Parish Letter

Dear Parishioners,

I hope you are all well

I’m writing about upcoming worship services at St. Brice’s. As most of us are aware, the provincial government announced today a province-wide shut-down, with the aim of controlling the spread of the COVID-19. As well, later this afternoon, Archbishop Anne Germond sent a message to the clergy about parish closures. Archbishop Anne’s message can be found on-line at:

Pastoral Letter from Archbishop Anne Germond

What are the implications for St. Brice’s?

There will be no regular Sunday morning services, beginning this coming Sunday, December 27, until Sunday, January 24.

What about Christmas services?

Archbishop Anne encourages, but has not required, that parishioners view Christmas services on-line. The wardens and I prayed and spoke together about this, earlier this evening. As well, I’ve consulted with members of the Band, and Billi Onley-Lewis. We plan to produce two on-line Christmas services – one traditional, one contemporary. I expect these will become available on-line on Christmas Eve, at the following link: Online Services

I encourage you to view them, and I hope they will be a blessing to you. The intention in offering on-line worship is not to decrease the privilege of worship, but to help protect our health.

We also acknowledge that there will be parishioners whose needs cannot met by on-line worship —  obviously, those who do not have access to the internet can’t go to the webpage. So, after some consideration, we have decided to make the Church building available for worship services we had already planned (2pm, 7pm, 9:30pm on Christmas Eve; 11am on Christmas Day). Of course, the cleaning protocols and the hygiene practices for whoever gathers still apply. The intention in making several services available is not to go against the spirit of good health practices, but to promote them – the fewer people who gather together at once, the better.

What about on-line services from 3-17 January 2021?

I haven’t yet spoken to my colleagues about this. If there are not Deanery-wide on-line services, then St. Brice’s will offer something.

What about pastoral care?

My commitment to you to provide the very best pastoral care that I can is unwavering – perhaps especially so at this time. I will do my best to reach out to you. I encourage us all to show our care to one another – not just to fellow parishioners, but to neighbours. God gave his Son for all people.

Can the Christmas Story show us anything about this time?

I believe it can. Mary and Joseph were certainly physically isolated from friends and family at the time of Jesus’ birth. No doubt it was a strange and confusing time. But it was exactly at this time that God’s redemption of the world began a wonderful new chapter, with the Incarnation of Jesus. God’s amazing love and mercy do not change. One day in the not-too-distant future, the pandemic will be over. God’s purposes through his Church continue. Thanks be to God.

Advent blessings,

Peter Armstrong