Rev. Kate Atkinson prays it will be quick.
The rector of St. Paul’s Church in Concord has heeded the call from New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop Robert Hirschfeld to curtail all church gatherings, including worship services, from Monday onward.
However, the downtown church’s office will be open for pastoral emergencies and the food pantry will continue Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. as usual.
In a letter on March 13th, Hirschfeld said, “After consulting with clergy, lay leaders, public health officials and fellow bishops, I ask that each of our congregations this coming Sunday, as a Day of Preparation for a Fast from physically gathered, large group worship until April 5th, the Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday. We pray that this time of abstaining from public worship will not extend beyond this, but the circumstances relating to the COVID-19 outbreak may dictate otherwise.”
Bishop Hirschfeld plans on streaming services from the Chapel of All Angels in Diocesan House in Concord beginning next week.
Meanwhile, Rev. Atkinson said the last 8 a.m. Sunday service attendance was down by fifty percent. During the kiss of peace and communion, there was a wave for the peace and just a wafer, dropped into parishioners’ hands.
Grace Church in East Concord has followed St. Paul’s as well.