Monday, March 16, 2020

16 March 2020 Update from Bishop Gutierrez

March 16, 2020

To my Sisters and Brothers,

We wanted to give you an update on our offices and how we can support you over the next few weeks. We will be sending out an update each Monday.

  • Based on restrictions placed by Governor Wolf, our staff will be working virtually today and tomorrow. The diocese has set up a hotline for clergy, parish administrators and clergy to call if they have a question about how to proceed or need any kind of support. That number – 215.621.8312- will be directed to on-call staff. In addition, all staff will be responsive via email as well. A full list of staff is available here.
  • As of 3/14, I advised all churches to move to live-streaming or look for ways to hold church that remain consistent with the advice we are receiving from public health authorities (social distancing to flatten the curve.) Innovation was alive. Thirty-two of our churches live-streamed services and three offered drive-thru church. Two received news coverage here and here.
  • All active clergy (priests, deacons, Sunday Missioners) are invited to weekly Zoom calls with me starting tomorrow, 3/17 at 11 a.m. These will continue each Tuesday at 11 until further notice. If you did not receive information on this, please contact Jen Tucker, jenbtucker@diopa.org so she can set you up.
  • The diocese is offering churches free access to Zoom to communicate with their parishioners during this time. Zoom is a good tool for conducting meetings (vestry, etc.)

We encourage everyone to keep giving to their churches during this time as the ministries continue and the need will continue to grow. We are continually assessing what tools our churches need during this situation.

If you need anything, please do not hesitate to contact us. All updates are posted here as well.


Your brother and shepherd,



Bishop Daniel
Know Jesus. Change the World.
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