Grace and mercy in challenging times

What a week!  As you are all aware, The World Health Organisation has now named the Covid-19 outbreak as a global pandemic.  I pray everyone is well and is managing in the face the of many new directives  given for public safety.  I know that this will cause many challenges in the weeks ahead and pray that we are able as a community to support each other as we are able.  I borrow from the wise words of Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky:

· “Every hand that we don’t shake must become a phone call that we place.”

· “Every embrace that we avoid must become a verbal expression of warmth and concern.”

· “Every inch and every foot that we physically place between ourselves and another, must become a thought as to how we might be of help to that other, should the need arise.”

Directives from our diocese have remained fairly consistent since last week with the one addition that coffee hour and all non-essential social gatherings involving food should cease.  

We have not yet been told we should not gather, and as the body of Christ, gathering together to worship is part of our call as Christians.  Sunday service will continue and you are welcome.  

That said,  I quote the words The Most Rev. Linda Nicholls, head of the Anglican Church of Canada as she writes:  “Every Anglican is urged to be diligent in personal practices for ourselves and to protect those around us who may be vulnerable—cough or sneeze into a tissue or sleeve only; stay home if you are sick; self-quarantine if you have been advised to do so; avoid large gatherings if you are elderly or have underlying medical concerns; and avoid touching your eyes, mouth or nose.”

In other words, discern what might be best for you in this situation and use wisdom.  

If you are not able to join us on Sunday remember that our services are livestreamed and please tune in at http://stbedesanglican.ca  We also have made available an online way of giving, if you regularly give and are not able to join us.  www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/st-bedes-church/

We are following the direction of government and public health officials and if word comes that all public gatherings should cease we will notify you immediately.   

I invite you to keep up to date with national church and diocesan directives by going to www.toronto.anglican.ca, and www.anglican.ca.

In the meantime may we remember that we are called to be a people of hope and of prayer.  Let us not be consumed by fear, but continue to love one another and trust in our Lord’s grace and mercy.