Dear People of All Saints,

As we live amid rapid changes caused by the spread of COVID-19, I want to make sure that you are informed about All Saints’ actions and responses. Below is an update regarding the current state of affairs at All Saints, as well as our plan to stay connected during these challenging times.

Today, Bishop Taylor sent a diocesan-wide communication “suspending all in-person worship in the Diocese of Los Angeles at least through Easter Day, April 12. This restriction also applies to all on-campus meetings… and other activities.” Because of our inability to provide the necessary social distance in our Parish Hall, we closed our doors to all such gatherings last week. We have also suspended operations of the Parish School, the Friendship Center, and meetings of all other outside organizations. We will inform you when in-person gatherings resume.

Please log on to our Virtual Service to find connection, comfort, and strength through our common prayer. We will continue to provide opportunities for us to worship together virtually during this time of increased social isolation, though what that worship looks like may change as requirements for social isolation change. Bishop Taylor will also offer a service of Morning Prayer from his home this Sunday, March 22 at 10 a.m.; watch it here.

Resources for Daily Prayer and Scripture Reading are also available here. Please see our Pray Online section of our website for more online resources to support you spiritually.

In his March 17 communication, Bishop Taylor also instructed that all staff members who can work from home should now do so. Additionally, he said that those over 65, lay and ordained, should self-isolate, as should those with chronic disease. Therefore, the Church Office is closed until further notice. Staff will still be available by email and phone. We are working to forward our office phones so calls can continue to be answered during business hours, messages conveyed, and calls returned.

Please inform the Office if you are sick or in need of pastoral care (805-969-4771). If you need assistance preparing to shelter in place, please let Rev. Vicki know. We have parishioners who have volunteered to grocery shop for vulnerable parishioners. Furthermore, if you are diagnosed with COVID-19, for the well-being of our church community, please let the clergy know. We can inform the community of potential contact while ensuring parishioner anonymity.

If you are able and willing to assist vulnerable parishioners with preparing for home isolation, please contact Rev. Vicki. She will connect people who can help with people who need help. Please only offer assistance if you are not in a vulnerable population.

All Saints will continue to keep you informed through our Bell Tower and via a “Being All Saints Amid COVID-19” email when updates are necessary. (They will be shorter in the future!) We will also send out weekly links to our Virtual Services. If you know someone who does not have email or use a computer, please let us know who they are so that we can work together to keep them informed and connected.

All Saints clergy, staff, vestry, and lay leaders are working prayerfully and diligently to find ways to stay connected to one another during this time of isolation. However, it takes a village, or in this case a Church. If you have ideas about how we can minister to one another during this time, please talk to us to see how you might make your idea a reality! This is a perfect time to remember that the church is not a building, nor the clergy, nor staff, but the Body of Christ——each one of you——called to be ministers to a broken world.

Finally, I want to encourage you all to take seriously the directives of those charged with our public health and safety. Regardless of whether you like or believe what they say, remember that these public servants have dedicated their lives to keeping you safe. Gov. Newsom has called for home isolation of everyone 65 and older, and for people with chronic disease. The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department is continuing to mandate social distancing measures to slow the spread of the virus. They are asking residents to avoid unnecessary outings and practice diligent distancing of 6 feet or more between persons when in the community. I ask that you please heed their call, if not for your sake (which is important!) then for the sake of the common good, especially the most vulnerable. You can find the latest Santa Barbara County Public Health Department communication here.

God of all creation, whose people prepared a tabernacle for you and carried it with them through the wilderness so they would never be alone: If we must venture into a landscape transformed by crisis, may we be living vessels of your mercy, grace, and love. Remind us to carry our treasure gingerly, with a respectful six feet between ourselves and all the other tabernacles. Make of us big vessels of friendliness, patience, and forgiveness in parking lots, the marketplace, and at home. May we be balm for the sick, isolated, and overlooked and a catalyst for change for those who do not promote what is best for all your people. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.