Hello and Happy Easter,
Thank you all for the wonderful ways you have been continuing to worship, serve, and reach out to others. I am aware of only a small portion of the story but I am so impressed with the ways in which God is at work through you. Some of you will have seen the Facebook post which features the Devil boasting that through the use of Covid-19 he has closed all of God’s Churches to which God replies, ‘but I have opened one up in every home’. The concept of a house church is not new and this isn’t exactly the model that is suggested but it is one that is obviously working. For those of you who would like access to a service book they are available on the Anglican Church of Canada’s web-site under “resources” and can be downloaded as a PDF file. Once again I will be posting materials for Sunday morning on the Parish of Copper Cliff and Lively web-site under the “News” button for those who wish to access these materials. I am very thankful for the beautiful liturgies that were created from the Synod Office for Holy Week and Easter. Mary Beth and I shared the Maundy Thursday liturgy over a lovely evening meal and I was touched by the difference it made to our daily ritual.
As the news of the Covid-19 virus continues to dominate our media outlets it seems clear that we won’t be gathering together any time soon. It appears that the restrictions might be in place into the month of June. We are in a marathon and not a sprint and so the need to keep a steady pace and not get over extended is important to all of us. Putting aside fear is an important part of this exercise which takes a good deal of energy. A daily ritual of prayer helps me keep things in the proper perspective so I commend that practice to be adopted in your lives if it hasn’t been done yet. Archbishop Anne has asked me to extend her ownmessage of encouragement to the congregations I serve along with her thanks for the continuation of Christian ministry in this time of challenge. As we see God’s hand at work in our own lives may we find ways to share that news with others, reach out to those who are not connected to the internet, and continue our social distancing measures.
Glen +
A prayer
Almighty God, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ went about doing good, and healing all manner of sickness and disease among the people: Continue, we beseech thee, this his gracious work among us especially through the hands of our ‘front line workers’; cheer, heal, and sanctify the sick; grant to the physicians, surgeons, nurses, personal support workers, emergency medical staff and all others involved in the healthcare field wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience; and send down thy blessing upon all who labour to prevent suffering and to forward thy purposes of love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP p. 55adapted)