COVID-19 Updates Archive

This is an archive list of COVID-19 response updates, messages and reflections issued in 2020.  For the most recent updates and directives, visit the COVID-19 Updates & Resources page.

• Dec. 26 update regarding Governor Baker's new restrictions
   
• Nov. 19 MA bishops' pastoral message with updated guidance
   
• Nov. 16 Guidelines for parish annual meetings during the pandemic
   
• Oct. 2 update
  Including Zoom gatherings Oct. 27-29 and risk level map by city/town
   
• Oct. 2:  Pandemic Impact Report form distributed to congregations for response  Recognizing that many congregations have been affected financially over recent months, the Diocesan Council has distributed an online Pandemic Financial Impact Report form for every congregation to complete and submit as soon as possible. The data collected will be used to help assess the needs incurred by congregations because of the pandemic.
   
• Sept. 3 update from Canon Bill Parnell
  Includes: Additional COVID-19 Resources
   
• Aug. 6 update for clergy, wardens, treasurers
  Includes: 
  Expanded Guidelines for Stage Two: Holy Communion, Pastoral Visits, Holy Baptism
  
  Directrices de la Etapa Dos ampliadas para la Santa Comunión, las Visitas Pastorales y el Santo Bautismo
  
  A Journey By Stages Expanded Protocol and Consent for Youth Ministry
  
  Una jornada por etapas: reunirse en la Etapa Dos Reuniones de participantes de grupos de jóvenes
  
  Also:
  Diocesan Council letter regarding "Pandemic Impact Survey"
  Aug. 15 deadline for COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund grants
  Families First Coronavirus Response Act reminder
   
• June 23 update for clergy, wardens, treasurers
  Includes:  Regathering and HR matters; Expanded criteria for Emergency Response Fund grants; Summer sermon series for use by congregations in July & August
   
• June 16 update for clergy, wardens, treasurers
  Includes: Stage Two Regathering checklist in Spanish; Zoom meetings regarding Church Insurance, rental agreements & church-operated businesses; Paycheck Protection Program updates; Employee considerations & accommodations
   
• June 15 bishops' guidance regarding preparing for Stage Two regathering
  Includes Stage Two Regathering checklist
   
• June 10 update for clergy, wardens, treasurers
   
• "Called to be a new and changed community": May 29 pastoral reflection from Bishop Harris
   
• "Trimming graves, banging pots and other forms of gratitude": May 22 pastoral reflection from Bishop Gates
   
• Guidelines issued on May 18:
    
  "A Journey By Stages: Gathering, Serving & Growing as The Episcopal Church in Massachusetts During & Beyond a Time of Pendemic"  
  
  "UNA JORNADO POR ETAPAS"
   
• May 12: Bishops extend restriction on in-person public worship and gatherings in churches until July 1
   
• "Preparing for transformation in this in-between time": May 15 pastoral reflection from Bishop Harris
   
• "Sacramental hunger and eucharistic practice": May 8 pastoral reflection from Bishop Gates
   
• "Get with the love of God": May 1 pastoral reflection from Bishop Harris
   
• April 30 update for clergy and wardens
   
• "Out of sync": April 25 pastoral reflection from Bishop Gates
   
• "It matters in these times": April 17 pastoral reflection from Bishop Harris
   
• April 16 update for clergy and leadership
  Includes:  COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund information; Contingency planning for clergy; Additional CARES Act information; Additional ways to care for one another (gun safety information; Red Cross blood drive sites needed; "Open the Hotels" letter advocating hotels as temporary shelter for those who are unhoused)
   
• Audio of Holy Tuesday messages to online clergy gathering from Bishop Gates and Bishop Harris & Text of Bishop Gates’s Holy Tuesday message
• "Patience is only a part": April 3 pastoral reflection from Bishop Harris
   
• March 31 update for clergy and leadership
  Includes:  Keeping track of worship attendance; online giving platforms; additional financial and operational updates
   
• "Lean on God and pray": March 27 pastoral reflection from Bishop Gates
   
• March 25 update for clergy and leadership
   
• March 21 update for clergy and leadership
   
• "For the facing of this hour": March 20 pastoral message from Bishop Harris
   
• March 16 update for clergy and wardens
   
• "At no time are we alone": March 14 pastoral message from Bishop Gates
   
• March 12 pastoral guidance from Bishop Gates 
   
• March 11 directive from Bishop Gates and Bishop Harris
   
• March 5 message from Bishop Gates and Bishop Harris