A message from the Reverend David Howells
Dear Friends,
Already a lot has changed since I last wrote. more people are in self-isolation, and all of us are having to practise social distancing much more rigorously. The timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic is also stretching further ahead, and so our plans to manage and live into a new normal are continuing to evolve.
You, or a neighbour, may need help because you are sick or self-quarantining, you may already be supported by neighbours and friends on the Island. The small community of the Island is a blessing few in the city can know. If you are feeling alone please call anyone in the Church community, or call me at 416 890 4578.
I am staying off the Island. The Church remains closed and social distancing renders my presence among you as more of a risk than a help. That feels "stand-off-ish", but I don't mean it like that!
There will be an order of service coming out on Sunday
IN THE DIOCESE
Bishop Andrew Asbil has recorded this video message to the people and parishes of the diocese: https://www.toronto.anglican.ca/2020/03/18/bishop-shares-video-message/
And he has written a letter outlining how the diocese is responding to the pandemic, which you can read here:
https://www.toronto.anglican.ca/2020/03/20/letter-to-the-diocese-from-bishop-andrew/
Bishop Andrew has called for a diocesan day of fasting and prayer on Thursday March 26, and our Primate, Archbishop Linda Nicholls, has called for a day of prayer on Sunday March 29.
RESOURCES FOR PRAYER
On the diocesan website there are links to many resources, including a simple form of morning and night prayers for use at home:
https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2020-03/midweek_worship_at_home_0.pdf
The Book of Alternative Services of the Anglican Church of Canada is available in its entirety here: https://www.anglican.ca/wp-content/uploads/BAS.pdf
I want you to know that I miss you - we're missing each other. But you are very much in my prayers, and our community of love and care continues to be strong even as we find new ways forward.
Again, let me stress, IF YOU NEED HELP because you are sick or self-quarantining, please let us know and we will find a way to assist you.
Someone has asked about a prayer circle. How this might work I'm not yet sure, but perhaps a group email, in which people could ask for prayer, with a short description of what they would value prayerful support in (e.g. "I'm feeling lonely and isolated. I need to know someone is listening to me." e.g. "I'm worried about my grandchildren. One is sick and the other is still OK. I'm afraid they have Covid.")
If you would like to be part of this email me and I'll set up a a group email just for those who want to be a part of this. I would expect that what people share would be kept in confidence within the group.
And now, to end, a poem by a Franciscan friar which I offer as a meditation, with thanks to Evelyn Barsby who forwarded it to me:
Lockdown
Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighbourhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting.
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way.
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality:
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul.
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again,
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing. (Br. Richard Hendrick, OFM, March 13th 2020)
God bless you and keep you.
PS. Marian's Lye's birthday on Mar 28! Happy Birthday Marian!
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When the virus threat is over, please join us for our regular Sunday service beginning at 10:30AM
click here for directions to the church In Response to the COVID-19 pandemic Canzona concerts on March 29th and April 19th have been cancelled.
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