Dear friends,
This time of pandemic calls for us to make unexpected changes in our personal lives, parish lives, and in the way we work as a diocese. Although much of our work will be conducted virtually, we will continue to connect with each other, transmit accurate information as we have it, and accept personal responsibility to keep ourselves and each other safe from harm. I have been in constant communication with clergy and diocesan leaders to help to keep us all informed as county health departments issue mandates and our state government gives directives and guidelines.
At this time, all parishes should have moved to virtual forms of worship and fast from face-to-face public worship and other meetings and gathering. Virtual worship may be a livestream video that you produce from your parish, or a series of links from across our diocese and the church. Audio-visual expert John Plocher (john.plocher@gmail.com) has offered to help any parish who needs assistance. If you’d like to share your livestream with the diocese, please alert Elrond Lawrence, diocesan communications (elrond@realepiscopal.org), who is making available a list of resources.
In light of today’s shelter at home mandate from Monterey County, most of our diocesan staff will begin to work remotely beginning Wednesday, March 18. You can reach the following staff members via their email addresses and cell phone numbers, listed below:
Bishop Lucinda Ashby: bishoplucinda@realepiscopal.org, contact Mary Beth Powell
Mary Beth Powell: mbpowell@realepiscopal.org, 510-325-2075
Canon Brian Nordwick: brian@realepiscopal.org, 831-801-6567
Canon Jesús Reyes: jesusreyes@realepiscopal.org, 831-333-6635
Kelsey Davis: kelsey@realepiscopal.org, 831-818-3992
Elrond Lawrence: elrond@realepiscopal.org, 831-578-1680
Tiffany Martin: tiffany@realepiscopal.org, 831-269-0083
Lisa Bennett: lisa@realepiscopal.org, 831-375-5865
Later this week, I will release a video message to the diocese. Since the COVID-19 situation is fluid and changing rapidly, we will also post important news on our website realepiscopal.org and social media pages:
Our diocesan leadership bodies and all commissions & committees will meet via Zoom videoconferencing.
Even as people react in fear to these uncertain times, it is our calling to lean into the place of hope and love. “God is our very present help in time of trouble,” and with that knowledge comes gratitude, patience, and charity toward others. Thank you for your prayers and understanding as we do our part to help slow down this fast-moving virus.
+Lucinda
