As a response to the preventative practices suggested by government and health officials, and under the direction of our Bishop, The Right Rev. George R. Sumner, Fr. Michael has suspended all services and activities at St. James through March 22nd. This includes Sunday worship services, formation classes, lenten activities, school programs, and all ministry meetings.
This does not, however, mean the ministry of St James as a church is being suspended. We will be offering morning prayer live-streamed on our Facebook page at 9am on Sunday morning, and video of the stream will be posted and available for you to use as you are available. Though we will not have Eucharistic services, Lay Eucharistic Visitors will be available to bring communion to you.
We are working out a plan to continue our formation offerings that you can utilize at home.
Additionally, you can make use of the online giving by visiting www.stjamesdallas.org/give or by using the giving option on your Fellowship One Go app.
As situations continue to develop our plans may continue to adapt. Thank you for your continued flexibility as we all work together to ensure the well-being of our community.
During this time of social-distancing it is especially important to be mindful of finding new ways to continue to cultivate relationships with those in our community. One of the effects of the decision to suspend worship is losing the community experience a Sunday morning service brings. Seeing, greeting, smiling, exchanging the peace, and catching up with one another will be something I miss most about worshipping in the way we will be these next two weeks. Because of this, it is important to be intentional about reaching out. If I may suggest a practice, reach out to those who you normally see on Sunday mornings. Use the church directory (on F1Go app) to find contact information for people you normally see na dark them how they are coping, make sure they know about the change in plans of worship, and offer your well wishes by phone.
It is not the same as a face to face interaction, just as morning prayer via Facebook will not be the same as our Eucharistic worship, but God will be honored and pleased in both new ways, as we look forward to being together again.