A couple of new notes today.
Extension of Emergency Measures
On Tuesday, the Government of Ontario extended the Emergency Measures until May 12:
https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/04/ontario-extends-declaration-of-emergency-to-continue-the-fight-against-covid-19.html
Church Calendar
With the extension, we have updated the online Church Calendar to list all the events that are available online. Some of it is very creative. It includes:
*A zoom parenting workshop that was organized by Sarah, and regular Friday night zooming Youth Fellowships.
*Zooming Sunday School every Sunday at 10 am, led by Leila and the teachers, with Rob and U3ia in harmony on Easter.
*A Good Friday service in Tamil, with five guest preachers - from around the world! - along with regular online Sunday services.
*Regular Bible studies and prayer meetings in Chinese organized by Pastor Andrew and Kevin Zhang.
*The regular Friday Night Small Group and Bible Study.
*Our zooming secretary hard at it at home.
*Attendance at Morning Prayer is up.
*And the clergy are learning how to preach zooming good sermons.
We’ve listed as much of it as we can on our Calendar, including the information about how to phone in or connect by internet.
Weekday Evening Prayer?
If there is sufficient interest, online Evening Prayer will be added, Monday to Friday, at 5.30 pm.
One reason for inquiring is that the early start for Morning Prayer has always had in mind those who are up early and off to work afterwards. Evening Prayer serves interested in observing the Daily Offices, but who cannot join us in the morning. You can pray along by phone or computer. Let me know: [email protected]
UPDATE - Letter to the Congregation - April 9, 2020
Last Thursday, a letter to the parish was sent regarding our financial standing in the midst of the Corvid-19 pandemic. The next day, we received letters from our Member of Parliament, Jean Yip, and from Rob Saffrey, Executive Director of the Diocese of Toronto, indicating that St. Paul’s is probably eligible for the Corvid-19 staff subsidies offered by the Federal Government. Our Financial Coordinator Bernie Bellis has studied this carefully, and writes:
Our initial analysis supports this strong possibility. This means a subsidy of 75% from the government for staff paid by the parish with the suggestion that the parish would cover the 25% balance. We propose proceeding on the understanding that we will receive the subsidy, and we are willing and able to satisfy the request for the additional 25%.
This is generous support from the Diocese and from the Federal Government for charities like St. Paul’s, and we will apply for this for mid-March to mid-April, with the possibility of mid-May through mid-June, making it possible for us to pay the staff in full for the time covered.
It is important to note that the situation is in a state of constant flux right now, one of the great unknowns being what we will face when and as the emergency measures are lifted. But these offers of support are a big help, and the support of the parish remains strong.
Sunday Prayers
The parish of St. Paul's is called to prayer this morning at 10.30 a.m.. A short video and handout are available for those who wish to follow along: https://stpl.ca/services.html
Sunday School every Sunday morning at 10 am
Information about how to connect is available on the Church Calendar: https://stpl.ca/events.html
Coronavirus Updates - The Bishop of Toronto, in consultation with the provincial college of
Bishops, has chosen to suspend all public worship and other gatherings in the Diocese until
further notice - www.toronto.anglican.ca. The Diocesan website provides regular updates.
Diocesan Jubilee - In light of the Covid-19 outbreak, and the large financial strain on the parishes, Bishop Andrew Asbil has announced a Jubilee:
"As a family, and in response to this time of great crisis, I can announce that the Diocese of Toronto is proclaiming a Jubilee – a time of generosity and forgiveness. For the months of April and May 2020, parishes will not be required to pay their allotment to the Diocese or to pay the costs of clergy remuneration (stipend, housing and associated benefits). It is my hope that this measure will alleviate the financial pressure that many of our parishes are under, freeing them up to carry out their ministry and to prepare for the day when their doors will open again."
Evening Prayer on Sundays via Zoom
Evening Prayer is said every Sunday at 6 pm. Information about how to connect is available on the Church Calendar: https://stpl.ca/events.html
S.P.Y. - St. Paul’s Youth - Friday Nights, 7 p.m.
Friday fellowships carry on. Information about how to connect is available on the Church Calendar: https://stpl.ca/events.html
Morning Prayer
The regular schedule of Morning Prayer according to the Book of Common Prayer meets Monday to Friday at 7.30 a.m.. All are welcome and may participate by phone, mobile or internet. It's short and simple, but a proven path and one of the gems in the Anglican tradition. We follow the Book of Common Prayer, beginning on page 6. If you want to look ahead, the lessons from the Old and New Testaments, as well as the Psalm, are taken from The Daily Office Lectionary and can be found here: https://lectionary.anglican.ca/. Information about how to connect is available on the Church Calendar: https://stpl.ca/events.html
Friday Night Bible Study - on Zoom
The Friday night Bible studies on Matthew carries on. If you'd like to join online or by regular phone or mobile, even if you haven't done so previously, you are most welcome. This week's lesson is taken from Matthew 24:1-44. It is Lesson 21 in the study guide, "Matthew for Everyone" by Tom Wright. Information about how to connect is available on the Church Calendar: https://stpl.ca/events.html
Tax Receipts - have now been mailed.
Alpha Online
Alpha Online will be offered by St. Paul’s. Watch for details.
Brother’s and Sister’s Keepers – If you are willing to be your brother’s or sister’s keeper by
being in regular contact with one or two other persons from the parish, please contact the office
or any of the clergy for more information.
Have you moved? If you have moved recently, kindly notify the office of your new address,
phone number and e-mail address. We appreciate your help.
Gifts and Offerings
The emergency measures and suspension of all church services and programs presents a large
challenge to churches and charities dependent on regular gatherings and fundraising events.
Your faithful support is as important now as it has ever been. Church Envelopes can be sent by mail. Members may wish to sign up for the Pre-Authorized Giving Program (contact the office). Or, gifts can be made online at our website through CanadaHelps here: https://stpl.ca/give.html
One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.
(Psalm 145:4)
Staying in Touch
*The clergy of St. Paul's are all in the vicinity. If any one of us can be of service, don't hesitate to call or write.
Church website: www.stpl.ca
Church phone: 416-499-1545
Church email: [email protected]
Fr. Dean Mercer: [email protected]
Rectory phone: 416-497-6352
God bless you.
Fr. Dean Mercer+
*These occasional notes have all been posted on our website blog: https://stpl.ca/blog.html