Update regarding DFMS offices, staff travel and sponsored meetings during the coronavirus pandemic
June 11, 2020
A letter from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry to the Church. Please share widely.
Dear Friends in Christ,
With both public and scientific knowledge of the nature and timing of an effective vaccine and treatment protocol for COVID-19 evolving on seemingly a daily basis; and with the very real possibility of a resurgence of the virus later in the year, the Executive Leadership Team has decided to keep the DFMS offices closed and the suspension of all non-essential travel, meetings, and conferences in place until further notice.
We recognize that there may need to be regional differences relative to reopening offices between New York, Washington, D.C., and Austin, Texas, and so we will be prepared to visit the timing of reopening with our management staff in each of these as local conditions warrant. Ultimately the decision in all cases will remain with the Presiding Bishop’s office. For staff who must come to the offices at 815 during this closure period, we ask that you conclude your work as quickly as possible and then leave. Please remember you must contact Su Hadden or Bill Savarese for an appointment to enter the building.
We understand and sympathize with those of you who are challenged to work remotely, and that if we could offer a date-certain for reopening it would be ideal, but the uncertainty of this present time makes any firm date suggested unrealistic. As an expression of Jesus’ command to love our neighbor, we are committed to the safety and health of all of our staff, visitors and those who come to our offices.
May we be God’s blessings, and instruments of God’s love. May the words of the Apostle Paul ring loudly and true in our hearts, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God.” (2 Cor 1:3-4)
Yours in Christ,
+Michael
The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop
On behalf of the Executive Leadership Team:
The Reverend Gay Clark Jennings, President of the House of Deputies
The Reverend Canon Michael Barlowe, D.D., Secretary of the General Convention and Executive Officer
N. Kurt Barnes, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
The Reverend Geoffrey T. Smith, Chief Operating Officer
The Reverend Canon C.K. Robertson, Ph.D., Canon to the Presiding Bishop for Ministry Beyond The Episcopal Church
The Reverend Canon Stephanie Spellers, Canon to the Presiding Bishop for Evangelism, Reconciliation, and Creation Care
The Reverend Canon E. Mark Stevenson, Canon to the Presiding Bishop for Ministry Within The Episcopal Church