WE ARE THE CHURCH
Greetings again to our whole Saint James Church Community- we may not be meeting in person these days but we remain the church, God’s church; people of faith, who try to work out in each situation how to ‘incarnate’ God’s love in the situation we find ourselves; that is the meaning of Jesus- God become flesh- a lesson in making love incarnate and also the purpose of that great commandment to LOVE as we have been loved.
As I said in my recent letter, it may seem that these weeks are dragging on, and the cracks are beginning to show, but we hold on to our faith, we support one another with prayer and acts of love, and we look with hope to the future. There is much speculation in these days about the future of the church- when we can reopen safely, how we will celebrate the Eucharist, what it will look like while we can’t gather in large groups, what role technology will play and all these questions will work themselves out in our communities as we discover bit by bit what the new reality is and how we will fulfil God’s mission in it.
Until then we might hold onto the words of Isaiah 43.19 “behold I am doing a new thing… I will make a way in the wilderness” and be ready and willing to follow in that way.
Pax et Bonum,
Mike
READING THE BIBLE:
Starting this week, each email blast will list daily readings for the week for those who want to take some time each day to reflect on the scriptures. The suggested readings are the Gospel reading appointed in the daily lectionary for the celebration of the Eucharist. This week:
Monday 18th John 15.26-16.4
Tuesday 19th Matthew 6.25-33
Wednesday 20th John 6.25-35
Thursday 21st Luke 24.44-53
Friday 22nd John 16.20-24
Saturday 23rd John 16.23-28
CHURCH ONLINE
Do you have the ability to record yourself reading scripture or prayers on a webcam or phone camera and to get that file to Mike via a cloud? I’d love to be able to feature many voices in forthcoming videos and podcasts; please email Mike to let him know if you are able and willing to help.
SAINT MATTHEWS HOUSE NEEDS OUR HELP
This coming Saturday 23rd May there is a special food drive to support Saint Matthew’s House. From 1pm-4pm volunteers are accepting curbside donations at Saint John’s Church on Locke Street. Financial Donations are also accepted. If you are able to drive by and drop off a food donation, it would make a real difference to the many, many isolated seniors Saint Matthew’s is supporting through this time of Pandemic.
You can find more information here:
https://www.rockonlocke.ca/events/food-drive-supporting-vulnerable-seniors/2020-05-23
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.
FINANCIAL NOTE:
The application of the diocese for relief towards our wages was submitted to the government and approved for March. We are waiting to hear from the Diocese to what extent we have been subsidized. The April application is being prepared.
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:
https://soundcloud.com/saint-james-455444660/podcast-easter-6-john-1415-21-may-17th
ONLINE COFFEE HOUR
This Wednesday 20th 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 otherwise 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 Zoom 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 Wednesday 13th May 2020
To join Zoom Meeting, click here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82605757834?pwd=OGFmdmh0TVlzc3c2bUVkUVdYSkVsUT09
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
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 week.
EMAIL REMINDER Please remember that the church email has changed to stjamedundas@outlook.com
If you have not updated your address book, please do so now. Thank you!
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