PAUSING IN-PERSON WORSHIP

November 27, 2020

Peace, friends. 

Like so many in our community, we have been following the increased COVID-19 case numbers in the Region of Waterloo. On November 23, 2020, the Region of Waterloo was moved into the Red-Control level of the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework. This means “Waterloo Region residents should consider COVID-19 to be widely circulating in the community. Residents are encouraged to stay home and only go out for essential purposes” (Region of Waterloo website).

Ultimately, it is the safety of volunteers, members, guests, staff, and those we serve that guides our decisions regarding building use and activities. Accordingly, while the Red-Control level still allows for faith based gatherings,

St. Peter’s has made the difficult decision to suspend in-person worship gatherings for the month of December 2020 and the beginning of January 2021; this includes Christmas. 

Should the Region move to the lower Orange-Restrict level sooner, this decision will be reviewed.

This was a difficult decision to make and was not made lightly. I know many will be disappointed and upset. Our volunteers – COVID Operational Planning Team, Board Leadership Team, Worship and Arts Team – have worked so hard over the past number of months to enable in-person worship and those who have attended have been nourished and enriched. 

Of course, just because we can, doesn’t mean we should. In a recent letter, Bishop Larry Kochendorfer (Synod of Alberta and the Territories, ELCIC) reminded us that “our baptismal call to care for our communities must take precedence over our personal longing to see each other or to practice our faith in ways that are familiar to us. God calls us to care for our neighbour and right now that means limiting how many people we come in contact with, even for worship.”

The leadership team remains committed to providing the St. Peter’s and wider community opportunities for connection and worship, particularly while we cannot gather in-person. Our national television ministry continues; you can tune in on Sundays at 10AM on November 29, December 13, December 27, and at 11:30PM on December 24 (Bell Fibe: 201/1201  Bell Satellite: 584, 1505; Rogers Cable: 12/109/518;  Shaw Direct: 67/369 *Local listings across the province and country may vary). Online/eMessenger (worship) materials will continue to be provided as well as supportive pastoral conversation; there is also renewed interest in various learning opportunities.

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read that “For everything there is a season…” There is a time for mourning – like for the loss of normal life and routine – and a time to refrain from embracing – due to social distancing.  But there are also other times. Bishop Larry encourages us to “welcome moments of joy” and “help each other live into hope. Trust that God is at work in this time and look for the new things God is doing even now.” I hope that we can continue to be patient with each other in the weeks ahead.

I continue to be inspired by the resiliency of the St. Peter’s Community. I continue to be moved by your love of neighbour. I continue to be uplifted as you proclaim the Gospel. Know that you remain, as always, in my heart and prayers.

Updates will be offered via eMessenger and website; this is a fluid situation. This is a challenging time, and one that we can continue to meet with “dexterity, generosity, and deep faithfulness. […] May God continue to bless us with abundant gifts of hope, forbearance and patience as we navigate the significant decisions and choices that will need to be made going forward” says our Bishop Michael Pryse (Eastern Synod, ELCIC). We couldn’t agree more.

Onward,

Pastor Mark

LABYRINTH

St. Peter’s had planned to host a few public labyrinth walks in the coming months as a way to re-invite the community into the labyrinth space, and to revive labyrinth programming; due to social distancing, we have had to put the walks on hold for now.  However, this does not mean that we can’t take advantage of what the labyrinth has to offer, while we are staying close to home. Click Labyrinth in the navigation bar to find out more.