Archpastoral Letter Regarding Summer Diocesan Youth Events

Saturday, May 9, 2020

May 8, 2020

Protocol No. 22/2020

Christos Voskrese! Christ is Risen! Christos Anesti!

Dear Very Reverend Protopresbyters, Very Reverend, and Reverend Fathers and Diocesan Faithful,

Today I am writing to inform all of you that due to the current circumstances regarding the Coronavirus, I (hearing the advice of many) have made the decision that the following Diocesan Summer Youth Events will not take place onsite this year, but virtually:

The Altar Boy Retreat June 28 – July 1, 2020
The Young Women’s Encounter June 28 – July 1, 2020
The Camp Nazareth Summer Camping Weeks July 19 – August 8, 2020
The Camp Nazareth Science and Nature Week August 9 – 15, 2020

The two primary factors in making this very difficult decision are:

1) the health and well being of our children, their families, and our Program Staff  Members (Clergy and Laity alike), and by extension our parish communities and

2 ) the uncertainty and differences in the responses of state and local governments to this pandemic throughout our Diocese.

I assure you, that like you, I have followed closely the most current information being offered by our governments, the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and the medical community.  This decision has been made in consultation with the Directors of each Program, taking into account the most current information available.

Although I am writing to you with a heavy heart having to cancel the onsite events, I am also excited to inform you that EACH of these events WILL have an alternative VIRTUAL experience prepared for our children!  They may not be able to attend these Programs and Events in-person, but they will in their HOMES!

I am asking each of you to do three things:

1) share this Protocol with your Faithful, 2) watch the video messages from the Programs Directors  and myself which will be posted on our websites and social media accounts early next week, and 3) when the information about the VIRTUAL Programs is sent to you, please disseminate it to our Diocesan Faithful and their children.

Praying for all of you while working in the Vineyard of the Risen Lord with much love,

+METROPOLITAN GREGORY OF NYSSA 

This Protocol is to be distributed by all means available including the emailing of parishioners as soon as possible.

Download Metropolitan Gregory's Archpastoral Letter (PDF Format)