to Heidi Pizzuto, Executive Assistant to the Bishop, and she will direct your note to the right person.

The Communiqué is produced by the senior staff of the diocese:

Shane Parker, Bishop
Sanjay Grover, Director of Financial Ministry
Peter John Hobbs, Director of Community Ministries
Jane Scanlon, Director of Stewardship Development
Carol Sinclair, Director of Human Resources