That picture rings of rosy nostalgia, but rural life has changed since the ’60s, and the days of overflowing Sunday Schools are past. Walmart, payday loans and Timmy’s have sprouted up in our old strawberry fields. Our scattered churches wonder what the unknowable future will hold for them.

What we do know down here at 135 Adelaide St. E. is that we do not know everything. We know that as rural people, you understand your own situations better than anyone else. And we know that listening to you, hearing your concerns and creative ideas, will help us find our way to God’s future for our churches.

If you have questions and answers about the future of rural churches, Bishop Andrew Asbil invites you to join him for conversation at Trinity Church, Aurora on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

We need to serve you, so please contact me at emccaffrey@toronto.anglican.ca. I will collect the questions you have now to help us plan the event. (Spontaneous questions will also be welcomed at the workshop!) Register and sign up for a free lunch at that same email address.

We know that our Creator, the Lord of the Harvest, doesn’t give up on us; the Spirit lifts us up. We know that our Church is God’s Church and is eternal. Before I left home for the big city, my farmer Dad adapted to changing markets: feedlot farming moved to market gardening and then to custom woodcutting, maple syrup production, and Christmas tree horticulture. The Church will change, and seedtime and harvest, day and night, and the redemptive, compassionate work of our Saviour will endure. Come and join us as we join our God in God’s mission.

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One of my escapes while living in the state of self-isolation has been our garden. Outside our kitchen window is a lilac tree. Since the middle of March, I have watched with joy the tree come to life, small buds slowly sprouting, pushing through the end of what seems a lifeless branch. One branch taps the window when the wind is blowing – an invitation, of sorts, to notice that life is returning in the garden. The brown wilted leaves left behind by autumn are letting go to green shoots poking up through the surface of the earth. The rains of April soaked the soil in preparation for May flowers. The garden reminds us that our nature is not to stay inside, cooped up and self-isolated forever.

And what is true of our own nature is true of the Church, too. For 50 days after the resurrection appearances, the early Church remained, as instructed, in isolation. Wait for the promise that the Father is sending to you. You will receive the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus said to them. They waited, prayed, watched and prepared for the day when they could break into the world like the bud on what seems a lifeless branch. We hear about the day in the book of Acts, chapter 2. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Out into the streets they went, breaking into the world to tell out their souls the greatness of the Lord. No fear, no hesitation, no second thoughts – out they went like they couldn’t wait. Like being given the all-clear after 50 days of self-isolation. Can you picture that?

Have we not been doing the same in this time of imposed isolation and quarantine? Have we not been preparing, praying, watching and learning how to be the Church separated from each other? Have we not been learning again, or perhaps for the first time, what it means to be faithful when all that we are used to doing is taken for a time: touch, closeness, intimacy, three dimensions rather than just two. This time of seclusion has, I hope, also been a time of germination. We have been experimenting with new ways of reaching out and supporting one another. We have moved beyond our comfort zones to try new things, experiment and take risks for the sake of the gospel.

One day, the all-clear will be given. One day, we will be permitted to open our doors and break back into the world. One day, we will gather around the altar, break bread, pour out wine and speak shalom to one another with deep joy. And when that day finally comes, I pray that we will not lose what we have learned, what we have gleaned from this time of separation. I pray that this time of germination will deepen our collective resolve to be the Church. I pray that through our ministry others will hear the tapping at the window or door and know new life in Jesus Christ.

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One of the parish’s strategic and missional thrusts is partnering with other organizations, and PH4F was a perfect fit. This group mainly comprises young families concerned about climate change. They advocate for local initiatives in the community that build capacity and awareness around green issues.

“On so many levels Repair Café was a great success, and we were proud to host such a diverse array of residents from the town,” says the Rev. Jesse Parker, incumbent. “We use our hall for a weekly community dinner that feeds nearly 100 people, and we have a seasonal used clothing store, and this event seemed a great extension to these initiatives. We are building the stewardship capacity in this community!”

The parish hall was abuzz all day as about 30 “fixers” worked to restore as many items as possible for their owners. Even though it seemed the community had been intrigued by the concept of Repair Café before the event, those involved were thrilled by the steady stream of people who arrived bearing broken treasures in search of a second chance. Transferring skills from one generation to another occurred naturally as people sat and talked over the repair of their sweaters, chairs, lamps, toasters, guitars, bicycles and suitcases. Among the skilled repairers were a knife sharpener, an upholsterer, computer specialists, bike mechanics, seamstresses and electricians. A drop-in yoga class ran all day, as did activities for children. The local library had a booth. Activists who were determined to save a local old growth woodland from development were there to discuss the issue with folks and there was a petition handy for signatures.

St. John’s is determined to rise to the Fifth Mark of Mission by becoming a better steward of God’s creation and looking for opportunities to work with the broader Port Hope community on the issue of climate change. The original Repair Café happened in Amsterdam in 2009. Since then the movement has spread. In 2019, there were 2,000 Repair Cafés, mostly in Europe and the United States but also in Asia and Africa, as well as Canada. The Repair Café organization was extremely helpful. “We followed their approach and it worked out beautifully,” says Penny Nutbrown, the organizer. “It was a fun and natural way to connect with people from the community, and everyone loved the church-lady sandwiches that were available all day!”

The response to the first Repair Café in Port Hope was so positive that the church plans to hold a second Repair Café on Aug. 22. While similar to the first, this summer Repair Café will have a back-to-school theme and will include a children’s clothing swap. The beginning of the school year often leaves young families with credit card debt as they struggle to meet the needs of their children. This Repair Café is determined to help alleviate some of that stress by helping people find ways to re-use and repurpose items rather than purchase new ones, says Ms. Nutbrown, adding “Repair Café is just one way that St. John’s is bringing the living gospel out from behind church walls and into the community.”

The post Church’s first Repair Café gets the job done appeared first on The Toronto Anglican.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has shuttered church buildings and cancelled services throughout the diocese, the work of the Church in caring for the poor and advocating on their behalf has become more urgent than ever.

The provincial government recognized the critical importance of outreach supports in its March 24 emergency order, providing that “businesses and other organizations that support the provision of food, shelter, safety or protection, and/or social services and other necessities of life to economically disadvantaged and other vulnerable individuals” were to be considered essential services.

Angie Hocking, head of outreach at Church of the Redeemer, Bloor Street was named as the diocesan point person for questions pertaining to front-line ministries during the pandemic. She swiftly moved to organize Zoom gatherings of clergy and lay outreach staff to identify issues of concern. A Facebook group for resource-sharing was set up and eventually expanded to welcome outreach workers from other faithbased organizations. Elin Goulden, the diocese’s Social Justice & Advocacy Consultant, created a diocesan policy that included best practices for outreach services.

While in a very few instances programs were suspended to protect the health of elderly and at-risk volunteers, a survey sent to parishes on March 16 found that more than 30 parishes in the diocese continued to offer their regular outreach programs, with adaptations to observe hygiene precautions and social distancing. Community meal programs distributed meals-to-go, and food banks admitted one client at a time and pre-packaged hampers where possible.

Loss of income has increased pressure on food banks and community meal programs. At Church of the Redeemer, the Common Table has gone from serving 80 to 120 meals per day. St. James’ Cathedral serves lunch twice a week to meet the increased need. At the same time, many parishes have experienced an outpouring of community support. “For every volunteer we have lost because they have to selfisolate, three more have called asking how they can help,” reported the Rev. Tay Moss at Church of the Messiah, home of the Avenue Road Food Bank. At St. Stephen in-the-Fields, it was a similar story. “We’ve had amazing donations of food, money, community-made hand sanitizer, gloves, takeaway containers, and so many people sending us messages and coming in to help, it’s been almost overwhelming,” noted the Rev. Maggie Helwig. At St. Timothy, Agincourt, the Rev. Deacon Kathy Buligan found breakfast program volunteers “eager to participate” and the guests “happy to see we are still there for them.” From Mississauga to Cobourg, from Orillia to Peterborough, parishes continue to find ways to be there for those most in need.

For those who are homeless – already at increased risk due to the prevalence of underlying health conditions – social distancing is impossible while sleeping in overcrowded shelters and respite centres. Several parishes in Toronto initially offered space to the city to help reduce overcrowding in homeless shelters. However, as several cases of COVID-19 were identified in shelters and the province further reduced the number of people allowed to gather in one location, it became clear that the best option to safeguard the health of those who are homeless and those who assist them would be to provide hotel rooms to allow people to selfisolate. Other communities in the diocese, including Barrie and York Region, have already begun to take this approach. On March 30, Mayor John Tory announced the provision of 1,150 such units in Toronto, but with the total number of the city’s homeless estimated at 10 times that number, much more needs to be done. Bishop Andrew Asbil and the two Toronto area bishops wrote to Mayor Tory on March 31, urging the expedited provision of hotel rooms for all those experiencing homelessness.

At a press conference the same day, Bishop Kevin Robertson commented, “As we self-isolate in our own homes, there are thousands in our city forced to sleep in overcrowded shelters. The government is the only entity with the infrastructure and the financial resources to make this happen quickly. That’s why we, and other faith groups, are urging government to show strong leadership.”

The pandemic has exposed the inequalities in our society. It is clearer than ever that homelessness is a health crisis, and that many are on the brink of income and food insecurity. Yet the crisis has also galvanized communities to care and advocate for those most in need. There is hope that we will come through this, together.

Want to get involved? If you are interested in assisting the parishes that continue to offer community care during the pandemic, please contact Angie at hockinga@theredeemer.ca. To learn more about advocacy efforts in the diocese, contact Elin Goulden at egoulden@toronto.anglican.ca.

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Neighbours hold street isolation dance party

The neighbours on a nearby street have a social media page where they update each other on local happenings and look out for one another. Apparently yesterday, a neighbour suggested they have a street isolation dance party. So someone blasted dance music from the car stereo as they drove up and down the street. People – some in costume – came outside and danced or boogied on their doorsteps. Apparently there was lots of laughter and relief. This story inspired me when I heard about it this morning. We are also trying to have a virtual coffee hour on our Facebook page, asking people to check in. We floated the idea earlier today and so we will see how it goes. But it was one strategy to reduce isolation.

The Rev. Julia Burn
Incumbent
Church of the Resurrection, Toronto

God is doing a new thing in our midst

It has been so inspiring to see how our parishioners have come together to care for one another. It’s really quite amazing, when you think about the fact that we’ve had to find a whole new way of operating. In a little less than a week, we have been able to plan and execute online worship services, create and distribute daily prayer resources, coordinate pastoral care phone calls and prayer chains, coordinate volunteers to deliver goods to parishioners who are shut-in or practicing self-isolation, continue to manage our stewardship efforts, and a thousand other little things. We are finding new ways to serve a very old mission: to be salt for the earth and light for the world.

The gospel appointed for Lent 4A (John 9.1-41) tells of Jesus’ healing of a man blind since birth. It is a timely reading. In this unprecedented time, how is God opening our eyes to see the work of ministry in a new way? My eyes are opened in a new way to the depth of faith and commitment of the members of this parish community.

My eyes are opened to new ways of connecting with each other, of being the Church for one another. My eyes are opened in a new way to the presence of God in our midst. God is, right now, doing a new thing in our midst. It’s not what we expected, it’s not what we would have chosen for ourselves, but here it is for all to see. It’s wondrous to behold.

The Rev. Jesse Parker
Incumbent
St. John the Evangelist, Port Hope

Spanish Flu survivor shares wisdom

The eldest parishioner at St. Augustine’s was born in 1916 and will be 104 this summer. I’ve often marvelled at how much history is contained in her lifespan. Kay would have been a toddler during the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918-19. And yet she reminds me that we survive and indeed, we go on to thrive. She also saw the founding of our parish congregation and lived through all the years when they saved and raised money and built our building in stages. She was alive the last time our churches were shuttered to preserve public health and her enduring presence reminds me that this too will pass and God will call us into a hopeful and promising future.

The Rev. Megan Jull
Priest-in-Charge
St. Augustine of Canterbury, Toronto

Contacting everyone tightens parish bonds

Our lay pastoral team and I met after we were advised that we weren’t to have services. We had a list of parishioners who are on email, so I sent out devotionals to them twice a week to keep in touch. The team and I called the remaining parishioners who didn’t have email. We wondered if we should call everyone on the list, even those we didn’t see often. The answer was an immediate and resounding “yes.” We called them and they were extremely pleased and very appreciative of what we were doing. God works in mysterious ways. By coming together through this cancellation of services, we may bring our parish family even closer together.

The Rev. Jeanette Lewis
Incumbent
St. Barnabas, Chester

God has forced us to use our imagination

It has only taken me a few days to realize that what I thought was a devastating blow to our plans has turned into a huge opportunity to rethink how we do things and have the potential to reach even more people digitally. Doors continue to open because our creative God has forced us to use our imagination. We can’t do everything we hoped to do this Easter, but we can still do a lot – just differently. Also, I believe during this time of crisis, it is important to be frugal but we can’t forget to be generous. Now is the time that our communities will need us. Now is the time for them to get to meet us, get to know who we are and trust us. The seeds we sow today will be the fruit we see on the other side of this crisis.

Adam Furfaro
Executive Director
Light On The Hill, Oak Ridges

People have started to talk with each other

After the flurry of cancelling events and meetings and coming to the realization that nothing can as yet be known, people have started to talk with each other. My cousins, who I’ve not seen for years, are on an email chain that started with a cancellation of an aunt’s Celebration of Life. My sister, wife, brother-in-law and I had a “face-to-face” using Zoom yesterday and, well, there was no need to finish the conversation and get onto the next activity in the calendar. As everything gets cancelled, I’m forced to assess what’s really important. Small-group Bible Study and Sunday dinner with the family come to the top.

Archdeacon Kyn Barker
Coordinator of Deacons

Attendance at online devotions surge

We have been using the Zoom platform for morning devotions for about two years. On average, eight members participate in our morning viDEoVOTIONS, Monday to Thursday. Three persons usually join me for Wednesday’s noon day prayers. We also use it for the occasional meeting. When we were setting up to use Zoom for the first Sunday during the “cessation of Sunday assemblies,” we invited members to test their connections; no more than eight came on. But on that first Sunday, there were 50 connections, with a total of about 65 members, including our area bishop, participating. The next day, an additional member joined our viDEoVOTIONS and five joined our Wednesday noon day prayers. At their request, we will now be having noon day prayers, Monday to Thursday, each week. The church is not the building, it is the people of God!

The Rev. Dr. Canon Stephen Fields
Incumbent
Holy Trinity, Thornhill

Parish moves quickly to reach elderly, those alone

I have been impressed with how quickly our parish has mobilized resources to establish a phone tree to check on elderly parishioners and those who live alone, to see if they need any pastoral support or just help getting groceries. We are often accused of taking forever to make decisions but in this case the outreach activity was up and running within a short while after the diocese decided to suspend all services. I am sure many other parishes have mounted similar efforts but it was truly inspiring to see it first-hand. We have heard back from a number of call recipients who have greatly appreciated that the church is keeping in touch with them in these difficult times, and is concerned about them.

Bob Boeckner
St. Clement, Eglinton

Strangers offer help to couple in isolation

My wife Judi and I are in “house lockdown” for two weeks after returning from vacation in Florida. On our street, people whom I have never met have asked how they can help us. Plus, while walking our dog I saw three ladies chatting on the street corner, each standing two metres apart. We all laughed and joked about the use of social distancing. I had never met them before. The Lord truly moves in mysterious ways his wonders to perform.

Peter Marshall
St. Thomas a Beckett, Erin Mills South

Drop-ins, food chain help the homeless

I’ve been moved and inspired by the way that the drop-ins providing services to homeless and marginalized people have pulled together. The Toronto Drop-In Network has done a fantastic job of collecting information and keeping communications flowing, and the different locations and workers have been sharing resources and ideas. They’ve been pulling together in their determination to continue serving our very vulnerable and fragile people.

But there’s also been lots of cooperation and generosity from people outside the network. A few days ago, I saw someone on social media saying that anyone who needed to see something cheerful should look at the Twitter feed of Mohamed Fakih, the CEO of Paramount Fine Foods. I took a look and saw that, since his restaurants couldn’t offer sit-down service any more, he was proposing to convert the kitchens to prepare meals for any shelters or food banks who asked. I wrote to the company, and within half an hour we had a promise of 50 boxed meals for our drop-in, as long as someone could drive to Mississauga to pick them up. I put out a request to our contacts, and the first volunteer was a Jewish friend whom I knew from antiracist/ antifascist work. So we ended up with all three Abrahamic faiths coming together to help people in need. It was a really nice moment.

The Rev. Maggie Helwig
Incumbent
St. Stephen in-the-Fields, Toronto

Team pulls together on water and land

On Tuesday we arrived back from Florida, where my son was sailing in a training camp. Our coach is Argentinian but working with Canadian teams under a work permit. Throughout the week, as things continued to heighten about COVID-19, tensions were high about staying in Florida or coming home. As we watched Justin Trudeau telling us to come home and that the boarders would be shut, the whole team just worried about our coach and how to get him back before the borders closed to him. Thankfully, this was accomplished, as he is a blessing to our teams. As well, three families drove home, and through our WhatsApp group, everyone was checking in with those families and encouraging them along their way. There was a team effort not only on the water but getting everyone home. What was most inspiring to me about all of this was that most of us had never met each other before and we just banded together for the good of everyone else. I was thankful to be a part of this moment of goodness and teamwork.

Jillian Ruch
York-Scarborough youth ministry area coordinator

Friends step up to fill the gap

I’m inspired by and grateful to our many generous supporters. When word got out that the Daily Bread Food Bank is stopping drop-in deliveries, friends of All Saints stepped up to fill the gap. This week, we received food and other donations from All Saints, Kingsway, St. George, Pickering Village, the kids and adults of DeGrassi Street neighbourhood, and countless other individuals and volunteers. Today (March 20), we distributed meals to over 200 people and shared other items like bread and fruit. We heard many “God bless you”s. The Spirit is alive and well.

The Rev. Dr. Alison Falby
Priest-in-Charge
All Saints Church-Community Centre, Toronto

Family bears circumstances without complaint

This morning I was in a funeral home with a family who is dealing with the sudden death of their husband/dad. I was watching his teenage son, his wife and brother as they tried to plan a funeral for a man who, a month ago, would have filled the church with mourners. As they made difficult decisions and plans in this very unusual time, they bore it all without complaint. They chose to find the blessing in only close family being with them, they found blessing in this time when the dayto- day changes actually allowed people to have time to talk with them. The care of a good funeral home was also a blessing as they gently guided them to a safe plan that also honoured the deceased.

The Rev. Canon Jennifer Reid
Incumbent
St. Peter, Erindale

Young leader inspires with can-do attitude

With Sunday services cancelled with short notice, we have quickly scrambled to feed the good people of St. Philip on-the-Hill with spiritual nourishment on a daily basis via our webpage. I have been inspired by the kindness of one of our young people, a first-year university student who is tech savvy. In very short order, she had our team encouraged and producing spiritual content that she uploaded to our website for our congregation and others to listen to and pray with. As I thanked her, she wrote, “No problem, I’m always happy to help. Especially during this time, we need all hands on deck.” That last phrase, “we need all hands on deck” – such a wonderful attitude! Ruwani has inspired and cheered our team and helped us to do what we could not do ourselves. This is church at its best, working together with a can-do attitude. That’s what we need in these anxious, uncertain days. I am inspired by our young people addressing needs that surround.

The Rev. Stephen Kern
Incumbent
St. Philip on-the-Hill, Unionville

Ordinary time has been preparing us for this

We have been offering live-streamed worship from St. Timothy’s and I have been astonished both at the levels of participation we have seen and the comments we have received. Daily prayer is probably relatively new for many of our congregation, yet participation has grown steadily through the week, and it is clear that in many cases households are gathered around a table participating in worship via Zoom. (We send out a bulletin for every service to encourage participation.) I am moved by stories of how this has brought families closer together and has been a source of strength and encouragement. I have also been calling around the parish, beginning with those who are vulnerable or who live alone. I always ask if they need someone to do practical tasks like shopping and I am always told that this has already been attended to. In this extraordinary time, what is being driven home for me is that this is what our ordinary time has been preparing us for. Our worship, our prayers, our celebrations of life and love, our patient building of community, our acts of generosity and kindness are all about being the body of Christ, and now as the externals are forcibly stripped away from us we are discovering that we are still the body of Christ.

The Rev. Canon Dr. Eric Beresford
Incumbent
St. Timothy, North Toronto 

Experience left us full of love and laughter

We held a dial-in worship service, along with a digitally recorded service posted on our website, this past Sunday. When we opened up our conference line, we first heard our wonderful lay pianist playing and then the sound of so many of our people coming on the call to worship together from home. It turned out we had well over 100 people on the phone at once. We all started greeting each other joyfully—so many “Hi’s!” and “Hello’s!” that it was like the Tower of Babel re-enacted. That moment itself was so moving. We worshipped together, praying aloud in unison and listening to a homily, followed by the most wild and wacky version of “Morning Has Broken” any of us have ever experienced—but we were just so full of love and laughter afterwards. Cheryl and I received so many texts and emails of gratitude after this dial-in service and it’s a ministry and fellowship moment we won’t ever forget.

The Rev. Molly Finlay
Associate Priest
Christ Church Deer Park

Phone calls keep church members connected

My life this past week has been a combination of reaching forward into new technology while at the same time reaching backwards into the tested and true. I mean phoning people. I have been encouraging the people of St. Anne’s to call each other, especially those not connected to the internet, several of whom are seniors. My calls today were lovely – engaged and upbeat. Everyone says they are well-provisioned and feeling connected. Without exception, everyone I phoned today has already had calls from other members of our congregation. I was talking to the woman who loaned me her copy of The Atlantic to read David Brooks’ article, “The Nuclear Family was a Mistake.” We both marvelled at how timely this is for St. Anne’s. The sentence that jumped out for us was this: “The experience has convinced me that everybody should have membership in a forged family with peo- ple completely unlike themselves.” Forged in the sense of melded, created, chosen. It’s a beautiful vocabulary waiting in the wings for this moment.

The Rev. Canon Gary van der Meer
Incumbent
St. Anne, Toronto

In touch with parishioners, migrant workers

I am always in touch with my parishioners of St. Saviour’s as well as the migrant workers through social media, wherever they may be. In these unprecedented times, communicating through this medium has become much more profound. I can communicate with them and encourage them and let them know that I am praying for them. It has also pushed me to videotape myself and conduct services via social media. Some are expressing appreciation for this, which is heartwarming. Another way to connect with each other for now. This was my recent message to them in English and Spanish: “That in times such as this, where we might experience perplexity and fear and concern for family, friends, those in our congregation and ourselves, may we look to our God, who is a place of refuge and strength!”

The Rev Augusto Nunez
Incumbent
St. Saviour, Orono

Email from friend feels like Christmas morning

What’s inspired me? It’s the emails that are like chats in the narthex – people writing about their day or their cats. And there was one that felt like Christmas morning. A friend had sent a lovely note that was newsy and reflective and funny, and attached were gifts to open: a recipe, a book recommendation, a cartoon, a killer exercise program, and my favourite, a link to Sister Sledge singing “We Are Family!” That made me get up and dance.

The Rev. Susan Spicer
Priest-in-Charge
St. George, Pickering Village, Ajax

People taking time to draw nearer to God

In the midst of COVID-19, we like many other parishes are reaching out to connect to our parishioners by phone, touching base, and checking in to see how people are coping and staying connected. Despite the challenges that people are facing with isolation, working from home and all the uncertainty that now faces us, I have had so many conversations with people who are committed to using this time to draw nearer to God in prayer, in reading of scripture and in study. Though we cannot meet in person, it is so encouraging to see people’s faith not only remain but go deeper.

The Rev. Jennifer Schick
Priest-in-Charge
St. Bede, Toronto

People are helping any way they can

Lots has happened in a week, but for me the inspiring moments have been people offering to help others anyway they can. One parishioner who lives in Whitby offered to come to Lindsay to deliver food to people in self-isolation. Phone calls are being made by parishioners to those who are alone. Prayers are being said for people who have various needs and are just anxious about the crisis we are facing. Worship online is also an inspiration as a few dedicated parishioners have come to ensure that those at home can worship together as the Body of Christ in a new and exciting way.

The Rev. Dr. Warren Leibovitch
Incumbent
St. Paul, Lindsay

Generosity brings tears to my eyes

The town of Penetanguishene is helping our church keep our Deacon’s Cupboard filled – overflowing, in fact. This keeps the hungry fed. I walk by the cupboard and am overwhelmed with gratitude to everyone who is keeping it filled for us. The entrance to the church (although closed) is packed with food that has been given because it just doesn’t fit in the cupboard. The generosity of the town of Penetanguishene to help us help others has brought tears to my eyes.

Also, we did our first service on Zoom yesterday. When I opened the Zoom page, I wish I had taken a screen shot of everyone attending. They were so excited to see each other and I just let them talk, and talk they did. It was amazing how they connected. Then we took the time to pray together, pray for each other and now they are telling all their friends to come to our Zoom church.

Finally, there is a new online group for leaders of local faith groups, we have come together to uphold each other, pray together, and share resources and ideas. This has united us like nothing I have ever seen before. As one Rabbi wrote: “We will not know the crisis is over because everything goes back to being the same. We will know the crisis is over when we are certain that everything has changed. Then we will know beyond all doubt that this crisis is over.” I am seeing change in how we worship, how we have come together as a town and, even via social media, how we truly have become one.

The Rev. Eileen Steele
Incumbent
Parishes of Waubaushene & Penetanguishene

Trial run became first launch

Although we all expected the COVID-19 pandemic would hit us soon, we were all caught off guard by how quickly it spread and evolved day by day and hour by hour. In early March, St. Christopher’s planned to have a test run of a live stream on March 15. But it turned out that the trial run became our launch. Two hours before the launch, we also created an online donation portal on our website. I am grateful for our e-ministry team to make these happen. After the hectic week of moving things online and grocery stocking, I was thankful for Bishop Peter Fenty’s pastoral call to calm me down during the chaos. He reminded me that instead of losing parishioners in this unprecedent situation, many may turn to God. Indeed, how can Christians take this crisis into an opportunity to reach out?

As more and more parishioners became self-isolated, we asked our small group leaders and caring members to reach out to others. These efforts included a weekly call to see how worried they were and also to encourage them to listen to the audio Bible reading app, hymns from YouTube, join our Sunday live stream services and pray with them. We also asked our leaders to report back if there were individuals who had difficulty dealing with the crisis and need special attention. Our leaders have been demonstrating great Christian love to care for one another.

The Rev. Canon Philip Der
Incumbent
St. Christopher, Richmond Hill

Parishioner felt new-found peace

I have felt blessed by God in so many ways these past few days. I think we are being reminded in very real ways of what it means to be the body of Christ even though we are dispersed and not gathering together as we usually do. The power of being connected and in relationship has taken on a higher significance. For me, I have enjoyed seeing how God is at work using the internet and social media. Technological advances have often been criticized as separating us into our own individual selves and isolating us from others. Now we see the blessing of technology and how God is using it to keep us connected and as a means of sharing the good news and hope of the gospel. I was overwhelmed when a parishioner in her 90s sent a note saying she had begun to feel anxiety, given what’s going on with this virus. She entered into the worship that was offered in the form an online prayer vigil. She felt a new- found peace. It wasn’t the video we created; it was God at work through the Holy Spirit.

The Rev. Canon Mark Kinghan
Incumbent
St. Paul, Uxbridge

Rural, urban parishioners attending to the needs of others

I serve two parishes, one rural and one urban. At St. Matthew-St. Aidan, in the hamlet of Buckhorn, I have been inspired by how smoothly parishioners have adjusted to the new normal and adapted to caring for one another at a distance. People in a small town are used to caring for one another. In the midst of the challenges and worries of COVID-19, people are remaining calm, focused and attentive to responding appropriately to the needs of others in the community. I have been inspired by how naturally, our parish teams have made the transition to adjust while remaining focused on how we serve the local community and beyond. I’m inspired by how our parish has not lost sight of the fact that caring for those in need is a parish priority.

In Peterborough, local foodbanks are challenged by recent shortages and by the rigorous procedures for safe food distribution during the pandemic. I have been inspired by how the food cupboard team at St. Luke’s has carefully adjusted how they package and distribute groceries and staples to their clients. The food cupboard, its freezers and inventory, is located in the basement of the church, some distance along a narrow hall from the point of access. To reconfigure the usual distribution method required careful planning and a lot of labour to package everything individually and move it to the upstairs door so that people could be served safely, one at a time according to the COVID-19 guidelines from Peterborough Food Share. I have been truly inspired by the commitment and high energy level of our food cupboard team under the guidance of Lorraine Brown. Many people in the parish recognized the increased need and, while observing physical and social distancing, contributed extra supplies and extra funds for it.

One other thing that gave me both a happy smile and an added moment of inspiration was hearing how Faith Rees of St. Luke’s, not to be deterred by St. Patrick’s Day cancellations nor by her senior years, donned her Irish garb, put on the Irish tunes, and danced a jig on the balcony of her apartment. May she be an inspiration to us all.

The Rev. Glenn Empey
St. Matthew-S.t Aidan, Buckhorn
St. Luke, Peterborough

Churches hold true to the Fifth Mark of Mission

The virus has helped all of us come alive with our faith. In addition to the countless ways clergy and lay leaders have found to help us worship together when we are not together, I have been most moved to realize that most food and care programs that have been quietly running in many of our churches have not closed up shop. Food is being prepared, packaged up and delivered, often to the homes of people who need it, but at minimum, at the back door of the parish hall for people to pick up. The cooks are being careful to keep to the required distance from each other, but people are being fed.

It seems to me that by holding true to the Fifth Mark of Mission, several of our churches are, in fact, proclaiming Good News to their communities, and perhaps even encouraging some community members (both those hearing about or experiencing the feeding) to explore again in their own hearts the value of a faith community. And maybe, just maybe, by these acts of care and love, we are drawing attention of governments and Canadian citizens to the fact that there are societal things that must be corrected when this pandemic is over. We have for too long neglected the homeless, the poor, the lonely, the mentally ill, Indigenous peoples and others. I am inspired by the Anglicans and others of faith I know who are putting themselves on the line to reach out to those who are among those oft-neglected groups, with food, with kind words, and with sincere questions about their well being. Hope and love in action! Praise God! Praise God’s people!

Suzanne Lawson
St. Peter, Cobourg

Early efforts helps town adapt

Eighteen months ago, the small grocery store in the village closed down. This left all of the people who live in the village who do not drive without a way to buy groceries. In Cannington, the grocery store had a fire and was closed for a year. In both cases, the large grocery store on the highway was the only grocery store near either village. Local people started driving neighbours, shopping for people, and arranging buses to take people to the highway store. This has been going on in Beaverton since then, so we were already getting groceries for each other and looking in on vulnerable neighbours. All of this made it easier for us to adapt to isolation because of COVID-19.

The Rev. Canon Ted McCollum
Incumbent
St. Paul, Beaverton

Church still offering comfort and hope

As I look out from my balcony, I see the church of St. George on Yonge looking so deserted and desolate, but still offering comfort and hope to the Out of the Cold program. It is still going strong, despite COVID-19, which has robbed us of even our Lenten worship. I wonder why this virus surfaced just at the start of Lent. It is definitely giving us all a chance to take stock of our lives and the world in general. But looking out onto that glittering Cross, I am confident that this pestilence will be crushed, the dragon slain and we will awake to a glorious Easter!

Roshni Sircar
St. George on Yonge Toronto

Comment leads to prayer and conversation

Over the first few days of the COVID-19 pandemic, I had a number of moments when I sat back and said, “Wow, God is really up to something” – whether that was a chance encounter with a very anxious parishioner in the grocery store or the people who responded to the reflection questions in the Facebook version of our study group. The moment, though, that I want to share happened on Sunday, March 15. I was up at my usual time to get ready, but without a regular worship service to prepare the church for, I found myself on Facebook scrolling through posts. I came across a post in a community group from someone I knew from the community support groups we offer, who commented on the challenge of getting the groceries she needed for self-isolation because she has health issues that make her more vulnerable. I commented that I would be happy to help. A Facebook Messenger conversation ensued, a way that we had not connected before, and she shared with me some other medical concerns she was facing and we prayed and we have now setup a Facebook group chat and are planning a video chat in place of our next meeting. If it had not been for COVID-19 I might not have connected with her like this and I certainly would not have been able to pray with her and for her at this time of need.

The Rev. Dana Dickson
Incumbent
Trinity Church, Bradford

People are hungry for the Word

Last week before the church buildings had to close, we offered a time of personal prayer on Sunday morning for those who wished to come pray in St. Paul’s sanctuary. To my delight, I had one person who avoids church on Sundays because it is too crowded come in and ask for a Bible, which I happily gave him. Another family came in who are fairly new immigrants, and they also deeply wished to have a Bible of their own. People are hungry for the Word, and it was such a privilege to be able to put it in their hands, and to have deep and meaningful connections with people that may not have happened on a busy Sunday morning. God is at work!

The Rev. Karen Isaacs
Associate Priest
St. Paul, Bloor Street

Moments of grace abound at hospital

It might be hard to imagine how screening people at the hospital doors could warm my heart. But I see so much goodness within everyone. Some may be annoyed or afraid, but they all quickly reach out and clean their hands – clearing all that might harm another. An action of hope. As I list the possible symptoms that could keep them from visiting friends and loved ones, they answer with a quick “no” to all. And then they smile, ask me how I am and often tell me something about their own day. The other night when I told a visitor I was the chaplain, he was happily surprised to find a chaplain doing the screening at the doors. He told me how pleased his mother was for the visit she received from an Anglican. His mother is Lutheran. She told him that even though I am not Lutheran, I had proved to be acceptable as a chaplain. She also loved the prayer of blessing I gave her. I gently reminded him Anglicans and Lutherans were in communion. “Oh I know, but my mother thinks only Lutherans know what they are doing.” He remarked it was interesting that Roman Catholic Sisters began this hospital. I was, of course, called to tell the story of the Anglican Sisterhood of St. John the Divine building the hospital for the care of everyone. His smile was broad as he exclaimed, “So many Anglicans!”

As we seek to minimize in-person visits and contact, to protect everyone, the Sisters are now connecting remotely with patients and staff. It’s such a new, strange way of being a spiritual care provider. But prayers, and communicating love and hope, are part of who the Sisters are. Today is March 22 and many in the world are joining together to light a candle of prayer in a window. One of the Sisters drew a brightly lit candle on a card, writing the words encouragement, support and prayers beneath the candle. She sent it over to me and I took it to her unit for the staff. The gratitude I received from the staff, on behalf of the Sister, illuminated my faith that though we are all separated and in our small corners, the light of love and healing embraces us all.

The Rev. Canon Joanne Davies
Chaplain
St. John’s Rehab, Toronto

Overwhelmed by care during illness

After arriving home from a trip to Cuba on March 14, my daughters and I got sick with what appears to be COVID-19 (we are considered presumptive cases as we are not eligible to be tested). We were staying at a hotel in close quarters with people from Spain, Italy, Germany and the UK. Even before we were symptomatic, we went into isolation. The illness is not fun, but we have been very fortunate to not have any serious breathing issues. We have been overwhelmed by the care being shown to us by our church community and other neighbours. People picking up groceries, walking our dog and dropping off, on a daily basis, baked goods, homemade soup and bottles of wine! The latter will have to wait until I am well. As a person who is used to being the one caring for others, it is a humbling experience and deeply moving. Watching my daughter’s response to people’s compassion and generosity reminds me of how important our actions towards one another are. Can’t do much these days, but praying with everyone else.

The Rev. Canon Ruthanne Ward
Incumbent
Church of the Ascension, Port Perry

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