Reference

A Message from the COVID-19 Response Team

March 20, 2022

The Covid response team held its final meeting on Thursday, March 17 – just over two years after it was first formed by Council. We know that many people in our congregation are in different places with covid. Some are ready for no restrictions, others wish restrictions would ease out more gradually, while others still remain very cautious. As a community of faith we are invited to care for one another, and to make our physical space as welcoming to everyone as possible at the same time that we recognize we are entering a new phase of this pandemic.

NEW SUNDAY MARCH 20TH:
Singing during worship begins
Distancing encouraged but no longer required – we will have a distancing section
Signing in no longer required

Continued guidance:
Vaccination and boosting encouraged
Distancing encouraged
Please worship from home if you feel unwell
We encourage individual responsibility: do what is needed to feel safe

Masking Update:
Masking required in the building until April 4th (2 weeks after March Break ends)
Masking required for worship and singing indoors until April 27th (when all mask requirements are lifted)
Once requirements are lifted, masks are strongly recommended

Church Building Hours:
The church building will be open from 9-11am on Tuesdays and Fridays
Once our internet is more reliable, we will increase the hours

Here is a little more on what it will be like attending worship in-person in the coming weeks:

When you arrive, you will not need to show proof of vaccination or sign in when you enter – but please remember to don your mask before stepping into the building. You can choose to hang up your coat or to keep it with you – we will continue to try to keep some windows open to increase air circulation.

For those who want to continue distancing, you will see a section of the sanctuary has pews with ribbons marking off every other pew. If you sit in this section, you will signal that you would like to continue distancing and will not have to repeat this to anyone. If you have been looking forward to sitting near friends, please sit in pews that do not have ribbons marking off every other pew.

During our worship service, you are invited to stand (as you are able) and sing for our hymns.

Following the service, you are invited to move around and chat with people in the pews while remaining masked, or to exit and chat outside the church, with or without masks.

A note for choir members and those who look forward to hearing our choir in person: our choir is also looking forward to returning to church. At present, choir members are invited to sit with the congregation for hymns, and then after the Easter anthems are recorded, the choir will begin rehearsing for live congregational singing in mid-April.

Thank You for your support!

Any questions? Please ask Emily Gordon if you would like more details about the decisions of the final Covid response team meeting.

See you in church! In-Person Worship starts this Sunday

February 20, 2022
Photo by Murray Fenner

Our monthly In the Wild gathering will be at 9am on February 20th on the church lawn. Wear a mask and come dressed and ready to Celebrate Snow!

On February 20th at 10:30am our theme is “Love my enemy?” Our music will include the anthem “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and our piano prelude will be Oscar Peterson’s Hymn to Freedom.

We look forward to worshiping with you, in-person, on Zoom, or on YouTube starting this Sunday.

Important COVID Team NEWS:

Many restrictions are being lifted in Ontario. The Covid-19 team has met this week to review these as they apply to our Church.The decision was made to commence In-person worship on Sunday, February 20th.Please note the following:

  • Proof of vaccination is required
  • Masking is required (Please note that the use of N95 masks is encouraged)
  • Socially distanced at all times

More details about In-Person Worship:

It’s been a couple of months since we had an in-person worship option, so here is a more detailed reminder of our guidelines.

Please follow these guidelines for in-person worship in order to keep the experience as COVID safe as possible:

· If you are attending in-person worship and 12-years-old or older, you must show proof of vaccination at the door every time or have a medical exemption (you must speak to Emily Gordon in advance about a medical exemption).

· If you have any COVID symptoms, have had contact with a known COVID case, or are waiting for the results of a COVID test you must stay and worship at home. If you are not well for any reason, please stay and join us virtually.

· Wear a mask at all times while in the church.

· Please arrive 10-15 minutes before the service to show proof of vaccination, complete Sign-in/Wellness form and find your seat.

· Use provided hand sanitizer.

· If needed, pick up a headset at the Sign-in table.

· Maintain social distancing from those not in your bubble, whenever possible. You may use coats placed on the pews to help maintain distancing. Please do not sit in the front rows, since there must be at least 2 metres from our choir leads.

· To provide one-way directional movement everyone: Use Main Millwood Rd ramp/entrance to enter, then exit pew by pew via the McRae Dr doors (unless an elevator is required located at the Millwood Rd Entrance).

· During in-person worship, please remain seated during hymns and do not sing, but if you would like please hum.

· If you wish to speak to other attendees, you are invited to exit the building first, and do so on the lawn.

· Children and youth are welcome to attend and stay with their family during the service. Children may borrow books or colouring materials to use during the service from the children’s area, and one family may choose to use the children’s area rather than being seated in the pews. We encourage full vaccination for all children ages 5-11.

Looking forward to seeing you!

Cheri DiNovo – Special Guest Speaker at Meet U @ The Zoom Room

February 23, 2022

Join us on Wednesday February 23rd at 10:30am on Zoom for a special Meet U @ The Zoom Room speaker event hosted by the Leaside United Affirming Team featuring dynamic speaker, Cheri DiNovo.

More about Rev. Dr. Cheri DiNovo, C.M.
Performed first legalized same sex marriage in Canada. Passed more LGBTQ Bills into law than anyone in Canadian history as MPP in Ontario 2006-2017. Order of Canada winner and of many other Awards including the Lambda In Washington DC for her first book “Qu(e)erying Evangelism” . Author of two books, her latest “The Queer Evangelist” Now Minister at Trinity St Paul’s Centre for Faith Justice and the Arts

Her recent book The Queer Evangelist is available from https://anotherstory.ca/ Another Story Bookshop.

All welcome and invite a friend.

Please share the Zoom link with a friend.

Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88398757927?pwd=RUtiMm9GVzVpK1pEVmgvM3BGUUdRQT09
Meeting ID: 883 9875 7927
Passcode: 666497

Phone In:

For those phoning please:

  1. Dial either phone number: 647-558-0588 or 647-374-4685
  2. Put in the Meeting ID number: 883 9875 7927
  3. Put in the Password number: 666497
  4. If asked for a participant ID, just press #
  5. Unmute your phone by pressing *6

Lesser Evils – Lenten Book Study

March 10, 2022

Join us this lent as we explore “Lesser Evils”

This year’s Lenten book is full of reflections on how to wend your way through the dilemmas of every day living. It’s good to read by itself; it’s even more exciting to read together with others! Join us!

Lesser Evils: Daily Reflections on Seeking Wisdom explores everyday dilemmas of seeking the good while choosing the lesser evil from a Christian perspective. The diverse group of contributors reflect on how their faith informs their daily choices, from “Do I take this parking space?” to “Do I wear this mask?” to “Do I choose to forgive you?”

Contact Rev. Emily