All Saints Church Postpones Annual Meeting, Discussion on “Vital Issues” Due to Coronavirus Concerns

Officials at All Saints Church have decided to postpone the second part of an important annual meeting, originally scheduled for this coming Sunday, March 15, until after Easter, as a result of heightened concerns about the developing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.

According to the church’s website, issues vital to our community” were scheduled to be discussed along with “Who we are becoming for years in the years to come.”

Rector Mike Kinman said the church will instead be sending out their 2019 financial annual report and 2020 budget report next week, so that every church member can prepare for the meeting where issues vital to the community are taken up.

“We need each other, we need community more than ever,” Kinman said. “Please pray for each other and reach out to one another. If you know someone who is not able to come to All Saints for these or other reasons, please reach out to them and be that connection. One of the opportunities of this season is for us to be more intentional and creative in how we come together and support each other as a community … and it will take all of us to do it.”

Last week, the church temporarily suspended offering wine at communion and advised church members to practice alternative methods of exchanging greetings – including using sign language – in response to COVID-19.

In the latest update, Kinman said All Saints Church is now instituting other practices through Easter, including advising those who are not well or are exhibiting any symptoms of illness to stay home and practice social distancing.

“Anyone in a worship leadership role who is feeling sick or is showing symptoms of illness will be asked to go home,” All Saints Rector Mike Kinman said in the update.

Kinman advised those who are staying home to follow religious events, including the Rector’s Forum and Sunday’s 11:15 a.m. service online through www.allsaints-pas.org/live-stream.

Church members who belong to a “vulnerable population” or are close to a member of a vulnerable population are advised to “strongly consider” staying home from worship and consider streaming the service online.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vulnerable populations include older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.

During events at the Church that involve serving food, food prepared at home will not be permitted, and providing pre-packaged and professionally prepared food is strongly suggested, the update said. Also, all food must be served by designated servers wearing food service gloves, which All Saints Church will be providing. Ministry groups are advised to self-designate servers. All food served must also be covered.

The Church will not be accepting requests for use of their facilities by outside church groups through the remainder of Lent, the update said.
During all events and meetings, event chairs and ministry leaders are advised to consider if the event can be done effectively by teleconference or video conference, and if the event or meeting involves a substantial number of people from a vulnerable population.

“As in all things, we are leading with what is most loving… particularly to those most vulnerable among us,” Kinman said. “Together, we can operate with an abundance of caution, as well as love and compassion.”