COVID-19 Resources

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Quick Reference Guide

May we have…

In-person worship outdoors? YES, if your locality has 25 or fewer new daily cases per 100,000 (effective 3/25/21). To check the status for your locality, please use this map of public health conditions in counties and cities around the Diocese.
In-person worship indoors? YES, if your locality has 25 or fewer new daily cases per 100,000 (effective 3/25/21) and your plan for regathering has already been approved. We would recommend that you wait until you've remained at this level or less for three weeks before proceeding, but that's a decision for clergy and vestry to make. To check the status for your locality, please use this map of public health conditions in counties and cities around the Diocese.
Live-streaming or pre-recording of services in the sanctuary? YES, if you already have permission to do so, following the guidelines referenced below.
Drive-in services in the parking lot or other location? Yes, following these guidelines.
Can we share in the Eucharist? Yes, according to these guidelines.
What is the maximum number of people we may have for indoor worship? Outdoor worship? The number of people who may gather depends upon the size of your church’s indoor and outdoor spaces. It should be the number you submitted to the Bishop’s Office in your regathering plan. This number must allow for people/households to remain six feet apart in all directions.
Can people who have been vaccinated gather/meet in greater numbers? At this time, no special allowances are to be made for those who have been vaccinated. The same gathering guidelines apply to all, whether they have or have not been vaccinated.
Baptisms? YES, within the guidelines for indoor or outdoor worship, and following the guidance here.
Funerals? YES, within the guidelines for indoor or outdoor worship, and following the guidance here.
Weddings? YES, within the guidelines for indoor or outdoor worship, and following the guidance here.
Confirmations? YES, during a scheduled Bishop’s Visitation or our Diocesan Day of Commitment on September 18. (Locations around the Diocese to be announced.)
Eucharistic visitation? YES, if your locality has 25 or fewer new daily cases per 100,000 (effective 3/25/21), following these written guidelines and instructional video.
Pastoral visitation? Yes, if your locality has 25 or fewer new daily cases per 100,000 (effective 3/25/21), following the same guidelines as those for Eucharistic visitation, but not including the sharing of communion.
Outreach activities inside? Yes, as determined by the rector and vestry. Food pantries, thrift shops and other in-person activities must follow all protocols for masks, distancing and cleaning. See best practices for food pantries.

Other questions? If the answer is not listed in this FAQ, please contact Bishop Susan Goff at sgoff@thediocese.net.

Click for guidance on Frequently Asked Questions.

Announcements from Bishop Goff, guidelines for pastoral care, FAQs from clergy calls. Read more.

Includes regathering guidelines, checklists and a health marker analysis by location. Read more.

From online giving to financial administration. Read more.

Includes tutorials on streaming services, Zoom, and Facebook Live, best practices for virtual liturgy, music, links to online worship and more.

Prayers, devotions, tools for youth ministry and resources for at-home and online worship. Read more.

Includes food ministries, caring for our most vulnerable, guidelines regarding groups that use your church space. Read more.

Mensajes de los obispos y recursos para adoración en línea. Mas.

For more breaking news, please refer to: CDC Information on COVID-19 / Virginia Department of Health site on COVID-19 / The National Episcopal Church COVID Resources / Governor Northam's March 23 Call with Faith Leaders