March 18, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ,

In keeping with the Bishop’s Pastoral Letters, and in the interest of the common good, all “in-person” meetings, ministries, events, and worship services are cancelled until further notice.  This includes our Sunday worship services.  

In lieu of gathering in person to worship this Sunday, please go to our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/staugmet/

We will begin the livestream at 8:00 am.  It will be a Rite 2 Eucharist that will then be available for viewing all day.  You can “virtually” go to church at 8:00, 10:30, or whenever you’d like, as often as you’d like.  We will also livestream the Spanish Mass at 9:30 am.  Again, it’s important to point out that these services are not open to the public. 

You can go to that same website for Morning Prayer, Monday-Thursday, at 9:00 am.  I will also continue with Pre-School Chapel on Mondays at 9:30 am.  

Books of Common Prayer
If you would like a Book of Common Prayer, we will have several copies in a bin outside of the parking lot gate by Noon on Wednesday.  Please help yourself.  If you can’t get out, please email ajheine@bellsouth.net to request a delivery.  You can also go online to https://bcponline.org/

And speaking of deliveries:

Manna from Heaven Free Grocery Service in response to COVID-19
St. Augustine's is working to put together a grocery delivery service to help at-risk parishioners get groceries and supplies without having to risk further exposure.  St. Augustine's is compiling a list of trustworthy shoppers in a lower risk category that will go out to do the shopping, and will drop off the items to your home.  

If you are in a high risk category and would like to receive this service, please email Rachel Whitley at rfwhitley@gmail.com with your name, address and phone number.  You will be matched with an available shopper who will call to confirm a date and time to get you what you need. 

Recipient Information:

• You will need to provide the following to your shopper:
  • Cash or Credit or Debit Card (no checks)
  • Shopping List
  • Phone number to reach you during their shopping trip
• Your shopper will do their best to stay within your budget and find the items you need.  Please note that some items may not be available.  If your shopper has any questions, they will call you.
• Your shopper is instructed not to stay and visit.  They will pick up your payment method, shop, drop your items in a designated location, return your card or change, and provide a receipt for their trip. They are instructed not to enter the home or help unload groceries to reduce the risk of exposure.
• This is a free service!  You only need to pay for your groceries, nothing else.

If you would like to be a shopper, please read the criteria below:
Shopper Criteria:

• Must fall within a low risk age bracket for COVID-19. College students are ideal!
• Must have access to reliable transportation and a cell phone.
• Must be honest and trustworthy.
• Please provide your hours of availability to complete shopping trips.
• Please note that shoppers are not expected to visit with the recipient.  The purpose of this service is to comply with the current social distancing mandates and protect at-risk individuals from exposure.  Drivers are to leave groceries on the porch or other designated location as determined by the recipient.  Credit cards or change are to be placed in a secure mutually agreed upon location if not handed directly back to the recipient.
• Receipts from your trip must be given to the recipient. 
• This is a volunteer service.  Father AJ can sign off on any service hours, if needed.

TopBox Food Order
If you’d like some fresh, healthy food that is both delivered and affordable, you should go to https://www.topboxfoods.com/new-orleans/home.  The orders for this Saturday’s delivery to the St. Augustine’s parking lot are due Wednesday at noon.  

I was reminded today that sometimes it is in the darkness that we are best able to see the light.  In these dark times, there is light shining.  Keep looking for it.  Keep offering it.  Keep praying for it.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” - John 1:5

Peace,

AJ+

Pastoral Letter From Bishop Thompson
March 17 Update on COVID-19 

Dear friends,
 
As a follow up to my email last night, I want to further clarify a few things for us all. This is an ever-changing situation and we are committed to communicating with you clearly and effectively.
 
As of today, the diocesan office staff will be working remotely from home. Someone will be in the office daily to check mail, etc.; however, we will not be open to visitors. All staff will be accessible through email, the office lines and our cell phones. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us, whatever your need. We are also planning to maintain our weekly staff meeting via Zoom. So, be on the lookout on Tuesdays for communication from us. We are going to try not to inundate you with emails throughout the week. However, you will continue to hear from us through the website and other social media outlets. Daily prayers will be posted each evening at 8:00 p.m.
 
Along these lines, I encourage churches to cancel in-person meetings, mid-week services and other on-campus gatherings, effective immediately. One area of question surrounds AA groups. Some churches have decided to keep their doors open to these groups. However, clear sanitation guidelines, social distancing and group size must be maintained.
 
I have received questions about food pantries and other feedings programs. If you decide to continue these, practice scrupulous sanitizing methods. No one over 60 years of age should participate in these efforts. Also, be sure to maintain the under 10 person guidelines recently released by the CDC. Food can be packaged and handed out with appropriate physical distancing.
 
Funerals. Memorial services should not be conducted and if it is possible to wait to inter an individual at a later date, that is preferable. However, we are the church and we will continue to bury our dead. So, if there is no other option, services should be limited in scope (graveside, for example) and size (immediate family only).
 
There is a great deal of creative information surrounding ways to remain connected to each other. This is a wonderful time to send handwritten notes, make phone calls and establish prayer partners. Zoom or similar platforms are also very effective. I also encourage you to continue to financially support the church and other organizations that help the most vulnerable at this time.
 
Find ways to be present, loving and supportive to each other, even if not in physical proximity. I trust you to use good judgment as you confront the many questions that this situation has brought to the forefront. Pray for me and for each other. We may be apart but we are never alone.
 
Blessings,
The Rt. Rev'd Morris K. Thompson, Jr.
Bishop of Louisiana