Back to Church: “The Peaceful Weapons of Charity and Prayer”
St. Paul, L’Amoreaux, September 26, 2021
 
On what is ordinarily our “Back to Church Sunday,” I offer these humble reflections, rising from St. Paul’s call to endure in a time of persecution, and from the astonishing act of our Lord:  “You are the body of Christ” (1 Cor. 12:27), “temples of the Lord” (Eph. 2.21), heirs of God’s great work begun in Israel:  “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people.” (1 Peter 2:9)

It is important to be prepared for the trials that will come.  And through the trials to remember who we are.  “Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people.” (1 Peter 2:10)

So in a season of discouragement and decline, here are seven things I see and offer.

First, the good seed of the Gospel makes us members of Christ, his bride in the world, his body alive and active, whose universal society anticipates the destiny of the world.
As Bishop Charles Chaput writes, faith in Christ and the future of the Church are one and the same:
. . . why do we need the Church? We need the Church because Jesus Christ founded her to be his witness, and to continue his work in the world. We need the Church because she's the living body of Christ in human affairs. She's our mother and teacher in what it really means to be a Christian . . . she's the living memory of our redemption, our identity, and our purpose in whatever time God gives us.1

The Church belongs to Jesus Christ. She is his body.  He will keep his promises.

Secondly, the future of the church must not be confused with the future of individual denominations.  The signs are not hopeful where denominations have drunk too deeply from the secular faith of our time.2  They fail because they lose their critical distance from the nation, unable to distinguish the goals of the state from the goals of the Kingdom, to be harshly and rightly judged when the state shows itself to be wrong and inhuman.  Even in the short-term, such churches fail because they become redundant, a pale imitation of the political parties they imitate.

And yet, as the prophet Jeremiah assured Israel at the onset of its occupation and exile, the Lord remains faithful.

In 2020, New York Times columnist Ross Douthart wrote The Decadent Society.  Its focus is not personal indulgence so much as about exhaustion in modern society.  In it he reminds his readers about what G. K. Chesterton called the “five deaths” of the church:  the fall of Rome, the challenge of Islam at the time of the Crusades, the crisis of the Reformation, the crisis of the Enlightenment, and the march of Darwinism (p. 227).  As serious as those challenges were, not only did the church survive, in many ways we see now how it matured and grew.

Thirdly, a question.  Is the church’s historic teaching on sexual morality, and its insistence on the sanctity of every life the liability in western societies that so many believe it to be?

A great deal of kindness and understanding needs to envelop this subject, the kindness of our Lord himself who protected and forgave the woman caught in adultery.  Nevertheless, back to the path he pointed her.  Similarly, this is a humble finger, that seeks to do no more than point to that path.  For these reasons.

First, both Christian freedom and identity need an anchor.

Christian freedom is not the freedom to do whatever we want.  It is, by grace, the freedom to offer our lives to Christ so that he might live through us to the glory of God and for the sake of the world he loves.

In similar fashion, Christian identity is bound to Christ (1 Cor. 6.19) and is not whatever identity we discover within ourselves.  This is the slippery slope down which the modern transhuman movement leads.

One of the reasons for the alarming increase in mental illness is to be told that we are whatever we wish, free to mold and re-mold ourselves each day.3  That is a “monstrous” freedom, Benedict says.4  Our identity needs an anchor and the Church invites people to union with Jesus Christ, with utter confidence about the road down which he will lead every person.  Our identity is in Christ and for Christ (Phil. 2.5-11).

Secondly, the historic teaching on marriage is modest.  Which is one of the reasons that we speak modestly.  Even by our language, we protect and cherish what is tender and precious.

But it is modest in another sense because we are not to make of it more than we should.  The intimate act has a purpose, rising from the objective differences between male and female, known across the generations in families where children are raised, formed and protected.  Within these tested boundaries, its joys and tears have proven to be among the most precious in life.

It is modest in this sense because the church teaches immodestly - with all its heart and strength - that the greatest good in life is union with Christ.  We are taught and shown that fellowship within his body, and service in his footsteps is the highest calling of every person.  By grace, all share in the gifts of God and its responsibilities.  For every Christian is the fellowship of the church to which all are called, the outpost of the kingdom and the true destiny of every Christian united to Christ.

It may seem counterintuitive to say this, but in an unbalanced and hyper-sexualized society like our own, this modesty, purpose and self-control shines brighter with each passing day - especially among young people.  In the church’s eye, nothing less than the glory of God shimmers within.

Fourthly, no other institution has the advantage and opportunity of the church as well as the proven capacity for self-reflection and reform.  Bound to Christ we are bound to the truth, wherever the light may shine.  The Prayerbook collect “For the Church” gets it right.  Where the church “is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where any thing is amiss, reform it; where it is right, strengthen and confirm it; where it is in want, furnish it; where it is divided and rent asunder, make it whole again.”

And so, a little exercise the next time you hear someone writing off the church.  What is the alternative in mind?

Right now in Canada there’s enormous - but entirely unfounded - confidence that life can be lived as if there is no god.  But if we depend on our citizens to respect each other’s dignity and humanity but scorn the reasons for dignity and humanity itself, if all our grandest cathedrals are monuments to money and competition - the business towers and sports stadiums we proudly erect - ours is the foundation for an inhuman, dog-eat-dog world.  

Ask yourself - how is it a cultural achievement to abort and euthanize with ease and flee reality through hallucinatory drugs?  It looks more like a people who have lost the hope and will to live.

By contrast, the Christian Gospel holds in creative tension both the uniqueness of every life, weak and strong, and, by implication, the glorious variety of sex, race and nation, under One God, to whom all are accountable, to whom all will one day be united in harmony, righteousness and peace.

Every life matters.  Every prayer is heard.

But all lives matter and God’s ambition is nothing less than the peace of the world.

And at the centre of the universe is not a nameless, faceless fury of power, but rather the love of God, revealed in Jesus Christ.

Fifthly, while secular forces may be exerting a weakening force in Europe and North America, it is not the case in Africa and Asia where the church thrives, often as a foil to secular and technological regimes in the west.  So imagine, Douthat says, “a religious landscape remade by African and Chinese Christianities.”  (p. 228)  Is that something to fear or to welcome?  Here at St. Paul's,  where the Lord in his wisdom has gathered the world, the answer to that question is filled with hope.

Ross Douthat quotes the surprising call to arms of Cardinal Sarah of Africa:
“Christian families everywhere,” he summoned, “must be the joyful spearheads of a revolt against this new dictatorship of selfishness!”  And not “Africa alone, but also African Christians and European Christians together.”
“When will you rise,” he challenged his audience, “with the peaceful weapons of prayer and charity to defend your faith?”5

Sixthly, set aside the caricature for a moment.  What is the real relationship of Christianity to science?  Not only was the church and its schools the place where science began and grew:  “It’s also that scientific and religious experiments proceed from a similar desire for knowing, a similar belief that the universe is patterned and intelligible and that its secrets might somehow be unlocked.”6  For all that science uncovers, ours is the duty to give that picture meaning and purpose.7

Finally, one mark of decadence which Douthat emphasizes is the stagnation of art.  You can tell when a society is exhausted when art starts repeating itself and when everything is measured by materialistic standards.  

In his book “Memory and Identity,” St. Pope John Paul II describes how the enrichment of culture is our sacred task of applying the truth to all things so that the creation itself is handled responsibly and shared with all.  Art reflects this truth whether it be through music, painting, architecture or sculpture.  It is a powerful force.  Using the example of his own homeland, the strength of Polish culture fortified a nation for the trials they have endured.8

Because without a strong culture - a particular danger in a relatively young country like Canada -  we risk being overwhelmed by the forces of business and materialism.  Our responsibility is to let the light of Christ shine on all creation, the One whose ambition is the peace of the world, whose calling is demanding and glorious in every generation.

As Pope Benedict puts it, the most persuasive proof of the truth of the Christian message are encounters with the saints and experience of the beauty of Christ.9

So is it still not a thrilling time to be a Christian here at St. Paul’s - where the Lord in his wisdom has gathered the world, where in simple but profound ways our reach is around the world.

With a hand extended to a refugee couple from Iran, now in Turkey, who, God-willing, will soon be reunited with their family, making a new home in Toronto.

With hands reaching across the Bridge of Hope palliative care program in northern Sri Lanka - the only one of its kind - where friends find comfort and relief for the last season of life.

With hands outstretched to an orphanage in Jamaica where children are protected and loved.

And does it not lift the spirit to hear this harmony ring from St. Paul’s?

Where a Canadian composer wrote and directed music for a Caribbean steel band composition in honor of American Martin Luther King, Jr..

Where a Chinese composer trained in Toronto wrote, performed at St. Paul’s, capturing both eastern and western themes.

Where our talented David McCartney directed a medley of Christmas Carols, writing the music for a choir and full orchestra whose members were from around the world.

In a parish whose ancestors, against the odds, rebuilt the church after it burned to the ground, whose dedication made possible the great outreach of our time of the seniors’ residence and services, where now the life-and-death courage of Sri Lankan, Chinese and African Christians fuels our prayers and our praise of God.

Where is the great adventure of our time?

Well, kick the robot to the corner and consider what the Lord has seen fit to do in our midst.

Turn off the devices for a moment and look at the vast human and spiritual frontier still to be explored.

​Shut down the computer and let us open our hearts for this glorious calling, where “the peaceful weapons of charity and prayer” are the tools to be employed, for a purpose gallant and humane, for which nothing less than the whole of our life is summoned for the glory of God and for the sake of the world he loves.
 
*****
ENDNOTES

1.Things Worth Dying For, Charles Chaput, Henry Holt and Co., 2021.
2.“The primary common denominator is theology. Those trimming faith to fit in with culture have tended to shrink, and those offering a “full-fat” faith, vividly supernatural, have tended to grow.”  https://livingchurch.org/covenant/2021/09/03/whither-the-church-of-england/
3.“The more people feel themselves adrift in a vast, impersonal, anonymous sea, the more desperately they swim toward any familiar, intelligible, protective life-raft; the more they crave a politics of identity.”  Alan Bloom, quoted by Mary Eberstadt, Primal Screams. Templeton Press.  2019.
4.“This means that man is condemned to a monstrous freedom; he must discover for himself with no norm to guide him what he will make of himself and of the world. At this point, the nature of the alternative with which we are confronted in the first article of the Creed should be growing gradually clear. The question is whether we accept reality as pure matter or as the expression of a meaning that refers to us; whether we invent values or must find them. On our answer depends the kind of freedom of which we must speak, for two completely different freedoms, two completely different fundamental attitudes toward life, are involved here.”  J. Ratzinger, Principles of Catholic Theology, p. 72.
5.The Decadent Society: How We Became the Victims of Our Own Success, by Ross Gregory Douthat Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster, 2020.
6.  Douthat.
7.The Big Question: Why We Can’t Stop Talking About Science, Faith, and God, St. Martin's Press, 2015.
8.Memory and Identity, St. Pope John Paul II, Rizzoli Press, 2005.
9.Joseph Ratzinger, On the Way to Jesus Christ.  Chapter Two - “Wounded by the Arrow of Beauty:  The Cross and the New ‘Aesthetics’ of Faith.”  San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2005.

Safety Guidelines Update - September 14
On September 14, the safety guidelines were updated. (You can read the entire letter on the Diocesan website - www.toronto.anglican.ca.) Briefly, there are three things to note:
Worship services
Everyone who is able is strongly encouraged to be vaccinated, as well to knowingly avoid putting anyone at risk. However, proof of vaccination will not be required to attend services of worship. Existing safety guidelines will remain in place (i.e., masks and distancing).
Mandatory Vaccination Policy for clergy, staff and volunteers
The Diocese is introducing a policy that, as of September 30, requires clergy, diocesan employees and volunteers, and parish employees and volunteers to show proof of being vaccinated with two doses of a vaccine or combination of vaccines approved by Health Canada, with the second dose having been administered at least two weeks prior to the in-person attendance. The full policy is now available on the diocesan website.
Singing
Thirdly, singing remains prohibited until there is a clearer sense of the effect of the Delta variant and of students returning to school. The Bishop indicated that more will be said about singing after Thanksgiving.
New Attendance Limit - 100 at St. Paul’s
On July 16, Ontario entered Stage Three of its re-opening plan. As a result, the Bishops now permit as many people in the church who can maintain "physical distancing of 2 metres". That is, in fact, harder to plan for because the space needed for individuals is greater than that needed for families. So to begin with, attendance at church services at St. Paul's will be limited to 100. That will be increased as we are able to do so safely. All other safety guidelines - the Amber Guidelines - remain in place: masks, distancing, no singing, etc..
We give thanks for the hopeful signs, looking forward to the day when the colour changes from Amber to Green.
Thanksgiving Food Drive for ACSA.
Through the Sunday after Thanksgiving the congregation's support is sought for the Agincourt Community Services Food Bank.  While donations can be made directly to ACSA, we recommend that they be made through St. Paul’s by using your envelopes and indicating that it is a "special" offering for "The ACSA foodbank". Doing it through St. Paul’s eliminates the commission fee for making a donation by credit card, and therefore provides a larger gift for those need.  Additionally, this contributes to the total gift from St. Paul's to ACSA.
Outreach - Fall Schedule
These are certainly interesting times. And so in keeping with interesting, the Outreach Committee invites you to join us for this year's WALK-A-THON and our special St. Paul's 180th Anniversary Weekend Concert.
The Walk-a-thon - together or on your own - began yesterday, Saturday, September 25, and Covid-style will run through Thanksgiving Sunday. The Pledge sheet is available online or at the office. We hope that you will reach out to your friends and family for sponsorships. Individual walkers are asked to walk a 6 kilometre route on your own. All forms should be returned to St. Paul's by Thanksgiving Sunday, October 10.
Secondly, mark your calendar now for a special 180th Anniversary weekend concert - online and in-person - on Saturday, November 20, at 7.00 p.m.. All donations received go to Outreach.
Roundabout Renovations
Due to renovations, access to the roundabout and the wheelchair-designated parking in front of the church is limited right now. Please plan your arrival accordingly.
Morning Prayer on Zoom - Password Added
Morning Prayer is said Monday to Saturday at 7.30 a.m.. Tuesday to Friday mornings, it is live-streamed from the church. For that reason there is now a password for those attending Morning Prayer on Zoom. Join us for prayer, Monday to Saturday morning at 7.30 a.m.:
Computer Access Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/397231088?wd=ekhBRm9XcDRmWXo5Z0Via2dyY2tpUT09
Telephone Access - (647) 374 4685, or (647) 558 0588
Meeting ID: 397 231 088; Password: 549300
Schedule
The full schedule of in-person and online services and programs can be found on the online church calendar - www.stpl.ca/calendar.html - or here: www.stpl.ca/services.html. This is the quickest and easiest way to get service and program information.
Sunday Services by Phone on Zoom
The weekly Sunday recording can be heard by phone on Zoom. (It can also be viewed on Zoom, but the quality is diminished.)
Zoom Invitation: By Phone: 647 374 4685; 647 558 0588;
Meeting ID: 854 0290 8277; Passcode: 970844
Computer link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85402908277?pwd=Q1RIdkxCZXJNTFJJek5tYWpOTzlFUT09
Ontario COVID-19 Vaccine Booking You can currently book an appointment at a mass vaccination clinic through the provincial online vaccine booking system (https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/) If you prefer to schedule an appointment by phone, call the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY 1-866-797-0007). This line is available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week. Information is available in more than 300 languages. If St. Paul’s can be of any help to you in this process, please let our office know.
New Honorary Priest at St. Paul’s
Effective December, 2021, The Rev'd Canon Kim Beard has been appointed by Bishop Robertson as honorary priest at St. Paul’s, L’Amoreaux. Canon Beard is the recently retired priest of St. Paul on the Hill, Pickering.
Mission Trip to Tanzania 2022
Our incoming honorary assistant Rev. Canon Kim Beard will be leading a work mission trip to Tanzania in 2022. A second information session will be on November 30th, at 2:00 pm. Mark your calendars.
Sunday School Every Sunday at 10.00 on Zoom
Check the church calendar for links and information: www.stpl.ca/calendar.html
S.P.Y. - St. Paul’s Youth - Friday nights at 7 pm - See you in September.
Contact Sarah for more information: [email protected].
Check the online church calendar for link information: www.stpl.ca/calendar.html.
Friday Night Bible Study - resumes this coming Friday, September 10, for Bible study and prayer, right now in a 12-week study of the letters to the Colossians and Philemon, following the Bible study guide by Bishop Tom Wright. Study guides are available online (www.amazon.ca or www.parasource.com or www.christianbook.com) or may be ordered through Fr. Dean. This Friday (September 17) will be Lesson 6: Colossians 3.18-4.1.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/830877703
Telephone: 647-374 4685, or 647-558 0588; Meeting ID: 830 877 703
Thank you for your Faithful Gifts and Offerings - St. Paul’s is a strong parish and remains strong due to everyone’s faithful support. Through the first half of the year, support has been outstanding at a time when never has it been more important. Gifts can be dropped off at the church or sent by mail. Kindly ensure that your name and envelope number is included. Or, members may wish to sign up for the Pre-Authorized Giving Program (contact the office). Members who use online banking can now make E-transfers (instructions here: www.stpl.ca/give.html). Gifts can also be made at our website through CanadaHelps: www.stpl.ca/give.html.
NOTE: Of the various means for online giving, we recommend The Pre-Authorized Giving Program. It is regular, matching the regular responsibilities of the parish, and once initiated all it takes is a phone call or e-mail to increase, decrease, or cancel the donation. The monthly amount is withdrawn on the 20th of each month, and the cost to the church is 50 cents per transaction, irrespective of the amount of the gift. This makes the PAG the most economical of all the online and electronic methods.
Contact - The clergy of St. Paul’s are all in the vicinity and visiting in homes again, abiding by diocesan safety guidelines. Don’t hesitate to call or write. Website: [http://www.stpl.ca;/]www.stpl.ca; Church phone: 416-499-1545; Email: [email protected]; Fr. Dean Mercer: [email protected]; Rectory phone: 416-497-6352.

Safety Guidelines Update - September 14
This past Wednesday, Bishop Asbil released a pastoral statement regarding the safety guidelines. (You can read the entire letter on the Diocesan website - www.toronto.anglican.ca.) Briefly, there are three things to note:
Worship services
Everyone who is able is strongly encouraged to be vaccinated, as well to knowingly avoid putting anyone at risk. However, proof of vaccination will not be required to attend services of worship. Existing safety guidelines will remain in place (i.e., masks and distancing).
Mandatory Vaccination Policy for clergy, staff and volunteers
The Diocese is introducing a policy that, as of September 30, requires clergy, diocesan employees and volunteers, and parish employees and volunteers to show proof of being vaccinated with two doses of a vaccine or combination of vaccines approved by Health Canada, with the second dose having been administered at least two weeks prior to the in-person attendance. The full policy is now available on the diocesan website.
Singing
Thirdly, singing remains prohibited until there is a clearer sense of the effect of the Delta variant and of students returning to school. The Bishop indicated that more will be said about singing after Thanksgiving.
Sunday School Online Bible Quiz - Sunday, September 19, 10.00 a.m.
Do you know how many books make up the Old Testament? Or name the 5 sections of the Old Testament? Join the St.Paul’s Sunday School on September 19 at 10.00 am for our first ever virtual bible quiz masters challenge. Watch out for reminders here. Clink the link below to join:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88335916297?pwd=a0VEZ29LYTJTZGloZ2JjZ0lBa1l6UT09
We look forward to seeing you all.
NOTE: To get an idea of how many children will be attending, we request parents to complete a registration form, using the following link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1HQ_Z2xW47mBVMNXn9_DgSNeJACiCAMR3o1Vw8pTXSjA/edit?usp=sharing.
New Attendance Limit - 100 at St. Paul’s
On Friday (July 16, 2021) Ontario entered Stage Three of its re-opening plan. As a result, the Bishops now permit as many people in the church who can maintain "physical distancing of 2 metres". That is, in fact, harder to plan for because the space needed for individuals is greater than that needed for families. So to begin with, attendance at church services at St. Paul's will be limited to 100. That will be increased as we are able to do so safely. All other safety guidelines - the Amber Guidelines - remain in place: masks, distancing, no singing, etc..
We give thanks for the hopeful signs, looking forward to the day when the colour changes from Amber to Green.
Outreach - Fall Schedule
These are certainly interesting times. And so in keeping with interesting, the Outreach Committee invites you to join us for this year's WALK-A-THON and our special St. Paul's 180th Anniversary Weekend Concert.
The Walk-a-thon - together or on your own - will be on Saturday, September 25, at 8.30 a.m.. The Pledge sheet is available online or at the office. We hope that you will reach out to your friends and family for sponsorship. Walkers can either join us at the church or walk a 6 kilometre route on your own. All forms should be returned to St. Paul's by Thanksgiving Sunday, October 10.
Secondly, mark your calendar now for a special 180th Anniversary weekend concert - online and in-person - on Saturday, November 20, at 7.00 p.m.. All donations received go to Outreach.
Roundabout Renovations
Due to renovations, access to the roundabout and the wheelchair-designated parking in front of the church is limited right now. Please plan your arrival accordingly.
Morning Prayer on Zoom - Password Added
Morning Prayer is said Monday to Saturday at 7.30 a.m.. Tuesday to Friday mornings, it is live-streamed from the church. For that reason there is now a password for those attending Morning Prayer on Zoom. Join us for prayer, Monday to Saturday morning at 7.30 a.m.:
Computer Access Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/397231088?wd=ekhBRm9XcDRmWXo5Z0Via2dyY2tpUT09
Telephone Access - (647) 374 4685, or (647) 558 0588
Meeting ID: 397 231 088; Password: 549300
Schedule
The full schedule of in-person and online services and programs can be found on the online church calendar - www.stpl.ca/calendar.html - or here: www.stpl.ca/services.html. This is the quickest and easiest way to get service and program information.
Sunday Services by Phone on Zoom
The weekly Sunday recording can be heard by phone on Zoom. (It can also be viewed on Zoom, but the quality is diminished.)
Zoom Invitation: By Phone: 647 374 4685; 647 558 0588;
Meeting ID: 854 0290 8277; Passcode: 970844
Computer link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85402908277?pwd=Q1RIdkxCZXJNTFJJek5tYWpOTzlFUT09
​Ontario COVID-19 Vaccine Booking You can currently book an appointment at a mass vaccination clinic through the provincial online vaccine booking system (https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/) If you prefer to schedule an appointment by phone, call the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY 1-866-797-0007). This line is available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week. Information is available in more than 300 languages. If St. Paul’s can be of any help to you in this process, please let our office know.
New Honorary Priest at St. Paul’s
Effective December, 2021, The Rev'd Canon Kim Beard has been appointed by Bishop Robertson as honorary priest at St. Paul’s, L’Amoreaux. Canon Beard is the recently retired priest of St. Paul on the Hill, Pickering.
Mission Trip to Tanzania 2022
Our incoming honorary assistant Rev. Canon Kim Beard will be leading a work mission trip to Tanzania in 2022. A second information session will be on November 30th, at 2:00 pm. Mark your calendars.
Sunday School Every Sunday at 10.00 on Zoom
Check the church calendar for links and information: www.stpl.ca/calendar.html
S.P.Y. - St. Paul’s Youth - Friday nights at 7 pm - See you in September.
Contact Sarah for more information: [email protected].
Check the online church calendar for link information: www.stpl.ca/calendar.html.
The Friday Night Bible Study on Zoom has resumed as we conclude our study of the letters to the Colossians and Philemon, following the Bible study guide by Bishop Tom Wright.  It will conclude on October 1.  Study guides are available online (www.amazon.ca or www.parasource.com or www.christianbook.com) or may be ordered through Fr. Dean. This coming Friday (September 24) will be Lesson 7: Colossians 4.2-18.  October 1 will be the final lesson of the Colossians & Philemon Series.
The next series will be a 9-week study of 1&2 Peter and Jude, on Fridays from October 15 to December 10.  There will be a one-week break over Thanksgiving weekend.
Incidentally, this will conclude a book by book study of the entire New Testament since we started in 2007.  Don’t worry.  We’ll do it again.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/830877703
Telephone: 647-374 4685, or 647-558 0588; Meeting ID: 830 877 703
Thank you for your Faithful Gifts and Offerings - St. Paul’s is a strong parish and remains strong due to everyone’s faithful support. Through the first half of the year, support has been outstanding at a time when never has it been more important. Gifts can be dropped off at the church or sent by mail. Kindly ensure that your name and envelope number is included. Or, members may wish to sign up for the Pre-Authorized Giving Program (contact the office). Members who use online banking can now make E-transfers (instructions here: www.stpl.ca/give.html). Gifts can also be made at our website through CanadaHelps: www.stpl.ca/give.html.
NOTE: Of the various means for online giving, we recommend The Pre-Authorized Giving Program. It is regular, matching the regular responsibilities of the parish, and once initiated all it takes is a phone call or e-mail to increase, decrease, or cancel the donation. The monthly amount is withdrawn on the 20th of each month, and the cost to the church is 50 cents per transaction, irrespective of the amount of the gift. This makes the PAG the most economical of all the online and electronic methods.
Contact - The clergy of St. Paul’s are all in the vicinity and visiting in homes again, abiding by diocesan safety guidelines. Don’t hesitate to call or write. Website: [http://www.stpl.ca;/]www.stpl.ca; Church phone: 416-499-1545; Email: [mailto:[email protected];][email protected]; Fr. Dean Mercer: [mailto:[email protected];][email protected]; Rectory phone: 416-497-6352.

New Attendance Limit - 100 at St. Paul’s
On Friday (July 16, 2021) Ontario entered Stage Three of its re-opening plan. As a result, the Bishops now permit as many people in the church who can maintain "physical distancing of 2 metres". That is, in fact, harder to plan for because the space needed for individuals is greater than that needed for families. So to begin with, attendance at church services at St. Paul's will be limited to 100. That will be increased as we are able to do so safely. All other safety guidelines - the Amber Guidelines - remain in place: masks, distancing, no singing, etc..
We give thanks for the many hopeful signs, looking forward to the day when the colour changes from Amber to Green.
Outreach - Fall Schedule
These are certainly interesting times. And so in keeping with interesting, the Outreach Committee invites you to join us for this year's WALK-A-THON and our special St. Paul's 180th Anniversary Weekend Concert.
The Walk-a-thon - together or on your own - will be on Saturday, September 25, at 8.30 a.m.. The Pledge sheet is available online or at the office. We hope that you will reach out to your friends and family for sponsorship. Walkers can either join us at the church or walk a 6 kilometre route on your own. All forms should be returned to St. Paul's by Thanksgiving Sunday, October 10.
Secondly, mark your calendar now for a special 180th Anniversary weekend concert - online and in-person - on Saturday, November 20, at 7.00 p.m.. All donations received go to Outreach.
Sunday School Online Bible Quiz - Sunday, September 19, 10.00 a.m.
Do you know how many books make up the Old Testament? Or name the 5 sections of the Old Testament? Join the St.Paul’s Sunday School on September 19 at 10.00 am for our first ever virtual bible quiz masters challenge. Watch out for reminders here. Clink the link below to join:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88335916297?pwd=a0VEZ29LYTJTZGloZ2JjZ0lBa1l6UT09
We look forward to seeing you all.
Roundabout Renovations
Due to renovations, access to the roundabout and the wheelchair-designated parking in front of the church is limited right now. Please plan your arrival accordingly.
Morning Prayer on Zoom - Password Added
Morning Prayer is said Monday to Saturday at 7.30 a.m.. Tuesday to Friday mornings, it is live-streamed from the church. For that reason there is now a password for those attending Morning Prayer on Zoom. Join us for prayer, Monday to Saturday morning at 7.30 a.m.:
Computer Access Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/397231088?wd=ekhBRm9XcDRmWXo5Z0Via2dyY2tpUT09
Telephone Access - (647) 374 4685, or (647) 558 0588
Meeting ID: 397 231 088; Password: 549300
Schedule
The full schedule of in-person and online services and programs can be found on the online church calendar - www.stpl.ca/calendar.html - or here: www.stpl.ca/services.html. This is the quickest and easiest way to get service and program information.
Sunday Services by Phone on Zoom
The weekly Sunday recording can be heard by phone on Zoom. (It can also be viewed on Zoom, but the quality is diminished.)
Zoom Invitation: By Phone: 647 374 4685; 647 558 0588;
Meeting ID: 854 0290 8277; Passcode: 970844
Computer link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85402908277?pwd=Q1RIdkxCZXJNTFJJek5tYWpOTzlFUT09
Ontario COVID-19 Vaccine Booking You can currently book an appointment at a mass vaccination clinic through the provincial online vaccine booking system (https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/) If you prefer to schedule an appointment by phone, call the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY 1-866-797-0007). This line is available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week. Information is available in more than 300 languages. If St. Paul’s can be of any help to you in this process, please let our office know.
New Honorary Priest at St. Paul’s
Effective December, 2021, The Rev'd Canon Kim Beard has been appointed by Bishop Robertson as honorary priest at St. Paul’s, L’Amoreaux. Canon Beard is the recently retired priest of St. Paul on the Hill, Pickering.
Mission Trip to Tanzania 2022
Our incoming honorary assistant Rev. Canon Kim Beard will be leading a work mission trip to Tanzania in 2022. A second information session will be on November 30th, at 2:00 pm. Mark your calendars.
Sunday School Every Sunday at 10.00 on Zoom
Check the church calendar for links and information: www.stpl.ca/calendar.html
S.P.Y. - St. Paul’s Youth - Friday nights at 7 pm - See you in September.
Contact Sarah for more information: [email protected].
Check the online church calendar for link information: www.stpl.ca/calendar.html.
Friday Night Bible Study - resumes this coming Friday, September 10, for Bible study and prayer, right now in a 12-week study of the letters to the Colossians and Philemon, following the Bible study guide by Bishop Tom Wright. Study guides are available online (www.amazon.ca or www.parasource.com or www.christianbook.com) or may be ordered through Fr. Dean. This Friday (September 17) will be Lesson 6: Colossians 3.18-4.1.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/830877703
Telephone: 647-374 4685, or 647-558 0588; Meeting ID: 830 877 703
Thank you for your Faithful Gifts and Offerings - St. Paul’s is a strong parish and remains strong due to everyone’s faithful support. Through the first half of the year, support has been outstanding at a time when never has it been more important. Gifts can be dropped off at the church or sent by mail. Kindly ensure that your name and envelope number is included. Or, members may wish to sign up for the Pre-Authorized Giving Program (contact the office). Members who use online banking can now make E-transfers (instructions here: www.stpl.ca/give.html). Gifts can also be made at our website through CanadaHelps: www.stpl.ca/give.html.
NOTE: Of the various means for online giving, we recommend The Pre-Authorized Giving Program. It is regular, matching the regular responsibilities of the parish, and once initiated all it takes is a phone call or e-mail to increase, decrease, or cancel the donation. The monthly amount is withdrawn on the 20th of each month, and the cost to the church is 50 cents per transaction, irrespective of the amount of the gift. This makes the PAG the most economical of all the online and electronic methods.
Contact - The clergy of St. Paul’s are all in the vicinity and visiting in homes again, abiding by diocesan safety guidelines. Don’t hesitate to call or write. Website: [http://www.stpl.ca;/]www.stpl.ca; Church phone: 416-499-1545; Email: [email protected]; Fr. Dean Mercer: [email protected]; Rectory phone: 416-497-6352.

New Attendance Limit - 100 at St. Paul’s
On Friday (July 16, 2021) Ontario entered Stage Three of its re-opening plan. As a result, the Bishops now permit as many people in the church who can maintain "physical distancing of 2 metres". That is, in fact, harder to plan for because the space needed for individuals is greater than that needed for families. So to begin with, attendance at church services at St. Paul's will be limited to 100. That will be increased as we are able to do so safely. All other safety guidelines - the Amber Guidelines - remain in place: masks, distancing, no singing, etc..
We give thanks for the many hopeful signs, looking forward to the day when the colour changes from Amber to Green.
Outreach - Fall Schedule
These are certainly interesting times. And so in keeping with interesting, the Outreach Committee invites you to join us for this year's WALK-A-THON and our special St. Paul's 180th Anniversary Weekend Concert.
The Walk-a-thon - together or on your own - will be on Saturday, September 25, at 8.30 a.m.. The Pledge sheet is available online or at the office. We hope that you will reach out to your friends and family for sponsorship. Walkers can either join us at the church or walk a 6 kilometre route on your own. All forms should be returned to St. Paul's by Thanksgiving Sunday, October 10.
Secondly, mark your calendar now for a special 180th Anniversary weekend concert - online and in-person - on Saturday, November 20, at 7.00 p.m.. All donations received go to Outreach.
Music at St. Paul’s this Fall
At 4.00 p.m. on Saturday, September 11, all interested are invited to special planning music meeting. The purpose of the meeting is threefold:
1) To find out who is interested;
2) To review practice times and what can be practiced and performed;
3) and to review performance opportunities in the liturgy and concerts. This will include a special 180th Anniversary Weekend Concert for Outreach - online and in-person - on Saturday, November 20, at 7.00 p.m..
Both string and steel pan musicians can practice and perform safely and we hope to re-start both this fall. While we’re still a ways off from the return of the youth and adult choirs, we are recruiting youth and adult singers who would perform solo and in duets, trios and quartets.
Roundabout Renovations
Due to renovations, access to the roundabout and the wheelchair-designated parking in front of the church is limited right now. Next weekend, September 12, the roundabout will be closed to cars, but a pedestrian walkway will remain open. Please plan your arrival accordingly.
Morning Prayer on Zoom - Password Added
Morning Prayer is said Monday to Saturday at 7.30 a.m.. Tuesday to Friday mornings, it is live-streamed from the church. For that reason there is now a password for those attending Morning Prayer on Zoom. Join us for prayer, Monday to Saturday morning at 7.30 a.m.:
Computer Access Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/397231088?wd=ekhBRm9XcDRmWXo5Z0Via2dyY2tpUT09
Telephone Access - (647) 374 4685, or (647) 558 0588
Meeting ID: 397 231 088
Password: 549300
Schedule
The full schedule of in-person and online services and programs can be found on the online church calendar - www.stpl.ca/calendar.html - or here: www.stpl.ca/services.html. This is the quickest and easiest way to get service and program information.
Sunday Services by Phone on Zoom
The weekly Sunday recording can be heard by phone on Zoom. (It can also be viewed on Zoom, but the quality is diminished.)
Zoom Invitation: By Phone: 647 374 4685; 647 558 0588;
Meeting ID: 854 0290 8277; Passcode: 970844
Computer link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85402908277?pwd=Q1RIdkxCZXJNTFJJek5tYWpOTzlFUT09
Ontario COVID-19 Vaccine Booking You can currently book an appointment at a mass vaccination clinic through the provincial online vaccine booking system (https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/) If you prefer to schedule an appointment by phone, call the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY 1-866-797-0007). This line is available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week. Information is available in more than 300 languages. If St. Paul’s can be of any help to you in this process, please let our office know.
New Honorary Priest at St. Paul’s
Effective December, 2021, The Rev'd Canon Kim Beard has been appointed by Bishop Robertson as honorary priest at St. Paul’s, L’Amoreaux. Canon Beard is the recently retired priest of St. Paul on the Hill, Pickering.
Mission Trip to Tanzania 2022
Our incoming honorary assistant Rev. Canon Kim Beard will be leading a work mission trip to Tanzania in 2022 and invites anyone interested to attend two information sessions: September 8th 2021 at 7:30pm, and November 30th 2021 at 2:00 pm. Mark your calendars.
Sunday School Every Sunday at 10.00 on Zoom
Check the church calendar for links and information: www.stpl.ca/calendar.html
S.P.Y. - St. Paul’s Youth - Friday nights at 7 pm - See you in September.
Contact Sarah for more information: [email protected].
Check the online church calendar for link information: www.stpl.ca/calendar.html.
Friday Night Bible Study - resumes this coming Friday, September 10, for Bible study and prayer, right now in a 12-week study of the letters to the Colossians and Philemon, following the Bible study guide by Bishop Tom Wright. Study guides are available online (www.amazon.ca or www.parasource.com or www.christianbook.com) or may be ordered through Fr. Dean. This Friday we will resume with Lesson 5: Colossians 3.5-17. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/830877703
Telephone: 647-374 4685, or 647-558 0588; Meeting ID: 830 877 703
Thank you for your Faithful Gifts and Offerings - St. Paul’s is a strong parish and remains strong due to everyone’s faithful support. Through the first half of the year, support has been outstanding at a time when never has it been more important. Gifts can be dropped off at the church or sent by mail. Kindly ensure that your name and envelope number is included. Or, members may wish to sign up for the Pre-Authorized Giving Program (contact the office). Members who use online banking can now make E-transfers (instructions here: www.stpl.ca/give.html). Gifts can also be made at our website through CanadaHelps: www.stpl.ca/give.html.
NOTE: Of the various means for online giving, we recommend The Pre-Authorized Giving Program. It is regular, matching the regular responsibilities of the parish, and once initiated all it takes is a phone call or e-mail to increase, decrease, or cancel the donation. The monthly amount is withdrawn on the 20th of each month, and the cost to the church is 50 cents per transaction, irrespective of the amount of the gift. This makes the PAG the most economical of all the online and electronic methods.
Contact - The clergy of St. Paul’s are all in the vicinity and visiting in homes again, abiding by diocesan safety guidelines. Don’t hesitate to call or write. Website: [http://www.stpl.ca;/]www.stpl.ca; Church phone: 416-499-1545; Email: [email protected]; Fr. Dean Mercer: [email protected]; Rectory phone: 416-497-6352.