Out of all the church staff, COVID has changed my job the least: our communications already were sent via email, our website, Facebook, and Instagram. A big change for me is that with Greg's departure, I'll be doing tech for the 10am Sunday online service. I've had some practice runs, and I find it both comforting to be in our sanctuary and sad to not have happy voices greeting each other.

Instead of scheduling lectors to read in person, I now recruit people to pre-record readings. I’m trying to get as many households as possible to participate, and so far we’ve had almost 60 different voices reading scripture! If you haven’t read yet, please consider doing so; all you need is a smartphone, and I’ll help you through the tech.

There are other ways to help lead worship: you can be an usher at the 8am in-person service (contact me or Tom Shively) or you can be Garrett’s “Wingperson.” The Wingperson sits in what will soon be Greg’s empty chair, leads the Psalm, reads the Gospel, and reads our St. Anne’s Collect during COVID (our current prayers of the people). Let me know if you’re interested.

Coming up I’ll be rolling out a new feature where we learn more about each other. I’m taking suggestions and votes for names: Virtual Coffee Klatch, Community Conversations, and Parishioner Feature are on the table so far. I’m thrilled to say that Jackie and John Snelling have agreed to be first in this new way of deepening connections in our church family.

I continue to lead a Morning Devotion on Facebook Live (currently Kyra is Monday, I’m Wednesday, and Tricia is Friday), and for September, Tricia and I (with perhaps a special guest) are leading Compline Wednesday evenings. We have candlelight and music, and it’s on Zoom so we can see each other. The Zoom meeting opens at 7:15pm for fellowship, and prayer begins at 7:30. Stop by and end your day in peace — we need that now more than ever.

—Kristina