Living Faithfully in Uncertain Times
St. Mark’s & COVID-19
Latest update: Response to the Omicron Variant
December 21, 2021
The omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus is dramatically more contagious than any other variant that has developed. The percentage of Covid cases caused by omicron changed from 3% of all US cases on December 13th, to 73% on December 20th. Vaccinations are keeping those who are infected from developing serious disease, but there are more “breakthrough” cases than ever before and these infected people are spreading the virus in the general community. This has resulted in the replication rate (R-0) in San Francisco being the highest it has been since the beginning of the pandemic.
Therefore, in an abundance of caution and concern for our members, guests and our general community, we are not serving refreshments following services. Masks must remain on while inside except for when taking communion. Refreshments will resume once the replication rate has slowed to a degree indicating the virus is once again under control.
The Recovery Task Force is re-engaging to consider what further steps may be necessary. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jeremy McClain, Congregational Council President, at jeremymcclain@me.com, and/or Pastor Lyle at beckman@stmarks-sf.org.
–Recovery Task Force
September 19, 2021
COVID update: Indoor Coffee Hour Resumes October 10th. Here’s How You Can Help.
The Recovery Task Force has a plan for resuming Coffee Hour in Heritage Hall while complying with the current health order requiring all 12 years or older be fully vaccinated to eat or drink indoors, and requiring St. Mark’s verify the vaccination status on site. There are two ways you can help make this go smoothly:
Send a copy of your vaccination records to St. Mark’s. Send an email to info@stmarks-sf.org with a photo of your vaccination card or your California digital vaccination information. This will speed up the vaccine verification process during Coffee Hour. There will also be a method on-site to add people to the list to accommodate visitors and those who don’t have access to email. Sensitive information, such as date of birth, will not be published on the check-in list.
Volunteer to serve as a Greeter. We will need volunteers to check attendees against the list and collect vaccination information from those who aren’t on the list. The verification will be inside Heritage Hall during the Coffee Hours following both services. If you would like to assist with this step, which is critical to adhering to the health order, please send an email to info@stmarks-sf.org.
Coffee Hour will continue to be hosted out on the Square through October 3. Thank you again for your cooperation as we continue safely through these times.
–Recovery Task Force
May 30, 2021
The Worship Team and Recovery Task Force, in accordance with safety guidelines, congregational input, and current conditions, have organized a plan for a safe return to in-person Sunday worship for those comfortable doing so. Services will continue to be livestreamed. Please learn more and RSVP here. [update: RSVP no longer required]
July 1, 2020
The church office is now open on a limited basis.
As the City & County of San Francisco is in the process of a phased reopening of local businesses, we have reopened the church offices as for staff and volunteers. Note, however, that the Church itself remains closed at this time for in-person public gatherings. Notices about necessary restrictions on occupancy and protocols to ensure physical distancing will be posted at all entrances to the church offices. Staff continue to be available via email during this time.
On June 21, the Church Council gave a presentation on re-opening the sanctuary.
March 31, 2020
Dear friends,
The St. Mark’s Executive Committee decided last night, March 30th, that St. Mark’s will continue to observe social distancing and hold no public services through the month of April, in accord with the current public restrictions. We will continue to provide Sunday worship services, as well as our evening services on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday during Holy Week, via live-stream on Facebook. We also will continue to stay in touch with each other through our check-ins via Zoom on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
We eagerly look forward to the day we can be together in person to sing God’s praise, proclaim God’s good news to the world, and enjoy fellowship together. We will do so again, once restrictions are lifted.
Jeremy McClain
Council President
March 18, 2020
God is our refuge and strength, a very-present help in trouble
Psalm 46:1–2
Dear Friends in Christ,
As we learn new ways of being in community while we “shelter in place,” we remember “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Ps. 41:1–2). Please know that Pr. Ron and myself are here to support you and your families. We hold all of you in our prayers.
We want to communicate decisions made by the Executive Committee of the Council:
In light of the “shelter-in-place” order, we will not hold any “in-person” meetings or events—including worship—for the next two weeks. The Executive Committee of the Church Council will meet on March 30 to assess our next steps. [see update, above]
We will “live-stream” our worship service at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday. No one, other than worship leaders, will be in the sanctuary. Live-streaming is available via the St. Mark’s Facebook page. You do not need a Facebook account to access the live-stream (if prompted, click "not now"). Please invite your friends and colleagues to participate in worship this Sunday at 10:00 a.m.!
Pastors are available for care and support during this time. We will be making phone calls to members, posting spiritual devotions on the St. Mark’s Facebook page, and exploring a Bible study via Zoom. Please check the St. Mark’s website and Facebook page for updates and resources. The church office will be closed until further notice. Staff will be working remotely and/or occasionally in the office in order to take care of essential tasks. You can contact staff members directly via email (staff emails listed below). In case of a pastoral emergency, please contact Pr. Elizabeth via email at ekdale@stmarks-sf.org.
Thank you for your prayers and support. Our staff and council are working selflessly during this time and we are immensely grateful for them and for all our leaders and each one of you. In all our deliberations, we remain grounded in being church together for the sake of the world.
In Christ’s abiding love,
Pastor Elizabeth, Lead Pastor
Pastor Ron, Associate Pastor
LIST OF STAFF EMAILS:
Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this time. Please also join us in praying for:
Elderly or immunocompromised individuals
Healthcare workers and first responders
Wisdom for community, business, and other church leaders
Freedom from fear or anxiety