Parish Re-Entry
On September 5th, 2021 our parish re-opened.
A letter from the Rector of the Church of St Peter and St Simon-the-Apostle
Pastoral Letter – August 2021
Dear Parishioners and Friends of St Peter and St Simon-the-Apostle,
Do you remember Back to Church Sunday? It was the initiative in Toronto and many other dioceses to welcome people back after the summer break. Parishes worked hard to come up with creative ideas to be welcoming, especially to newcomers. How long ago that now seems, especially as we have been making our way through the pandemic. For most parishioners, it has not been possible to come into the Church building for many months and in some cases well over a year – much more than a summer hiatus. While we are blessed to have a successful live-stream ministry, it is surely not the same as worshipping in person. This is soon to change.
I am pleased to inform you that we will be resuming in-person worship on Sunday, September 5th at 10.30 am. The Wednesday Eucharist at 11 am will also continue.
With the support of the Health and Safety Committee we are working hard to prepare for our safe return. Our parish along with parishes across the diocese is committed to observing the careful protocols that are in place. It is important for me to affirm that the safest way for anyone attending Church services is to be doubly vaccinated if you are eligible. Like many of you, I was fully vaccinated earlier in the summer, something I did willingly not just for my sake but for the sake of others. For those who do not feel that in-person worship is possible at this time, we understand fully and will continue to offer our live-stream ministry.
Please note the following protocols that are in place:
- Masks must be always worn.
- You will check-in at the welcome station where you will do a self-assessment/symptom check.
- People will be signed in for contact tracing.
- Physical distancing will be always observed.
- Service bulletins will be made available and not shared beyond those in your bubble.
- There will be no congregational singing at this time.
- The Peace will be exchanged verbally only.
- Holy Communion will be administered in one kind only (bread) while standing at the front of the Church. At the direction of the sides-people you will be invited to proceed to the communion station via the centre aisle. The bread will be placed in your hand you will step aside, remove your mask, and consume the bread. Your mask will be re-applied, and your hands will be sanitised. You will proceed to your place down the side aisle.
- At the end of the service, we are encouraged to exit the Church efficiently without lingering.
- There will be no coffee hour at this time.
This difficult and isolating time has made us realise the importance of our corporate worship and community life. While we may not be in the position to sing lustily together a festive Te-Deum, the fact that we are able to come back to Church in-person is a great joy in itself – to pray together, to hear the Word of God proclaimed and to receive the Blessed Sacrament is a gift of grace that always strengthens and sustains us.
I hope this summer has been a time of rest and refreshment. We look forward to welcoming many of you back to Church in the coming weeks. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Yours faithfully,
The Reverend Canon Geoffrey Sangwine
Rector
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O GOD, the protector of all that trust in thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy:
Increase and multiply upon us thy mercy; that, thou being our ruler and guide,
we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal.
Grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake our Lord. Amen.
Collect for the Fourth Sunday after Trinity – BCP p. 223
Almighty and everlasting God, the comfort of the sad and the strength of those who suffer;
hear the prayers of your people who are in any trouble.
Grant to everyone in distress mercy, relief and refreshment; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Occasional Prayers – BAS p. 682