With Covid-19 cases surging in the state, the dioceses of Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan have jointly announced that masks will be required for indoor gatherings for all. They had been required of clergy, liturgy leaders and choirs, and strongly recommended for others.
How does your diocese stand in comparison?
A COVID-19 Directive Update From Bishop Perry
January 11, 2022
Dear Friends:
In collaboration with the Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan, the Diocese of Michigan will institute the following temporary COVID19 directives, effective Sunday, January 16, 2022, the Second Sunday after Epiphany:
- Masks are required to be worn (covering mouth and nose) for all indoor gatherings. This includes all instances where there is more than one person in a room at a time: worship, vestry and annual meetings, formation classes, office spaces, community groups, etc. For worship, the preacher only may remove their mask while delivering the sermon. This exception does not extend to readers or other members of the altar party.
- Coffee hour and any gatherings with food or drinks are now prohibited.
- Congregations with community meal programs are asked to return to “carry out/take away” food options only.
These temporary measures are to remain in place through the first week of February, with the possibility of extension past February 6, 2022. The leadership of the 3 lower peninsula dioceses will meet again in early February to determine if these provisions need to be extended or changed.
We will remain in Phase 3 of the Plan for Re-entry for Great Lakes Episcopalians while observing these additional, temporary restrictions.
I am grateful for everything that our worshipping communities do to keep everyone safe and will support congregations that choose additional safety measures, such as return to online worship only. Please reach out to me or members of my staff if we can be helpful as you consider such temporary measures.
If you are not fully vaccinated already, please do so as soon as possible and encourage others in your life to do the same. Questions regarding this directive can be addressed to Jo Ann Hardy, Canon to the Ordinary, at 313.833.4422 or jhardy@edomi.org
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Bonnie A. Perry
11th Bishop of the Diocese of Michigan