Fort Worth rector beats coronavirus after a two-week battle

From Ft. Worth-

As he sat in an isolation room at a hospital in Fort Worth, the Rev. Robert Pace felt humbled.

Days earlier, he thought he had the flu. His body ached and he woke up with a deep cough and fever. 

He visited his doctor, who sent him home with a Tamiflu prescription and directions to keep hydrated. Soon, his fever went away. He led the Lenten program at Trinity Episcopal Church of Fort Worth on March 4, but made sure to stay out of close contact with worshipers. He didn’t shake their hands.

But then the fever returned and suddenly it got harder to breathe, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He skipped church that Sunday. Then his friends started to call him.

“Did you see someone at that conference you went to tested positive for COVID-19?” they asked.

More here-

 https://www.tdtnews.com/news/coronavirus/article_b64cc12e-75a6-11ea-8dda-33e55700ae00.html

Houses of worship classified as essential, many taking action to assure safety comes first

From South West Florida-

“Some have gone virtual, some have had people, but they’ve been spread out far enough. I mean you guys are spread out here in this press conference, there’s no reason why you couldn’t do a church service with people 10 feet apart. So, we definitely ask they to absolutely abide by the social distancing guidelines,” said Governor DeSantis during a press conference Thursday afternoon.

Foundation Church in Englewood announced on their Facebook they'll be meeting in person for worship this Sunday because “they’re no longer slaves of fear.” 

ABC 7 reached out to the Foundation Church leaders to inquire about how they’ll practice social distancing come Sunday at their service, but we haven’t heard back yet. 

Others, like a priest in the Diocese of the Episcopal Church says he decided to make the shift to digital beginning this week because his parish is largely senior citizens. 

"I think we all enjoy our first amendment liberties but with rights come responsibility. I think we need to do our part in making sure we don't overload our medical system and the doctors and nurses who are working very hard,” said Episcopal Diocese of southwest Florida, Rev. Matthew Grunfeld. 

More here-

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2020/04/04/houses-worship-classified-essential-many-taking-action-assure-safety-comes-first/

Rabbi and bishop offer messages of hope as holy season nears

Video from "Today"-

With Holy Week and Passover just days away, Rabbi Shai Held of the Hadar Institute and Rev. Michael Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, join TODAY. “We can navigate through tough times by holding onto God’s hand and holding on to each other’s hands – at a respectful social distance,” Bishop Curry says. Rabbi Held says to “get on the computer” to connect with loved ones: “We still have the capacity to reach out and show love for each other.”

More here-

https://www.today.com/video/rabbi-and-bishop-offer-messages-of-hope-as-holy-season-nears-81587269644

Pentecostal church in Sacramento linked to dozens of coronavirus cases

From California-


A Pentecostal church in a Sacramento suburb is the epicenter of a coronavirus outbreak with more than six dozen confirmed cases, prompting county officials to warn against religious gatherings.
“It’s outrageous that this is happening,” said Dr. Peter Beilenson, the Sacramento County public health director. “Obviously there is freedom of religion, but when it’s impacting public health as this is, we have to enforce social distancing.”

The church, Bethany Slavic Missionary Church, did not immediately return a call for comment Thursday. But Beilenson said health officials were concerned that church members may still be meeting in private homes to conduct services, despite county orders. 

“Whether or not you have community-wide sermons or meetings in people’s houses, they are all dangers and they are very detrimental to the public’s health,” Beilenson said. 

More here-

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-04-02/pentecostal-church-in-sacramento-linked-to-dozens-of-coronavirus-cases

In life's last moments, US clergy minister to the sick and dying via FaceTime and Zoom

From Stars and Stripes-

The Rev. Peter Walsh has always treasured the tactile job of performing last rites for his congregants before their deaths, noticing with awe the way that anointing a person with holy oil and laying his hands on their body seems to make them approach their last moments more easily.

But William Pike, a 91-year-old member of Walsh's Episcopal church in New Canaan, Connecticut, was dying of the novel coronavirus.

Walsh realized he would need to do something he had never done before: He administered the last rites by FaceTime.

Pike was unconscious, but a hospital staff member recharged his iPhone and held it up to him, and Walsh believed that his friend could hear him. "I told Bill I loved him, that he was mightily loved by his whole community. That he was a great man," Walsh said in an interview. "I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit to do things that we cannot make sense out of. I simply imagined that the hands of the Lord were laid upon him, and not my hands."

More here-

https://www.stripes.com/news/us/in-life-s-last-moments-us-clergy-minister-to-the-sick-and-dying-via-facetime-and-zoom-1.624617

Bishops of New York State commend Governor Cuomo’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic

From New York-

From the Bishops of New York State:

The bishops of the Episcopal Church in the State of New York sent a letter to New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo today, commending his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Signing bishops include the Rt. Rev. Dr. DeDe Duncan-Probe, Bishop of Central New York.  The text of the letter follows and is linked at: cnyepiscopal.org/2020/04/bishops-of-new-york-state-commend-governor-cuomos-handling-of-the-covid-19-pandemic

About the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York: The Episcopal Diocese of Central New York is made up of 11,000 members worshiping in 85 congregations in 14 counties in the center of New York State, including Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Seneca, Tioga, and Tompkins.

Dear Governor Cuomo:

As the bishops of the Episcopal Church in the State of New York and the spiritual leaders of more than 130,000 New Yorkers, we write today to offer our thanks and support for your leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. You are in our prayers during this difficult time.

 More here-

https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/news/up-to-the-minute/bishops-of-new-york-state-commend-governor-cuomos-handling-of-the-covid-19-pandemic/

 

Matthew Broderick’s sister admits preferential coronavirus treatment, feels awful about it, report says

From New Jersey-

The sister of actor Matthew Broderick, who until last spring was a church pastor in Morristown, says being related to a celebrity got her special attention during her near-fatal bout with coronavirus at a California hospital.

“I think I’m absolute living proof that this system is completely corrupt,” the told New York Magazine.

Rev. Janet Broderick, rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Beverly Hills,

The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles announced May 11 that Broderick, 64, had coronavirus and was being treated for a “severe form of pneumonia" at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills, and had tested positive for coronavirus.

In the magazine interview, she was asked if she received “preferential treatment being a religious leader and Matthew Broderick’s sister."

“Yes, but I feel evil for saying that," Broderick replied.

“My GP (general practitioner) didn’t know I was Matthew Broderick’s sister and didn’t care very much. As soon as I got ahold of the guy at the hospital who knew who Matthew was, I was given the name of the head of the emergency room," Broderick told the magazine.

More here-

https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/04/matthew-brodericks-sister-admits-preferential-treatment-for-coronavirus-feels-awful-about-it-report-says.html

Two more people who attended Episcopal conference in Louisville have COVID-19

From Louisville-

Two more people who attended an Episcopal conference at the Omni Hotel in late February have tested positive for the coronavirus. 

They join six others who were at the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes conference, which was held Feb. 19-22, then tested positive for the coronavirus. 

In a March 24 letter, CEEP executive director Joe Swimmer wrote, "Based on what health officials have told us, it is impossible to be certain if these individuals had the virus while at the conference or acquired it after leaving. Regardless, all of us should be taking precautions to protect ourselves and those around us." 

More here-

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2020/04/01/two-more-episcopal-conference-attendees-have-covid-19/5109266002/

First Openly Gay Bishop To Lead The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri With Hope And Vision

From Missouri-

The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri will soon have a new bishop. The Rev. Deon Johnson officially will become the 11th bishop of the diocese when he is consecrated on June 13. Johnson’s transition into the role is historic: He’s the first openly gay bishop to lead the Diocese of Missouri. 

He and his husband and their two kids moved to St. Louis in February with hopes of getting adjusted to the region. That was put on hold as the coronavirus pandemic grew. St. Louis Public Radio’s Marissanne Lewis-Thompson spoke with Johnson about his new role and how he’s approaching the position in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Marissanne Lewis-Thompson: What kind of guidance has the diocese given as a result of everything that’s going on with the coronavirus?

Deon Johnson: In the midst of all of this, the highest priority are the people in our communities, making sure that they stay safe. So, one of the things that has come out of the bishop's office here in the Diocese of Missouri is that we have closed all public worship until the end of May, at which point we'll re-evaluate. But we really wanted to make sure that those vulnerable populations, our neighbors in Christ, were not going to be impacted directly by actions of either clergy or just going to church or getting together.

More here-

https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/first-openly-gay-bishop-lead-episcopal-diocese-missouri-hope-and-vision#stream/0

One priest who died of the coronavirus could have helped us cope with it

From Washington-

The life of the Rev. Canon William Barnwell, a crusading, liberal, Episcopalian priest who died March 27 of (suspected) coronavirus in New Orleans, could teach lessons we all should apply as we respond to the current contagion.

Barnwell was my friend, just as he was a friend to many other conservatives despite political disagreements. He had a rare ability, as described by journalist Jed Horne in a March 29 obituary: “He could read a room — and immediately begin putting together people he thought might be good at energizing each other in common cause.” 

He could quickly discern which subjects were ones on which you and he would never agree and push them aside forever. He could figure out which things were negotiable disagreements and bank them in his mind for later, cordial discussion. But with just a few probing questions or suggestions, he would find common ground on other topics and immediately home in. How could that agreement be turned into concrete action — and how quickly? And crucially, how could it be organized and leveraged to be most effective? He wanted discernible results, not merely feel-good fulminations or worthless wheel spinning.

More here-

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/one-priest-who-died-of-the-coronavirus-could-have-helped-us-cope-with-it

Episcopal priest, first coronavirus case in nation's capital released from hospital

From Christian Post-

The first confirmed case of coronavirus in Washington, D.C., an Episcopal priest, has been released from the hospital and is continuing his recovery at home.

The Rev. Tim Cole, rector at Christ Church Georgetown, recently garnered headlines when he became the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the District of Columbia.

Chad Thorley, senior warden of Christ Church Georgetown, told media that Cole had been cleared to return home and was discharged on Thursday.

“He spent three whole weeks in the hospital. That was a long ride for him and a long ride for all of us,” Thorley, told news station WTOP. “And the recovery has been slow, but he’s definitely on the upswing now, and he’s resting comfortably at home.”

More here-

https://www.christianpost.com/news/episcopal-priest-rev-tim-cole-first-coronavirus-case-in-nations-capital-released-from-hospital.html 

and here-

https://www.fox5dc.com/video/669223

'Zoombombing' comes for houses of worship

From RNS-

On Sunday, Alex Merritt was signed in to the Zoom video conferencing app, discussing a biblical passage with members of his Sunday school young adults group at St. David's Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas.

Then the trolls attacked.

Some began sharing their screens and drawing obscene images over the text the group had been discussing. "You are being hacked! You are being hacked!" one shouted. Another turned on his video and began revealing his genitals.

“It was generally chaotic and impossible to stop,” recalled Merritt. “It was a huge wake-up call for me because I'm an elementary public school teacher, and I don't want the children in my class exposed to any of the pornographic images that trolls sent us.”

The mass transition of houses of worship to Zoom and other online video conferencing platforms has meant that religious services are more accessible than ever before.

Unfortunately for digital congregants, that means they are also more accessible to online trolls who have plenty of free time to disrupt their services with obscene or hateful interruptions.

More here-

https://religionnews.com/2020/03/30/zoombombing-epidemic-comes-for-houses-of-worship/

Underground Kitchen partners with Episcopal Diocese of Virginia to expand food relief program

From Virginia-

An acclaimed Richmond “roving dinner series” and the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia are pairing up to help feed the Richmond area during the COVID-19 crisis. 

Underground Kitchen and the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, a Christian community serving nearly 68,000 members and 179 churches throughout Virginia, will partner as part of UGK’s “Community Comes First” food relief program, launched in March to help those in need during Virginia’s COVID-19 outbreaks. 

Over the past two weeks, Underground Kitchen has worked with its team of chefs as well as partners, donors, and volunteers to distribute soup, bread, and tea for free to the metro RVA region. They specifically distribute to:

• Those who are home-bound due to health or logistical restrictions or because they are quarantined

• Emergency and health care workers, including EMT, fire, and police, who typically don’t have time after long shifts to shop or make a healthy meal

• Family members, care-givers, and patients who are in temporary residence in hospital houses while patients undergo treatment

More here-

https://www.wtvr.com/news/coronavirus/virginia-together/underground-kitchen-partners-with-episcopal-diocese-of-virginia-to-expand-food-relief-program

Why did you assault priests? Church asks government

From Kenya-

Leaders of the Anglican Church in Kisii have faulted the approaches the government is using to fight Covid-19.

Kisii Bishop John Omangi wants the government to view the church as an ally and not the enemy in the ongoing efforts to stem the spread of the disease.

Omangi said the sporadic raids on churches and arrests of the clergy painted a wrong picture as the country battles to contain the novel virus that has so far killed more than 30,000 people across the globe.

"As clergy, we appreciate the efforts to contain this disease but the raids on churches and clobbering of priests is uncalled for," said Omangi.

More here-

https://www.the-star.co.ke/counties/nyanza/2020-03-29-why-did-you-assault-priests-church-asks-government/

Fort Worth rector beat coronavirus after a two-week battle

From Ft. Worth-

As he sat in an isolation room at a hospital in Fort Worth, the Rev. Robert Pace felt humbled.

Days earlier, he thought he had the flu. His body ached and he woke up with a deep cough and fever. He visited his doctor, who sent him home with a Tamiflu prescription and directions to keep hydrated. Soon, his fever went away. He led the Lenten program at Trinity Episcopal Church of Fort Worth on March 4, but made sure to stay out of close contact with worshipers. He didn’t shake their hands.

But then the fever returned and suddenly it got harder to breathe, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He skipped church that Sunday. Then his friends started to call him.

“Did you see someone at that conference you went to tested positive for COVID-19?” they asked.

https://www.abqjournal.com/1438110/fort-worth-rector-beat-coronavirus-after-a-two-week-battle.html

Churches Are Going Online To Keep The Faithful Connected

From Hawaii-

Jasmine “Jazzy” Bostock began Sunday as she normally would: leading an early morning worship service for parishioners at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, a multi-generational church in downtown Honolulu.

But Sunday was different. Instead of speaking to a sea of faces inside St. Peter’s historic sanctuary, Bostock was inside her home, her laptop perched on her kitchen table as she spoke into the camera and delivered a sermon to members — virtually.

“It was a little bizarre to be setting up for worship in my home and hoping my neighbor’s dog wouldn’t bark as I was video recording,” Bostock, a curate at the church, said with a chuckle. “It’s definitely an adjustment.”

More here-

https://www.civilbeat.org/2020/03/churches-are-going-online-to-keep-the-faithful-connected/

Christian leaders don’t see coronavirus pandemic as God’s way of punishing humankind

From South Carolina-

In the wake of crises, questions often arise in religious circles about God’s role in human suffering.

The coronavirus has been no different, as thousands die and leave behind mourning loved ones.

As communities attempt to decipher whether the coronavirus is God’s way of punishing humankind for the violence, injustices and other wrongdoings that persist in the world, religious leaders caution against drawing correlations between human sin and undesirable conditions. 

For Christians, ideas about God’s role in human pain should attempt to make sense of three truths: God loves humankind, God is all powerful, and evil exists, said R.J. Gore, who serves as Dean of Erskine Theological Seminary.

“Those are the things you have to square,” Gore said. “So many different viewpoints deal with the problem by putting one of the three away.”

More here-

https://www.postandcourier.com/health/covid19/christian-leaders-don-t-see-coronavirus-pandemic-as-god-s/article_16703eda-6de8-11ea-a66c-a31462e1c9ed.html

DC’s first confirmed COVID-19 patient recovering at home

From D.C.-

After being the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the District, Father Tim Cole with Christ Church Georgetown is now out of the hospital after being tested and cleared.

“He spent three whole weeks in the hospital. That was a long ride for him and a long ride for all of us,” said Chad Thorley, Senior Warden of Christ Church Georgetown. “And the recovery has been slow, but he’s definitely on the upswing now, and he’s resting comfortably at home.”

Thorley said Father Tim was discharged from the hospital late Thursday.

“He had some serious issues with his lungs themselves, and that will take some time to repair itself. So now that he’s home, it’s basically just rest and taking it easy, doing some work from the house, but not anything like he would usually be doing if he hadn’t had this happen,” Thorley said.

More here-

https://wtop.com/dc/2020/03/dcs-first-confirmed-covid-19-patient-recovering-at-home/