Weekly Notices - July 21, 2021

FROM THE DESK OF THE RECTOR

This morning, six of us gathered under the trees to take time to share about the pandemic.  Such a variety of experiences!  

It’s been so different for each of us. For some, it has been pretty much business as usual at a slower pace with fewer interactions.  For others it’s been a very lonely time, with too much time alone stuck at home.  The pandemic has helped people slow down and some don’t want to go back to that speedy way of living again.  How can we maintain a more sustainable way of life? Some of us have worried about our loved ones alone in care, or living alone.  We’ve worried about their mental health.  And all we could do was listen on the phone or connect via the internet; we couldn’t go to them.

Our priorities have come into sharper focus. We’ve missed gathering with family; being able to touch and hug, and eat together. Yes, Facetime and ZOOM have been a blessing and helped us stay in touch, but there’s no substitute for being together in person.  We may have missed our grandchild’s first steps, a niece or nephew’s graduation.  We may not have been able to attend a loved one’s wedding or funeral. People have missed communion, being in the pews with others, singing, being in the hall enjoying conversation and refreshments.  All these activities we are hungry for and looking forward to. We’ve had to combat our fears and take in all the disasters and tragedies around the world.

 It’s been quite the year and it’s not over. Who are we in the midst of all this change?  How do we reach out to offer and receive hope, compassion and love? Join us next Wednesday at 10am (weather permitting) in the garden for another time to share and be in community.  

Just in case you missed this . . . We will be RE-OPENING our beloved little church on the occasion of our matronal feast day: Sunday August 15th. Look for more details in the coming weeks. It will still be a while before we can socialize and enjoy refreshments in the hall, but hopefully, that too will come soon.  Hallelujah!!  

With the church reopening, we will be needing some help with Sunday after-service COUNTING starting August 15, plus someone to schedule/coordinate our Sunday Coffee Roster in the Fall. 

Contact Barb W for more Counter information (it’s really quite easy) and Selinde for the Sunday Coffee Roster.

Shingles for the church in the north:  While the old shingles from the church roof were picked up by people who saw the value in them as kindling, we had very few donations. If you would like to donate to a church in the north that has much fewer resources than we, any amount would be helpful.  No tax receipt, sorry and thank you!  

ONE MORE WEEK to let KAT know if you interested in ordering the 2022 Canadian Church Calendar

Our St. Francis Pet Memorial Garden is featured in September, about the size of a calendar square.  The cost is by donation.   To order, please let KAT know by JULY 27.