To CCSL Family, May 6, 2020

Beloved, in Christ,

Mercifully, COVID-19 has thus far not hit central Florida exceptionally hard. As a result, some enterprises are re-opening, if cautiously. You may be wondering whether and when the Cathedral Church of St. Luke will return to in-person worship.

For churches in our diocese, in-person worship is still suspended at least through Memorial Day. On March 22 we began offering online worship services, consisting of the Ministry of the Word. Your response has been enthusiastic, and we are thrilled that, by this means, we have been able to stay connected, and to include people who have never been able to worship with us.

It has been a joy to provide worship to a wider “congregation.” Worshipers who have joined us range from former Cathedralites, to out of town family members, to out-of-town friends of the Cathedral, to overseas Cathedral missionaries, and to others who have simply found us and who hunger for what we offer.

We also know that even after we resume in-person worship, some people will be reluctant, or unable, to return immediately. For all the above reasons, we plan to continue offering online worship even after we return to in-person worship.

As to when and how we resume in-person worship, no decision has yet been made. By mid-May we expect to receive more guidance from state and local leaders, the diocese, and the CDC. At that time, we hope to be able to communicate with you the next steps. Meanwhile, the Chapter, the staff, and I are actively evaluating our options—and we have no lack of ideas under consideration.

Finally, let me emphasize that our primary objective is for you to experience God’s presence through our worship. To that end, we are committed to providing all the spiritual nourishment we know how, while safeguarding the well-being of each person.

I pray Christ’s richest blessing on you this Eastertide.

Reggie Kidd+
Dean of the Cathedral