My dear friends,
Saint Alban’s Episcopal Church
I know that many of us are consumed by the news of the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic which has touched all of our lives in one way or another. And I know that we are equally concerned about the church’s response to this situation.
Today, our Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Michael Curry said: “The next 30-60 days at the least are simply going to be unlike anything we have experienced in recent history, even including 9/11. The dilemma of what we know and what we don’t know will continue to complicate our decision making and our lives… Obedience to the moral primacy of love for the neighbor must direct us.”
Our own Bishop, The Rt. Rev. John Taylor, has left the decision for how best to proceed to each individual congregation. A number of our neighboring Episcopal congregations – including All Saints, Beverley Hills; St. Matthew’s, Pacific Palisades; and St. Augustine by the Sea, Santa Monica – have made the decision to suspend Sunday morning worship, until further notice.
In consultation with our wardens, Suzanne Scarmack and Christine Mason, we have come to the difficult decision that we believe it is in the best interests of all of our members here at St. Alban’s to follow suit. Therefore, effective immediately, our Sunday morning worship services are suspended until further notice.
This means that there will be no services at St. Alban’s on Sunday, March 15, 2020.
We will re-evaluate the situation next week, and, if circumstances dictate, alter this course of action. We intend to keep our church office open during regular weekday office hours unless the situation changes.
In the meantime, there are several things we ask of you:
1. Continue to keep St. Alban’s, and all of our wider worldwide community, close in your prayers as we continue to
address this unfolding situation.
2. Contact your fellow parishioners to make sure that we communicate this decision throughout the congregation.
3. Continue to monitor your email, along with the St. Alban’s website and Facebook page for any updates.
For this Sunday, we encourage you to worship on-line at one of the following sites:
8:15 a.m. Washington National Cathedral, with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preaching, at
8:00 and 10:15 a.m. Morning Prayer with St. Matthew’s, Pacific Palisades at their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/
Thank you for your consideration and prayers during these challenging days.
Faithfully,
Bob Honeychurch, Interim Rector
580 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024 Phone: 310-280-6516
