Dear Parishioners,

The past two weeks have been an emotional whirlwind. It reminds me of the equal but opposite feeling that I had at the beginning of the pandemic. Then it was an exercise of waking up to a new reality and seeing what plans would have to be thrown out of the window. Seeing new ministries start, celebrating Easter together, and going on family vacations all went out of the window one by one. Again, reality is changing faster than we are able to predict or adapt, and again our plans are going out of the window. The difference is that this weekend I get to see my parents again when they come up to visit, and this Sunday when I hear you say, “and also with you!”, because being back together fills my heart with hope and joy. Our season of isolation is slowly coming to an end, and we are reminded once again to live in the moment, realize that we were never in control, and trust in God.

So much has changed in the past week, I also want to remind you that COVID guidelines have surprisingly and drastically evaporated in the Diocese of Virginia, and our policy is remarkably simple, which is to wear a mask when you are indoors. You no longer have to register for anything, you can just show up and go to Church, and you don’t even have to wear a mask when you are outside. We are keeping the indoor mask requirement in place for a number of reasons, a major one being that many, especially our children, are still not vaccinated. We have made so much progress on this front, please stay with us with this one rule until we are ready to move forward together. There will be a few other things that will be different, but all-in-all when you come to Church at 10:00 on Sunday it will feel like it did before the pandemic, and for once, you can show me how you all do Church!

Unlike eighteen months ago, I wake up excited with the new possibilities that come with the new day, and I am beyond thrilled to meet you all in person as we celebrate God’s grace.

Blessings,

Nick