March 15, 2020

A Message from Rt. Rev. Alan Scarfe, Bishop of Iowa:

As COVID-19 spreads, and there are ever new cancellations and closures, both locally and nationally, we need to consider how our collective behavior as people of faith can best assist the efforts to slow down its impact and protect our neighbors. What does it mean to be faithful at an unprecedented time like this? I believe that we show God’s love to our neighbor in these circumstances by keeping each other as safe as we can, and by practicing good social distancing. This requires us not to gather in public worship for this crucial period of time as we seek to do what we can to help even out the expected contagion (what is being called “flattening the curve”).

We will suspend in-person public worship after this weekend for at least the next two weeks. Resources for worshipping in our homes is being provided below, and other ideas to deepen our Lenten practices. I will lead online worship for the diocese on March 22nd and March 29th (more details to come). We will re-assess where we are as we approach Holy Week. Some of you, I know, have decided not to worship in-person beginning this weekend, and I would encourage you to join in the streamed online worship from the National Cathedral on Sunday at which the Presiding Bishop is preaching.

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Because of the Church of the Savior's small space, in which worshippers are in close proximity to one another, we are advised not to meet this Sunday. We are invited to watch Presiding Bishop Michael Curry celebrate Holy Communion at the National Cathedral this week at 10:00 a.m. Here's the link:National Cathedral 10:00