Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.           -Matthew 16:24-25

Kindred in Christ,

This week we are marking endings and beginnings. The summer months are coming to an end, and the fall is just around the corner. For students, summer vacations are ending, and school – in a whole new way – is starting up in the coming weeks. And for us, the people of St. Paul’s United, we are finishing our journey with our kindred at Wilmot United, and in just over a week we will begin our in-person worship experience, something we have not done in over 6 months, something we will be watching closely to ensure safety.

As we contemplate endings and beginnings, let us reflect on what we might do to offer our best goodbyes, and start off on the right foot. Below are some of the things going on over the next few weeks in our community:

Communion as Downtown United: St. Paul’s United Church will be hosting the last of our joint worship services with our kindred at Wilmot United Church this Sunday, August 30th. It is a special day for a lot of reasons, because of endings and beginnings, but we are also celebrating the Sacrament of Communion together as we bring our time together to a close. We encourage you to get some bread and some juice and join us at the table this Sunday by one of the two following means:

Soft Open and Welcome Back Sunday: The first 2 Sundays in September are pretty special, and they will set the tone for the Fall months, possibly into the new year as we continue to wrestle with COVID-19.

 

  • September 6th – Soft Open: This is where we will be checking the shape and length of worship. Our intention is that it will be shorter than a regular worship service, and there will be a number of elements removed to make that happen. There may be bugs and hiccups, but our hope is to work these out in the first week. There will be no Sunday School on September 6th. A draft of this service is available on our website here: http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/bulletins/
  • September 13th – Welcome Back Sunday: This is our official Welcome Back Sunday. It won’t look like it has in years before, there won’t be cake, and there won’t be a BBQ, but there will be Sunday School.

 

This means that we were able to get the some volunteers required to make this work. We could use more, however, so please complete the following brief survey whether or not you intend to attend, and if you are planning to attend, let us know how you can serve! https://forms.gle/FsK3d9whyqwMi2aQA

New Zoom link and privacy policy: Zoom has changed its privacy policies and starting in September will require meetings to have a password. Because of this, we have had to change a few things. Starting on September 6th, we will use a new Zoom link, and you will be required to enter the password to join our live worship virtually.

Return to Sunday School: Along with getting back together for Sunday worship, we will also be restarting our Sunday School in the fall. Our hope is that we begin our Sunday School on Sunday, September 13th. We are asking parents to have a look over the operational plan that we will provide, and to pre-register when possible. To pre-register your child/children, contact Cathy Davis at 455 – 1129 or by email at johntdavis@hotmail.com

Pantry Needs: even during our times with covid, the pantry has been going strong in a modified way. We are serving those in need. Feeding the hungry. The shelves are getting pretty low. We could use some Instant coffee cheez whiz peanut butter pudding cups juices ketchup canned milk and meat laundry/dish soap and cereals. Any donation would be greatly appreciated thank you very much.

Operational Plans and Some of the Rules: We have been working hard to get our Operational Plans finished for both worship and Sunday School to ensure that you and our children can worship and experience the word safely. The drafts of those plans can be found here: http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/covid-19-updates/

The following rules were offered last week in our eNews, and we offer them again this week and will next week in the lead up to September 6th. We take seriously the following rules as well as the care and health of each one of you.

 

  • Masks/shields to be worn at all times. No exceptions: We know that some have medical exemptions, and this might seem unfair to you. Remember, this is not just for your protection but for the protection of others. Your exemption might ensure your health where a mask or shield might be detrimental, but the lack of that face covering puts those around you at risk. We will have live worship through Zoom and our hope is to record those services for Youtube. ***The only exception to this rule will be singers while they are singing, readers while they are reading, and the worship leaders (minister or lay-support), while they are leading***
  • Seated by Ushers: You may miss your favourite pew, and may be looking forward to getting back to it. We are sorry to say it may be a while longer. While we are going to be worshipping in the sanctuary, where you sit will be determined partially by the time you arrive and partially by an usher. You will be seated in such a way that ensures physical distancing. Both the balcony and main level will be used for seating, but your preference of where in those areas will not be taken into consideration. Ushers will also guide you out at the end of the worship service.
  • Any Offerings should be dropped in a receptacle on entrance: The last thing we want to do is pass around a dish covered in everyone else’s germs. If you do use physical offerings of cash, cheque, or envelope, we ask that you leave them in a receptacle that will be at the entrance of the church.
  • One Entrance: The only way to get into the sanctuary will be through the George St doors. 
  • No Bulletins: With the exception of a very few large print bulletins, we will not be using bulletins for the foreseeable future. Digital versions will be on the website, but we ask that you do not print copies off to bring into worship unless you take it back out with you. Words for responsive or unison prayers will be on the screens.
  • No congregational Singing: Singing is a huge part of worship, and it will be really hard to live into this one, but we ask that all follow this, again to keep one another safe. Hymn Books will be removed, and the words of the hymns will not be on the screens. We will have soloists and bubbled duets/groups where available to ensure song continues to be a part of our worship experience.
  • Failure to comply on the part of some hurts everyone: This isn’t so much a rule as it is a fact. If you come without a mask, you will be asked to leave. If you remove your mask in worship, or sing, it could mean that in-person worship is suspended for all. We apologize if this seems harsh, however, your health and safety are the most important thing to us.

 

Pastoral Concerns & Hospital Visitation

With the easing of restrictions means more opportunity for Rev. Richard to be there for you when you need him. As always, he is available to address pastoral care concerns over the phone (262-2150) or by email (rev.bowley@outlook.com), but you may want a visit after so long. If you would like to arrange a visit, contact Rev. Richard either by phone or email, and a time will be set up. 

If you or someone you know is in hospital, restrictions have been loosened there as well. Clergy are now allowed to visit people who are in hospital so long as a direct request is made to the minister, with a room number. Call or email any time and Rev. Richard will get to the hospital as soon as he is able.

Summer Prayer Services: The last Summer Prayer Service was posted to youtube on Wednesday, August 26th. This brings an end to a summer long prayer experience that we hope you have found engaging. Rev Richard will be reviewing the effectiveness of the recorded prayer service format and may return with something similar in the months ahead. Keep your eyes peeled, and keep praying! 

As Sunday approaches, the words from our scriptures go with us. Christ reminds us that self-sacrifice and risk are integral parts to our faith, not by way of condemnation but invitation. Let us hear his words, take up our cross, and follow him into the days and months ahead.

Let us pray as we walk this road together.

Speak to us; into this time, into this space, speak to us.                                                         Find the doubt that lives in our hearts and speak to us your encouraging words.    Remind us that we are partners in the building of your kingdom.                                        We ask this and all things in the strong name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.   AMEN

 

Yours in Christ

Rev. Richard Bowley