There is a season for everything, a time for every occupation under heaven…
A time for giving birth, a time for dying;…
A time for tears, a time for laughter;
A time for mourning, a time for dancing;…
A time for embracing, a time to refrain from embracing… (Ecclesiastes 3:1,2a,4b,5b)

Haunting words right now: “A time to refrain from embracing.” So contrary to the instinct God planted among people whom He has embraced through the incarnation of His Son. We are an embracing lot. Because we are loved, we love. Because our Father showed us love, we His children instinctively show love. Which is why we gather. Which is why we exchange the kiss of peace. Which is why we share the Bread and the Cup. Which is why, in a word, we “embrace.”

And which is why, for now, we “refrain from embracing.” We love each other and our world too much to contribute to the spread of a diabolical, humankind-hating virus. For now, love means distance and hygiene. Well, love always means hygiene. But love normally means closing distances. But not right now.

Perhaps it’s only fitting that the demand to “refrain from embracing” came upon us during Lent, a time temporarily to set aside some things so we may take them up again later with renewed appreciation for them.

Sunday Services

So, for the time being we are setting aside gathering for Sunday Eucharist. Still, we cannot help but wish to honor and worship the God of healing and salvation, the God who is the only hope for this fallen creation, our broken world, and our fragile lives. Therefore, we intend to livestream services at 10:15 on Sunday mornings beginning this Sunday, March 22. The Liturgy of the Word will begin on page 355 in the Book of Common Prayer. This will be our familiar Sunday morning worship service, minus Eucharist.

Weekday Services

Also, for the time being we are adjusting our weekday services. We are opening the Cathedral from noon to 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, for those who seek a quiet place to pray and meditate. We will conduct Noonday Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer at 12:05. If you can’t make it downtown, those services will be available via Facebook Live. The services will be available to view on our website following the service. Note that, for the time being, we are foregoing Eucharist at midday services during the week.

News, updates and video of services will be available at ccslorlando.org/covid19 as well as via email.

Giving

One thing we cannot set aside during this season is paying the bills. The days ahead promise to be challenging financially for everybody, including your Cathedral. You may find your own income, indeed your very livelihood, sorely impacted, whether through diminished wages or a shrinking portfolio. If so, please let your church family know, so that we can, at the very least, lift you to the Lord in prayer. That said, this congregation has been faithful and generous in supporting the ministry of the good news of Jesus Christ. I ask that, to the extent you can, that you continue your faithful tithing and generous offerings. Here are three options for giving:

Mail checks to Cathedral Church of St Luke, P.O. Box 2328, Orlando, FL 32802
Donate online at https://ccslorlando.org/give.
Download "Church Center" app on your smart device for online giving

Please take care of yourself. As Her Majesty might say: STAY CALM. AND WASH YOUR HANDS.

Beyond that, join me in offering this prayer from the Church of Scotland, “In Time of Pestilence”:

Holy and Mighty Lord,
Who didst turn back the angel of the plague
from the dwellings of Thy people;
we beseech Thee to hear our cry
for those who are suffering and dying under the visitation of disease.
Mercifully bless the means which are used to stay the spread of sickness;
strengthen those who labour to heal and comfort the afflicted;
support those who are in pain or distress;
speedily restore those who have been brought low;
and unto all who are beyond healing,
grant Thy heavenly consolation and Thy saving grace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

With warm regards, in Christ,

Reggie Kidd, Dean
rkidd@stlukescathedral.org

Cathedral Response to COVID-19

(Updated March 13th | 9:45pm)

Earlier today the City of Orlando announced that all city-sponsored events would be canceled or postponed from March 15th-31stdue to the Coronavirus. In addition, city officials recommended “that events or gatherings of 250 or more people being hosted by organizations in other social, spiritual and recreational venues, lodges, neighborhood clubhouses, assembly halls, hotel ballrooms and other like facilities be cancelled or postponed.”

Desiring to cooperate with city officials and grateful for their efforts to protect our community, the Cathedral Church of Saint Luke will cancel services beginning this Sunday, March 15th, and continuing through March 31st.

This was not an easy decision to make. We consulted our Bishop, our Senior Warden and Cathedral Chancellor, our parishioners and other area churches before concluding this course of action to be warranted as a preventive measure. We take seriously our Lord’s call to “love our neighbor” and, in this instance, believe that love looks like prioritizing the physical health and safety of Cathedral worshippers and the entire Orlando community.

The Epistle to the Hebrews reminds us to “hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:23-25). With these words in mind, it is our hope to be able to gather in worship again as soon as possible. In the meantime, we hope to livestream worship on our website as early as next Sunday, March 22nd. Further information about livestreaming and other Cathedral events will be communicated early next week.

Cathedral leadership is closely monitoring the reports about the Coronavirus. We ask that you continue to check our website and Facebook Page and the most updated information about Cathedral scheduling, that you pray for our city and our world, and that you be wise in your own preventive safety measures.

Remember the strength and faithfulness of our God: “O God our help in ages past, our hope for years to come. Our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home.”

With love, in Christ,

Dean Reggie Kidd