Dear Friends,
As this time of physical distancing continues, there are all sorts of emotions to be recognized: grief for the things we miss and the way things were; tiredness from the many adaptations and changes we have experienced; the pain of distance from those we love; the ongoing anxieties and uncertainties about the future to name a few. We know that ‘reopening’ our communities is going to take time and that if not done carefully and slowly might create further risks to us all. So we pray for patience, for endurance, for strength and most of all for grace for all we need to get through this time.
May you know God’s grace this week and in all the days to come.
Pax et Bonum,
Mike
STAYING CONNECTED WITH YOUR CHURCH COMMUNITY
You can continue to connect with your church community;
by joining us on Sundays at 10am for our Diocesan Service with Bishop Susan via the Diocesan Facebook feed;
Tune into our weekly podcast is also released on Sunday, but you can use it for your bible study or reflections any time during the week.
Join Mike for Compline (Night Prayer) Monday-Friday at 8pm via our Facebook page.
Read our Email blast each Monday.
Watch a video reflection is uploaded to our Facebook and youtube channels each Tuesday.
Join us on Wednesdays at 10am for our ‘online Coffee Hour’ using Zoom (check it out at Zoom.com).
Another mailing will be sent out in the coming weeks.
COMMUNITY DINNERS
We are currently discussing how we can make our community dinners a ‘drive through’ option starting in JUNE, to support the growing number of people experiencing food insecurity at this time. There will be strict protocols in place for this and kitchen volunteers will be limited and assigned times and tasks. We are working with the ADC to see if other churches are in a position to work with us on this model and we are being guided by our Diocese. Please contact Nora Clevenger if you
Might be willing to be a volunteer in the kitchen.
Might be willing to provide baking.
Could make a financial donation towards costs.
FINANCES
A huge thank you to everyone who has responded so generously to our recent appeal. In these difficult times where there is great financial uncertainty, so many people have given with open hearts and hands to help support the church finances. A thanks also to those who have moved their giving to P.A.P- this method of giving creates reliable cash flow so we can meet regular expenses.
Please note that the Parish has submitted the required figures to apply for emergency relief from the government; these are processed through the Diocese and we should know in the coming days what aid we can expect. We are deeply grateful to Carolyn Heir our parish bookeeper and Jody Beck, our Diocesan Treasurer for their work on this.
For those interested, the most recent financials show our giving at Saint James has dropped by 24% and our investments, held by the Diocese show a drop of about 10%.
R.I.P. Rev. Canon Thomas Crawford The Reverend Canon Thomas Crawford was a former Rector of Saint James Church.
The Reverend Canon Thomas Crawford died on May 4. Canon Crawford ministered in Niagara in several parishes prior to moving to Brandon, Manitoba. He served as assistant curate at Christ's Church Cathedral; rector of St. Columba, St. Catharines; St. James, Port Colborne; St. Christopher's, Burlington; and St. James, Dundas. He retired from full time ministry in the Diocese of Toronto in 1994. Please remember the bereaved family in your thoughts and prayers.
R.I.P. Don Pfeffer
As you know, Don Pfeffer died two weeks ago. If you would like to share a message of condolence with Don’s Family, please visit the funeral home website:
PODCAST
Each week, Mike produces a podcast- a 10 minute time of hearing the Gospel reading of the week, with a reflection. This week’s podcast can be heard from the front page of our church website or via soundcloud, clicking the link below:
ONLINE COFFEE HOUR
This Wednesday 13th May, 10am-11am we’ll host an online ‘Coffee Hour’. To take part in this you’ll need to sign into ZOOM which is a conferencing software. Go to http://zoom.com/ . You can click ‘Join a Meeting’ in the top right hand corner and enter the meeting number and password, or simply click on the link below.
For those unused to using this software, a few notes;
Only one person can speak at a time, so the host (Mike) will invite you to speak.
It is considered polite to ‘mute’ your microphone when you are not speaking or background noise from your home can confuse those listening.
There are different ways to ‘view’ the meeting – by clicking ‘gallery view’ when you join the meeting you can see everyone present.
It is very different to meeting in person so be prepared to be patient the first time you use this and we get used to this way of meeting.
If you have technical questions about using Zoom please contact Bob Morrow.
PLEASE USE YOUR REAL NAME so we know who is joining each meeting.
Here are the details you need:
Topic: SAINT JAMES ONLINE COFFEE HOUR
10am Wendesday 13th May 2020
To join Zoom Meeting, click here:
Meeting ID: 826 0575 7834
Password: 041856
FROM THE DIOCESE: DIOCESAN PANDEMIC RESPONSE FUND
Many of you have been asking how you can support people in crisis during the pandemic. It is natural, in a time like this, to seek out ways to engage in generosity. Thank you for asking.
To financially support individuals and families who need it most Bishop Susan Bell has set up the Diocese of Niagara Pandemic Response Fund. Your tax receipted donation to this Fund will ease hunger and support the most vulnerable, those isolated and immunocompromised, and those struggling financially due to layoffs and cutbacks. Your contribution will go to an outreach ministry of one of the many parishes and affiliated ministries the Diocese of Niagara that are providing free pre-made lunches or dinners or bags of groceries. The meals and groceries are offered for both pick-up and free delivery. Some parishes are doing this work on their own, while others have partnered with local community organizations, other churches, individual volunteers, and restaurants in their area.
Thank you for your generosity. It is because of your generosity we can see lives transformed in Christ. It is your gift that eases hunger and provides comfort to individuals and families through the outreach projects and ministries that several of our parishes are engaged in. Thank you in advance for your support.
To donate go to: https://niagaraanglican.ca/donate-pandemic
