Update on our church service schdule from Bishop Jake Owensby

March 27, 2020 Dear Friends,  The number of COVID-19 infections and deaths continues to rise in the United States. Researchers now anticipate that New Orleans will become the next hub for the disease, surpassing New York. The virus does not spread on its own. People spread the virus to other people. This means that physical distancing remains our best strategy for bringing this epidemic under control. Accordingly, I am now extending suspension of face-to-face worship services and other congregational gatherings through Sunday, April 26. This is still short of the CDC recommended suggestion of mid-May for flattening the curve.Once again, I will monitor developments and make further determinations as dictated by circumstances before April 26. Let me reiterate what I have stressed previously.   Remember that the people are the Church. Not a building. Not a specific church service. The Body is the Church. Where we are and how we live and move and have our being is the Church being the Church. So the question is simply, how will we be ourselves as Jesus-followers in our current situation?   Those congregations equipped to offer virtual worship services are already doing so. I have directed the use of Morning Prayer using the Sunday Lectionary including a short sermon. I am offering Morning Prayer each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. CDT using Facebook Live. Additionally, I offer a brief meditation via Facebook Live Monday through Friday at 3:00 p.m. All these Facebook Live sessions are automatically saved as videos and may be accessed at any time. In Facebook you can find my page at @bishopjakeowensby. Or, if you are not on Facebook, simply click here and you'll be at the page. That's where you'll find those videos. See especially the Video "Nothing Cancels the Resurrection."  Worship strengthens us for service in the world. In a time of pandemic, I remind you to check in by phone or other electronic means on each other. Reach out to the sick, the lonely, the frightened, the bereaved, and the overwhelmed. Seek ways to lighten the financial burden on those who lose income because of this outbreak. Some will struggle to pay the rent or the mortgage. Money will run short for utilities, grocery, and medications. We are all in this together. Be generous and be mindful of the needs of others. Do not forget that your congregation continues to need your financial support. Even with suspended services, they too must meet salaries and pay light bills.  Finally, let’s remember why we are taking the measures we are taking. We are not doubling down on self-preservation at the expense of loving our neighbor. On the contrary, the physical distancing we undertake by suspending public gatherings will help us flatten the curve. We can slow the spread of the disease so that our medical system is not overwhelmed with too many patients at one time. This makes it possible for those needing a hospital bed and life-saving equipment to have access to them. We will literally be saving our neighbors’ lives. That sounds like love to me.  In Christ’s Love,  +Jake  The Rt. Rev. Jacob W. Owensby, PhD, DD  4th Bishop of Western Louisiana