Sunday 29th March 2020 6:30pm
As I shared in today’s worship , we have been asked to keep our church buildings closed and abide by physical distancing until at least the end of April . This means no in- person gatherings , no in- person home , hospital or care facility visiting , no weddings , no funeral .
This is not unexpected . When we agreed to suspend physical gathering for worship and cancel other in person events , we knew we did not know when we could resume our normal practices . All we knew was : we would give thanks when that day came .
Indeed if we follow the trajectory observed in China where the pandemic began , we may very well continue the current status quo well beyond the end of April. We will follow directives from church and government leadership . We understand : loving your neighbour means helping to keep them safe !
As our ministry candidate Emma Seamone reflects in her Sunday message ( add link ) , we may all be grieving something and that’s OK. Some may grieve the loss of customary family Easter gatherings . I’m grieving the loss of our customary ways of gathering for Holy Week , especially Easter Sunday , complete with the beautiful anthems and congregational singing we so love . And this is my last Holy Week before I retire.
Yes, we grieve these losses and more . But we are a strong , resilient people . And we are still the United Church in St Andrews and the hills and ridges. And the Spirit still works with us and through us .
We will share Holy Week , just differently, perhaps more memorably than ever Stay tuned !
We continue to work at providing physically distant gathering opportunities , this Friday at 10through Zoom , some Sundays ( I hope ) , some group prayer times , our study group , Board meetings and more . It does one’s heart good to hear each other’s voices and see each other’s faces . Stay tuned !
Visit our church website ( link ) for frequent updates . It’s our public face for now. Plus you are welcome to join my mailing list for a prayer / spiritual resource a day . Visit our church FB page too !
I can also arrange virtual coffee with you – we stay home but meet via Zoom . Just ask me!
I know this is a long haul for all of us , emotionally , mentally, spiritually, and financially. Let us continue to be a strong and loving community , reaching out as we can to each other and beyond .
Please continue to be in touch , letting me know how you are doing and if I/we can be of any help.
Blessings, peace and love to all !
Wesley United Church St Andrews-by-the-Sea 