Mar 17

Rector’s Update, March 17th

Dear friends,

I write to tell you what I am sure you have already guessed. In accordance with our Bishop’s directives and recommendations by the CDC, St. Peter’s will not be offering in-person worship or gatherings of any kind through at least Easter Day. Yes, that includes Holy Week and Easter morning services, and it could include Confirmation and the parish picnic too. We have also made the decision to change Empty Bowls to a virtual event. We will hold the raffle and the online auction on April 30. More details to come.

Staff and volunteers are busy right now gathering and developing resources. Our opportunity for worship and spiritual growth is not gone. It’s merely different. Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/stpeters.mckinney, and keep an eye on our website for new, exciting resources updated daily: www.stpetersmckinney.com/covid-19.

While this experience is difficult in many ways, it may also inspire new and creative ministry. For instance, our live-streamed services are helping people connect and will continue every Sunday at 9am. We are also working on a mailing to send home for Holy Week that will include a palm branch, activities to go along with our sermons, and crafts for children. Our weekly email, which will go out on Wednesdays starting tomorrow, will provide more faith resources for you to use at home. And we are already finding new opportunities to serve our community. All of that makes my heart very glad.

Going into this past Sunday’s service, I was understandably disheartened. What would it be like to worship without you in the pews with me? What would it be like to preach to a camera? But after seeing the Facebook comments and prayer requests, the offers of help and support, and the strength shown by our community, I am confident this will not shake our faith, and I am actually excited to see how God leads us through this together.

I thank God for each one of you. My love, prayers, and support remain constantly for you. Please pray for me, and for the clergy and staff also.

In Christ,

Fr. Perry Mullins

 

About The Author

Fr. Perry Mullins is the Rector of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in McKinney. He grew up an Episcopalian. During college and afterward, he worked in youth ministry in San Antonio and Austin, and then entered the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest. Fr. Perry loves preaching, teaching, and outreach, and still has a heart for children’s and youth ministries. He was called to be Rector of St. Peter’s in 2017. He is married to Sarah, and they have two children.