Parish Newsletter

“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was built up, and walking in the feat of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit it was multiplied.”

Acts 9: 31

Dear Friends,

I am dividing this newsletter into three sections – regular parish ministries, special notices, and Sunday worship.

Regular Parish Ministries

It goes without saying that whenever we are at St. Brice’s, we need to practice good hygiene,  to minimize any risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus in the community. For groups which are using the parish hall or the church building during the week, this means:

• Seeing that the hand sanitizer bottles are available (these are in the hall, narthex and office)
• Offering masks if they are needed (these are in the office)
• Keeping track of who has come to a gathering – their names and phone numbers. These forms are in the tan binder in the outer office
• Cleaning the surfaces which are used. There is “Mr. Clean” and other cleaning products under the sinks in the kitchen. Please wipe down door knobs, light switches, the railing to the hall (or the railings to the Reading Room when used), and table surfaces. Please clean the bathroom(s) if used.

Most ministries are continuing, but in a different format:

Quilters

This will begin again on September 14.

Tuesday Lunches

Their monthly sale will be this coming Tuesday, September 1, between 11am and 1pm. The meals which have been ordered this month are being home-delivered.(1)

(1) Incidentally, the menu for 6 October 2020 deliver is ready, and offers include Lasagna, Meat Loaf, Roasted Chicken and fresh Perogies. This is a ministry intended particularly for people who are shut-in or otherwise can benefit from meal support. Please email frozenmeals1234@gmail.com for more information.

Tues. Evening Bible Study

We have been meeting on-line, and expect that we will either continue to meet on-line, or a combination of on-line and in-person gatherings. At this time, we are finishing the Letter of James. No experience necessary to join!

Food Bank

This ministry has continued throughout the pandemic, but clients are being met in the narthex rather than being invited into the hall for coffee.

Teen Lunch Program

The volunteers are meeting this coming Friday morning. We anticipate that this ministry will either be suspended or offered in a different format this fall.

Men’s Breakfast

We have the speaker from the Ontario Provincial Police lined up for the presentation on “fraud,” but this ministry is on hold until the regulations around kitchen use are loosened.

A.C.W.

The next Anglican Church Women gathering is slated for September 16 at noon.

Please note – this is not just for A.C.W. members, but everyone – the A.C.W. is a key way we support missions at St. Brice’s. Their spring fund-raiser had to be cancelled, and it seems unlikely that they will have their fall fund-raiser. Because so many of us have been blessed with good health, donations from funeral receptions at St. Brice’s have been very rare last year and this year.

I hope that the parish as a whole will rally with some initiative to support missions this year. If you have an inspiration, please contact the parish office.

Messy Church

Material will be delivered to homes rather than gathering at St. Brice’s to worship, do crafts, and eat. The deliveries will be on the weekend of 18 September.

Games Night

Bearing in mind good practices during the pandemic, the regular games nights will resume on September 19, 7pm.

Services at Seniors’ Homes

St. Brice’s is responsible for providing ministry at Cassellholme, Empire and Barclay House. The provision of Holy Communion at these facilities are on hold until further notice. However, please note the “Alpha” notice below.

Special Notices

Alpha Course

The Alpha Course is a light-hearted introduction to, or review of, Christianity. Many long-time church members have taken the course and have been blessed. It’s not just for church folk, though. Skeptics, atheists or the spiritually confused are sincerely welcome, and are encouraged to check it out.

If you’ve never taken the Alpha Course, or took it so long ago you don’t quite remember when, please try out the opening gathering. I encourage you also to invite anyone you know who you think would benefit, to come along. (Invitees are more likely to say “yes” if they know you’re attending too – then they will know at least one person.)

The format in the past has been gathering for a meal, watching a video and then talking about it afterwards. Each week for about 10 weeks has a different topic.

This past spring at St. Brice’s, we offered the Alpha Course on-line. People in their living rooms connected to others through their phones or computers and internet connections. The gatherings did not include meals, and so were shorter in length (about 75 minutes

together each time), and we “met” twice a week. It turned out to be much easier to offer the course on-line. We didn’t have to prepare weekly meals. It was easier for people to join, and easier for people to leave if they wanted.

I was dubious about offering Alpha on-line before this past spring, but was very pleased with how it went.

I would like to see an on-line Alpha Course offered again at St. Brice’s this fall, and have approached a couple of people to pray if they might like to lead or help lead the course. If you would be interested in attending or helping on the course, please leave a message at the parish office. The topics are:

Is there more to life than this?

Who is Jesus?

Why did Jesus die?

How can I have faith?

Why and how should I pray?

Why and how should I read the Bible?

How does God guide us?

About halfway through the course, guests are invited to gather for part of a Saturday, to learn more about the person and work of God the Holy Spirit:

Introduction to the weekend.

Who is the Holy Spirit?

What does the Holy Spirit do?

How can I be filled with the Holy Spirit?

How can I make the most of the rest of my life?

Then:

How can I resist evil?

Why and how should I tell others?

Does God heal today?

What about the Church?

I know that a resident at one of the seniors homes is interested in participating in the Alpha Course, and would like to invite other residents to participate as well. This seems to me to be a nudge from the Lord.

The Parenting Children Course

The Parenting Children Course is a short (6 or 7 sessions of 60-75 minutes each) course for parents, which I think would be helpful to offer at St. Brice’s. Although the course was created by a Christian couple, Nicky & Sila Lee, one does not have to be a person of faith to benefit from the course. The format is video and then discussion. It, too, can be offered on-line.

As well as participants, I hope that someone might offer to host the course. The most suitable host would be quietly prayerful, have adult children (one who can say “I’ve been there and it’s okay!”), is non-judgemental, and has a basic knowledge of how to use a computer. Please prayerfully consider if you might offer yourself for this ministry.

Diocesan Layreaders Conference

All laity will be welcome to participate in the on-line layreaders conference, which will be held the last weekend in September. Here are highlights of the proposed schedule:

Friday Evening

7:00PM          Archbishop Anne Germond

7:30 PM          Judy Paulsen, “Responding to the Gospel”

Saturday

9:30                On-line Worship

10:00               Jay Koyle: “Discerning One’s Gifts, then Break

11:15               Workshops:

1. 1. 1. “Funerals & Pastoral Care” Ven. Marie Loewen
      2. “Prayer” Archbishop Anne Germond

12:00               Mid-Day Prayer & Lunch break

1:30                 Workshops:

1. 1. 1. “Morning Prayer Liturgy” Ven. Glen Miller
      2. “Preaching” Ven. Kelly Baetz

2:15                Closing

Please register by September 8, at carrieg2626@hotmail.com , or by leaving a message at the parish office. If you would like to participate but are uncertain about how to participate on-line, please register promptly to participate in the coaching.

Bike for Bibles

“Bike for Bibles” is a fund-raiser for the Canadian Bible Society. A hearty group of cyclists, which included St. Brice’s parishioners, cycled to Callander and back in rainy weather this morning (Saturday, August 29). For more information, please see: bike4bibles.ca. If you want to sponsor someone for a good cause, it’s not too late. Please contact the parish office, or go to:

https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?SID=12694004&LangPref=en-CA&EID=309043

Cursillo

Many of us are familiar with the retreat/ short course called “Cursillo,” which is frequently offered here in this deanery. The co-ed Cursillo which had been planned for the end of October of this year, has been put off for now. Please stay tuned.

I want to express my gratitude to the executive, the Secretariat, for their on-going faithful work, and for those who host the faith-filled “Ultreyas” evenings every month or two throughout the year.

Confirmation

If one of these applies to you, then participating in Confirmation classes may be for you:

• I was baptized when I was little, and just sort of joined the Church, but never really went through a learning time since Sunday School
• I used to be associated with another Christian denomination, but have been going to St. Brice’s for a while
• I’d like to learn more about the basics of being a Christian, and why we do what we do at St. Brice’s – what is the Anglican expression of Christianity about?
• I drifted away from God for a while, but feel spiritually renewed, and want to acknowledge that somehow
• I don’t think I was confirmed before.

Confirmation is a service led by Archbishop Anne, which is expected to take place in the Deanery in early 2021. There are 3 parts to this worship service: First, where individually and together we commit ourselves as followers of Jesus Christ, using the Apostles Creed and our assent to the Christian faith; second, candidates are prayed for, for the gift of the Holy Spirit to be further at work in their life (or, if candidates have been previously confirmed, they are welcomed into the Anglican expression of Christianity. Third, we share communion together.

It’s customary to have classes to learn more about following Jesus Christ in his Church, before services of Confirmation. I’m going to be holding two gatherings – one for youth, and one for adults. If you would like to participate, or would like to learn more, please contact the parish office.

Two Ways To Support the Tuesday Lunches

Turkeys will be on the menu for November 2020 for the Tuesday lunches. So, the turkeys need to be cooked in October. It takes some time to cook them, which means the ovens are in use for a while. This would keep the volunteers waiting for a long time if all the cooking was done on the same day. (They need to be cooked on-site.) If you’re willing to cook a turkey while you’re around the property for a few hours, basting it occasionally (and using good cooking practices), please leave a message at the parish office, or with one of the volunteers.

As well, Krista Geden is looking for one or two more volunteers, who are responsible only for packing the orders for delivery, before the first Tuesday of the month. This takes up to 90 minutes.

Spiritual Direction

On August 15, I passed on a message from Pat Carriere, who has recently finished her course in spiritual direction. I asked Pat to explain more about what “spiritual direction” is, for parishioners who might not know. Pat writes:

What is Spiritual Direction?

Spiritual Direction is like a midwife or spiritual companion for spiritual formation.

It is the work of the Holy Spirit where the seeker and director together listen for direction, revelation, encouragement.

A sacred space to share about one’s spiritual journey and together listen for the leading, guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The opportunity to grow in intimacy with God and learn who we are as the beloved child.  The safe space provides confidentiality and accountability for the seeker.  Spiritual Direction is an old practice and although many still do not know or understand the purpose, need or benefit, it can become one of the most valued commitments or undertaking in one’s journey.

I am a spiritual companion who will journey with you on your faith walk.  Together we will listen and look for the presence of the Holy Spirit.  It’s a safe space for accountability and confidentiality.

If you would like to learn more about, or try, spiritual direction, please get in touch with Pat, or leave a message at the parish office.

Housing Needed

Sepideh Ghods-Marhaidari is looking for temporary accommodation next month. She wrote:

Can you announce among our friends in St. Brice’s if there is someone who can let me stay with them for two weeks? I need a place to stay from September 13th for two weeks. One week I will have Leyli (turning age 7) with me. We will not move in. We just need a place to sleep and use their internet in order to do my placement and study at Nipissing. We are quiet and I will keep the room clean. I will also pay $250 for the two weeks. I am wondering if someone is willing to accommodate us. Thank you. My parents (from Iran) are coming and I am giving them my home. They need to be in quarantine for 14 days.

If you can help Sepi out, please contact her or the parish office.

Reading Room Books Upstairs

I want to remind people that there are a lot of great resources in the Reading Room. If you don’t want to go downstairs, there is a small selection which can be borrowed, on the shelf above the telephone in the parish hall.

Sunday Worship

August 30

Tomorrow, August 30, we are planning outdoor Services of the Word at 9am and 11am, particularly for parishioners whose last names begin with M through to Z. The weather forecast as this is being written is unsettled. I am hoping for the best!

God willing, we will be meeting in the back garden. Please enter through the alley between King St. and Victoria St. Although some chairs will be provided, please feel free to bring a lawn chair to be comfortable. To be on the safe side, you might want to bring an umbrella (or, a lawn chair and an umbrella!).

September 6, 13, 20, 27

These Sunday services will be in St. Brice’s Church building, at 9am, 11am, and 4pm. The morning services will be Holy Communion (but not using the common cup). The 4pm service will be Evening Prayer.

Unless they’re members of our household, we cannot sit close to one another. The tops of the pews and the seats are marked with green painters tape. Some places are for one person; some places are for two people. Please choose a location which works for you.

Members of the Spiritual Development Committee have suggested that, if we have a purse, that it be kept at home or in a car.

We will not be handing out, and taking back, hymn books and prayer books. You’re welcome to borrow a prayer book until after Christmas, if you like. Please speak to a sidesperson for more information. The words for the 11am services will be displayed on the screen. We are considering this for the 9am services as well. (If you’d like to help project the 9am services, please contact the parish office.)

Cleaning

St. Brice’s is being cleaned more, and warden Deb Young has been approaching people to help. Here are the tasks which need to be done, after each Sunday service:

• Cleaning door handles, light switches, and all high-touch areas
• Wiping the pews which are used
• Cleaning the bathroom(s) which are used.

There are a number of volunteers at St. Brice’s who work hard in several jobs.

• If you’re already working at capacity, we don’t want to burden you, and hope you will graciously refuse.
• There are others who are not in a position to help right now, because of health or other reasons. We hope you will graciously refuse too.
• There are others, though, who can help, and we hope you will. It doesn’t take long (I’m taking my turn too), and the more people who volunteer, the more the work is spread out for everyone.

It’s been a little disheartening for Deb, when she’s left messages for people to get in touch with her, and there are some who have ignored her message(s). Please reply if you are contacted, or can volunteer. Of course, we hope that a few folks will say “yes,” but even if the answer is “no,” then at least we aren’t left guessing.

Mask Decorating

We’re having a friendly mask-decorating competition – one for home-made cloth masks, and one for the other kind. (Courtesy of a parishioner, there are some items available in the office with which we can decorate our masks. More information is with the decorations.) Voting will take place September 20. People can vote by putting change next to the picture of the mask they like the best. Proceeds will go to the Primate’s World Relief & Development Fund.

Video Recording of Sunday Services

The weekly on-line Deanery services, which are all available on the St. Brice’s website (under the “Short Services of the Word” tab), will be concluding on September 6. At this time, there are no plans to offer more regional services on-line.

We know there are some people who are keen to come back, while others are more cautious, and do not want to come in the Church building on a Sunday morning at this time. We want to provide care to everyone. So, we are making plans to video-record Sunday services at St. Brice’s, starting in September.

This is all new to us, and we are working through this carefully. We have discussed whether to pre-record services at a separate time, or to record on Sunday morning. We have decided to record on Sunday mornings. These services will not be “live-streamed;” there will be a period of time between when the service is recorded, and when it can be viewed at home on a computer. Thanks to Tara King, St. Brice’s now has a youtube channel.

Some churches put on very classy (and expensive) video productions on their websites, with multiple cameras, sound editing, and so forth. Their intention is partly to attract newcomers to come to their local church by viewing the amazing video production. We aren’t trying to do that. (We would like new people to come to St. Brice’s, but want them to be invited in person by people like you!) We are aiming for clear video and audible audio, for the benefit of parishioners not attending in person.

Most of us do not have experience in video recording. If you have some experience in this field, or are willing to learn, please contact the parish office. We’re starting from scratch, and would be very pleased to hear from people.

Conclusion

We’ve been working hard to keep communicating with people during the pandemic, through telephoning, emailing, and hand-delivering newsletters to some parishioners. We hope to move more to an in-person format (it’s pretty time-consuming to put these newsletters together).

We know there are some people who are unable to attend on Sundays — for their own health, because they are close to someone who is vulnerable, or for other reasons — and we want to provide ministry to you as best we can.

We know there are some people who will be attending in person.

We also know there are some parishioners who would sort of like to come, but are uneasy about coming together, wondering if it’s safe. I do not want to pressure anyone, but I do want to encourage you to come together for worship. While it is impossible to reduce any risk to absolute zero, the combination of masks and shields, social distancing, cleaning processes, etc., make the health risk of coming to St. Brice’s very low indeed.

What if we’re fearful? If I may write so, gently and in love, we need to be aware that fear about coming together isn’t a health issue. If we’re fearful, that is a spiritual issue. And it’s a spiritual issue which the Lord Jesus spoke into to his disciples on a number of occasions. (They must have been good worriers, as we can be!) Jesus Christ wants us to have peace by his Spirit.

I want to conclude with some words of Jesus, spoken shortly before his own death:

‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.’ (John 14: 25-27)

God bless you all, in Christ’s love,

Peter Armstrong