The Rt. Rev. Craig Loya

Hold On, Dear Ones

From the Bishop

Beloved in Christ,

Currently, COVID positivity rates in most parts of the state are below 5%, which means that faith communities in many parts of our diocese are able to resume some form of in-person worship if they choose to do so. As a reminder, per our regathering plan and at the recommendation of our task force, a faith community can begin to move into Phase 2 and reopen if the 7-day positivity rate for their county is below 5% AND they have submitted a re-opening plan with our task force. 

In the coming weeks and months, there will be a wide variety of approaches around ECMN. Many faith communities have discerned it is best for them to regather in some limited way as soon as possible, and that they are able to safely and responsibly do so. Many others have opted to wait until later in the year when more people have been vaccinated and more people are able to gather with less risk. From where I sit, I have the immense privilege of seeing lay and ordained leaders discern both of those approaches in deeply loving, faithful, and thoughtful ways. While we have learned a great deal about how to live through a pandemic, it remains a nearly impossible task to lead communities through this time, and leaders are making hard decisions and heartbreaking tradeoffs in the best way they are able for the communities they love and serve. 

As in all things, our diversity is part of our strength, and I hope we will navigate this next phase of the pandemic with generosity and patience toward one another, and with a generous spirit toward all those faithful disciples who are leading our faith communities. 

Everything about this has been so very hard, and I am so proud of the way everyone around ECMN has pulled together to navigate these stormy waters with love and care. Hold on, dear ones, we are not yet at the end of this challenging season, but we can see the signs of spring on the horizon, even in these days of deep freeze in Minnesota. 

Grace and Peace,

The Right Reverend Craig Loya
X Bishop
Episcopal Church in Minnesota