The city of Seattle and the Puget Sound area still remain one of the hot-spots of the covid-19 virus, though, and we feel that traveling to this area (or any other hotbed of cases of infection) should only be undertaken in great need. This especially applies for children (who are easily infected), the immuno-compromised, and the elderly (who are more likely to suffer from serious illness or worse).

For the moment we have decided to close the gates of the monastery to visitors for a short time, until further notice.

With this in mind, while on the one hand we will still close the gates to visitors in general, on the other we will still be available for people with pastoral needs, and we can be contacted about these. We will also be available to meet up on a case by case basis, as is needed.

Furthermore, we will still conduct our coffee business and our online store will continue to operate as usual.

Of course, if, God forbid, any of the monastics should contract the virus the monastery will be quarantined as a whole, and closed off to anyone else.

We ask for everyone’s continued prayers during these trying times for all, and remind everyone that while it is normal and right to take reasonable precautions in accord with one’s personal circumstances, it is equally important in such times of trial to live in accordance with the Gospel commandments and make oneself and one’s Saviour available to others. We are all in need of the Saviour, and sometimes God permits difficult times like this to draw both our and others’ attention to the “one thing needful”.