Christ the King

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We are located  in Pine Mountain, GA at 6700 GA Hwy 354,
 off Hwy 18  across from the resort entrance  to Callaway Gardens.

►►Coronavirus Update 11/22/20

• 
  DIOCESE OF SAVANNAH † OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
  2170 e. victory drive, savannah, georgia 31404 (912) 201-4080 diosav.org
  November 20, 2020
  Dear Friends in Christ,
  As this difficult year winds to a close and even our celebrations of the upcoming holidays
  stand to be transformed by the pandemic, we must hold fast to the great gift of hope,
  already given to us by God at our Baptism. Hope keeps us from discouragement, sustains
  us in hardship, and reminds us that we were created for eternity and life with Christ. While
  everything around us seems altered and unfamiliar, our faith and our relationship with
  the Church does not have to change. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever
  (Hebrews 13:8) and we can look to the Sacred Scriptures for continued comfort and for
  inspiration to sustain and grow in our relationship with Him.
  When Jesus saw Zacchaeus perched in a sycamore tree (Luke 19:1-10), He called out:
  Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house. Saint Luke records that
  the man came down from the tree and Jesus received him with joy. Zacchaeus was watch-
  ing Jesus from a distance and after Jesus’ greeting and invitation they dined together with
  graciousness and hope. Zacchaeus’ life was changed forever because of His relationship
  with Christ.
  When public worship was suspended in March, our congregations became in some ways
  like Zacchaeus, watching the liturgical life of the Church from a distance through technol-
  ogy. Even after reopening, we missed (and still do) our brothers and sisters we are used to
  seeing in the pews around us, we miss the smiles obscured by a mask, we miss the laughter
  over coffee and doughnuts in the Narthex. ere is a physical separation, like Zacchaeus in
  the tree.
  But no matter how far we may feel from one another or how we mourn for the loss of con-
  tact, Jesus has never ceased to call us closer, especially back to the communal and sacra-
  mental life and relationship with the Church.
  A basic understanding of our Catholic faith is that the Eucharist is the source and summit
  of our lives (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1324). Through our entrance into the Pas-
  chal Mystery, we encounter the living and risen Christ. As Christians, we honor a special
  day of the week, Sunday, which is to be set apart as sacred and holy. On the Sabbath Day –
  the Lord’s Day – we are called to gather together as a community to hear the Word of God
  and partake of the sacred meal, the Eucharist, so that our faith can be strengthened and
  sustained. May we strive to draw ever closer to Him, especially in diffcult and challenging
  times.
• 
  Even as we care for our physical and emotional well-being, we must also recognize that
  our spiritual lives need to be nurtured and tended. Christ is calling out to us, as He did
  to Zacchaeus, and inviting us to dine with Him. With sensitivity and understanding for
  our individual and family circumstances, as your Bishop I ask you to reflect on your
  response to His invitation. If you have not yet returned to the public celebration of Mass,
  please spend some time in prayer and listen for the voice of Christ who is inviting you to
  be present for the Eucharistic feast. In the quiet of your heart, mind and soul, consider
  His invitation to return to the Eucharist – to an encounter with the One who is joy, grace,
  hope and peace.
  Since I was installed as your Bishop two months ago, I have visited many parishes and
  schools, and conducted Days of Reflection with our dedicated Priests who serve in the 90
  counties of our Diocese. During these visits we have discussed the challenges and hopes
  that have surfaced during this time of pandemic. I am pleased to report that many people
  are attending Mass and there have been no outbreaks of the Coronavirus linked to our
  reopening of churches. This is good news which tells me that our precautions and safety
  protocols are effective. We also join together in prayer asking for wisdom and patience
  while vaccines and treatments are developed and perfected to assist us in this crisis.
  My friends, thank you for your witness of faith and for your dedication to our Church.
  I ask you to please review the attached information regarding the Dispensation from the
  Sunday Mass Obligation, as well as updated guidelines and recommendations for our
  parishes. Let us go forward in faith, hope and wonder, as Zacchaeus did, always ready to
  welcome Our Lord.
  Please know that I pray for you, your loved ones and your intentions. I ask you to pray for
  me as I begin my Episcopal ministry here in the Diocese of Savannah. Although we may
  not see one another each day, we can meet each day in our prayers. May we Rejoice in the
  Lord always!
  In Christ,
  Most Rev. Stephen D. Parkes, D.D.
  Bishop of Savannah
  DIOCESE OF SAVANNAH † OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
  letter to the diocese ∙ november 20, 2020 ∙ page 2
• 
  DIOCESE OF SAVANNAH
  UPDATE REGARDING
  COVID-
  Issued:
  November 22, 2020
  UPDATE REGARDING COVID19
  DISPENSATION FROM SUNDAY MASS ATTENDANCE
  Although technology has assisted us in maintaining a sense of community in our
  parishes, it does not replace the ability to gather for the celebration of the Eucha-
  rist. We have been created by God for community, and many have suffered tre-
  mendously from isolation and loneliness during these months. Technology is an
  effective tool for evangelization, but we must not grow complacent when it comes
  to our physical presence at the Eucharistic celebration.
  As society reopens, mindful of social distancing and other precautions, I make an
  appeal to you: that you perform an examination of conscience in regards to your
  everyday activities and consider Mass attendance in that context. If you and your
  household are frequenting restaurants, your children are attending school, family
  members are involved in sports, and individuals are attending social gatherings,
  I believe that Sunday Mass attendance should also resume. Sunday Mass may
  only be missed with good reason related to personal and communal health as the
  pandemic continues.
  A dispensation from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass was granted for the
  faithful of the Diocese of Savannah in March, and was most recently extended
  until November 22, 2020.
  Beginning with the First Sunday of Advent, November 29, 2020, the dispensa-
  tion from Sunday Mass attendance is granted only for the following:
   those who belong to vulnerable populations due to age or health
   caregivers and those who live with those in vulnerable populations
   those who are sick or have symptoms
   those who suffer from extreme uneasiness or anxiety from being in any pub-
  lic places in this time of pandemic
  While we must not forget that we are still living in a time of pandemic, as a
  Church we are to be guided with a desire to move forward with hope, confident in
  God’s help. We are called to promote a culture of hope, not a culture of fear.
  In order to move forward with utmost care and confidence, I present the following
  guidelines for the parishes of the Diocese of Savannah. I also identify decisions
  left to each Pastor’s discretion in recognition of the great diversity that exists in
  our diocese, and finally, a list of best practices. I hope we can move forward in
  a uniform manner throughout our diocese so that all will find in our parishes a
  welcoming and safe environment that encourages a sacred and reverential atmo-
  sphere.
  GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR ALL PARISHES
   State and local guidelines and ordinances must be followed.
   Parishes must place in a visible and somewhat prominent location near the
  entrance to buildings the following text: Under Georgia law, there is no liability
  for an injury or death of an individual entering these premises if such injury or
  death results from the inherent risks of contracting COVID-19. You are assuming
• this risk by entering these premises. (Please note that in accordance with the
  Georgia COVID-19 Pandemic Business Safety Act, the text must be printed in
  at least one-inch Arial font and placed apart from other text.)
   Worship spaces and schools must be properly cleaned and sanitized, with par-
  ticular attention given to bathrooms and surfaces that are touched most ofen,
  like door knobs and doors. Parishes may utilize disinfectant smoke machines
  and be attentive to wiping down surfaces.
   Hand sanitizer must be readily available at the entrance of every building, near
  the areas where communion is distributed, and near the altar.
   The use of masks has been shown to signifcantly decrease the rate of conta-
  gion of COVID-19. Wearing a mask is highly encouraged at all times when the
  faithful are inside our buildings.
   Worship spaces may be filled to their maximum capacity according to social
  distancing norms. Ushers must assist the sitting of the faithful to maximize
  space and to ensure proper social distancing. Families/households who wish to
  sit together may do so.
   Music and singing should be provided for the Sunday liturgy in all parishes,
  including Mass parts.
   Hymnals are not to be placed in the pews. One-time use liturgical aides may
  be used, or hymnals may be made available for purchase.
   Altar servers may assist at the altar during Mass, as long as parents agree and
  the servers wear masks. Parishes may start by assigning a maximum of three
  altar servers (a cross bearer and two candle bearers) to perform limited func-
  tions.
   Lectors, ushers, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion may re-
  sume their ministerial responsibilities as needed.
   The Sign of Peace may now be extended to the faithful without physical con-
  tact. This may be done by saying: Let us offer one another a simple acknowledge-
  ment of peace or by explaining to the faithful beforehand that the Sign of Peace
  will be exchanged without physical contact. Families/households may still
  exchange the Sign of Peace as before. The rubrics of the Roman Missal should
  be followed.
   The distribution of the Precious Blood to the faithful remains suspended.
   In order to maintain the integrity of the liturgy, the distribution of Commu-
  nion must occur at the indicated time and not after the final blessing.
   Holy Communion cannot be denied to the faithful who wish to receive it on
  the tongue. Please remind the faithful how to properly receive communion in
  the hand and on the tongue in order to avoid physical contact.
   Faith Formation for Children and Adults must continue using ingenuity and
  creativity. Even if the number of faithful involved in faith formation is de-
  creased, every parish must continue to provide opportunities for learning and
  especially for the preparation of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Conr-
  mation and the Eucharist.
   The Sacrament of Reconciliation must be celebrated in a room with ample
  space that allows for social distancing and air circulation. ‘Drive By’ confes-
  sions are not permitted.
  PARISH GUIDELINES
  FOR COVID-19
  Issued:
  November 20, 2020
  page 2 of 2