Our Continued Response - 3/17/20
Beloved,
God bless you!
COMMUNITY!!
Community has been the theme word for a number of weeks and now is the time for us to rally together as a community to take care of each other and all of our neighbors during this time!
In order to do so, the Archdiocese has asked that we only hold services on Friday evenings and Sunday mornings and to limit the number of attendees to 10 people. That means that I encourage all of you to stay home and tune into the Live stream, an updated link will be sent out later. In addition, the Archdiocese is going to be providing resources for people to pray together at home. You can access the Archdiocese statement here: Encyclical
In order to keep us together as a community, we are looking to provide the following:
1. DAILY emails with reflections and links to wonderful resources!
2. At least once a week a live teaching opportunity over Zoom. The first will be an "Ask Abouna" at 6 pm, Wednesday.
3. At least once a week, a separate teaching or Scripture reflection done by video posted on our St. John Orthodox Church YouTube Channel: St John YouTube
4. A weekly women's teaching on Zoom continuing our discussion of the book Way of the Ascetics. A separate email with a link to the text will be sent to the Women of St. John and an invitation to that Zoom meeting.
5. The Church will remain open during the week if you would like to come and light a candle and offer individual prayers. That said, I do ask that you not use the church as simply a place to go during this time. Please, limit yourself to the nave and not using the library etc. We want to be mindful of the spread of the virus and keeping the Church clean. Please wash your hands or use hand sanitizer as you enter as well.
6. The teens are organizing to help make grocery runs for the elderly in our community. If you are in need of help with getting groceries or other errands, please contact Drew: drew@stjohnmemphis.org.
7. The teens will have a weekly discussion on Zoom on Tuesday evenings.
8. We are working on additional children's resources including a "virtual prayer table" and Atrium presentation.
9. Keep your eyes on the emails and the website for the most up-to-date information!
10. Pray for one another!
All of this is still in constant motion. The more that we continue to connect to Christ and His Church during this time, the better! You are all in my prayers!
With Love and Hope in Christ,
Fr. Philip