COVID-19 Updates and Resources | Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts

This page collects Diocese of Massachusetts updates and information regarding ongoing COVID-19 response.

Guidance and messages from our bishops & leadership

The most recent updates and pertinent guideline documents are linked below. Find a complete list of updates and messages issued in 2020 on the COVID-19 Updates Archive page.

Nov. 15, 2021: Reflection from Bishop Gates with modified guidelines
Aug. 16, 2021: Pastoral message from Bishop Harris with current requirements & recommendations
May 20, 2021: Bishops' pastoral letter with updated guidance
April 15, 2021: Bishops' pastoral letter with renewed guidance
March 4, 2021: Bishops' pastoral letter with renewed guidance
Jan. 21, 2021: Bishops' guidance for Ash Wednesday
Expanded guidelines for Stage Two, issued Aug. 6, 2020:

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
Stage Two Regathering Checklist issued June 15, 2020:
Stage Two Regathering Checklist
Stage Two Regathering Checklist in Spanish
Guidelines issued on May 18, 2020:

"A Journey By Stages: Gathering, Serving & Growing as The Episcopal Church in Massachusetts During & Beyond a Time of Pendemic"

"UNA JORNADO POR ETAPAS"

Find all updates and messages issued in 2020 on the COVID-19 Updates Archive page.

Online worship

Find a church

Many congregations are re-gathering in a variety of ways for in-person worship and activities as public health circumstances allow in their local contexts, and many are continuing to offer livestreamed services and other online gathering opportunities as well. Please consult local church websites and listings for details and local schedules.

Our "Find a Church" directory is available here.

Zoom, YouTube, Facebook Live

Zoom:

Find best practices for Zoom meetings, from VTS's Building Faith, here, and a "How to Use Zoom for Large Meetings" tip sheet here.
Beware of Zoom-bombers and read this Zoom advisory: "Keep the Party Crashers from Crashing Your Zoom Event."

YouTube:

YouTube's "Playbook" for creating digital events is available here.
"How to Create a Mobile YouTube Livestream"
"How to Use Live Control Room for Livestreaming on YouTube"

Facebook Live:

Find a tutorial, from St. Anne's-in-the-Fields Church in Lincoln, on streaming via Facebook Live, here

Livestreaming and copyrights

U.S. Copyright Issues Related to Live-Streaming Music

Liturgy, music and prayer resources

Visit our Liturgy and Music Resources page to find liturgical resources gathered by our diocesan Liturgy and Music Commission for use in homes and online worship, including forms for Agape meals (here and here).

Food insecurity

Project Bread FoodSource Hotline: 1-800-645-8333; available in 160 languages, open 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays throughout the crisis (TTY line: 1-800-377-1292).

Hotline counselors provide callers with up-to-date information on food resources—including new school meal sites, food pantries and federal programs—and assist callers with applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps.

Mental health, domestic violence & substance addiction resources

During this time, ordinary channels for mental health may be disrupted and support groups, like 12-Step meetings, may not operate at the usual places and times. Those under quarantine, sheltering at home or feeling isolated or fearful may need additional support, and the risk of domestic violence may increase. Visit our Mental Health and Domestic Violence Resources page for links to support services.