Cindy Stubbs

As we look for new ways to gather as community, please consider checking out the following live streaming and pre-recorded worship services from across our church.


http://elcic.ca/publichealth/livestreaming.cfm 

If you have an update to something on this list, or have something new to add please send it to Trina, tgallop@elcic.ca 

At vestries this past year Bishop Linda Nicholls challenged congregations throughout the Diocese of Huron to Stand in Solidarity with those living in poverty. This Good Friday, All Saints Anglican Church Waterloo joined with Christ Lutheran Church to participate in the Stations of the Cross in downtown Kitchener.
The theme for the stations was, Against the Forces of Death; Embracing the Faces of Poverty.
The two churches embraced the opportunity to draw attention to the unjust structures of society and to be a visible presence in the community. Stations included banks, the courthouse and jail, regional government headquarters, the statue of the begging Jesus, Money Mart, luxury condos, war memorial, Mary’s place and the Working Center.
The two communities made their way from station to station carrying the cross, reading scriptures and praying at each location. Discussions unfolded at each station.
At Regional Government Headquarters, Steven Izma noted “the choices politicians make surrounding transit are far too often for the privileged, the high tech sector and to get the rich too and from shopping quickly. Transit to factories or poor neighbours is just neglected.” 
When reflecting on the predatory lending practices of Money Mart and other payday lenders, Sharon Summerville noted that “we have lost any sense of community morality allowing these places to exists.”
Oz Cole-Arnal, professor emeritus from Martin Luther University College reflected upon the gentrification of the downtown core, stating, “It isn’t urban renewal, its urban removal of the poor.”
Pastor Marty Levesque of All Saints Anglican Church noted that gap in social housing versus the abundance of student housing is an indication of a class divide. “We readily build student housing for middle and upper-middle-class folks who can afford to send kids to university, but we refuse to build the most basic social housing, seeing no profit it.”


The Stations of the Cross concluded at the Working Center, world-renowned outreach ministries, which provide a myriad of services throughout Kitchener/Waterloo. Margaret Nally remarked that the Working Centers mission is “to help return dignity, reliance and humanity to each person who walks through the doors.”
While the rain held off for the two communities to finish the stations, each participate couldn’t help reflect that when it rains, or snows, many of the invisible population in the cities of Kitchener and Waterloo simply must endure. To date this year, as presented at the mayors’ dinner for St John’s Soup Kitchen, there have been over 25 deaths in the region to the population that calls the streets, jails, and The Working Center home. In 2018, the number of deaths for the entire year for this specific population was 35.

By Rev Marty Levesque

Dear friends in Christ,

As coronavirus disease (Covid-19) continues to escalate domestically, so does the requirement that we continue to review and adjust our current practices. With new information being received daily, we have received requests for further communication, specifically with respect to the most recent pastoral letter issued March 13, 2020.

With the information we have today, we feel it is both prudent and responsible that our congregations suspend all public worship services and other gatherings effective immediately. Some of you have already made this decision. It is our hope that we will all be strongly encouraged to do likewise.

We understand how difficult some of these unprecedented decisions may feel. These important considerations reflect a deep concern for those most vulnerable – particularly elderly and those with compromised immune systems.  

At the Synod and National offices, we are looking at how we can make alternative arrangements for upcoming meetings and gatherings. Questions we are asking ourselves include: can these meetings be held differently (via web conference), or do they need to be postponed or cancelled?

Your congregation members may be asking a lot of questions right now. We all have a lot of questions. This is uncharted territory for us all. Please know that your synod office is available to contact and support you in your work.

While social distancing may be required at this time, we must do all we can to avoid social isolation. Each of our synods are looking at what this means within their own context and will communicate with you as there is more information to share.

Please continue to be vigilant in your prayerful support of those who are ill and those who are most fully engaged in the public health efforts that are underway across the country and around the world. May God grant us generous gifts of courage, faith, and compassion.

Blessings in your ministry during this time.

Yours in Christ,

The Rev. Susan Johnson, ELCIC National Bishop
The Rev. Dr. Greg Mohr, ELCIC British Columbia Synod
The Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer, Synod of Alberta and the Territories  
The Rev. Dr. Sid Haugen, Saskatchewan Synod
The Rev. Jason Zinko, Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario Synod
The Rev. Michael Pryse, Eastern Synod

Dear friends in Christ,

Since the letter issued by our Bishops on March 4, 2020, the World Health Organization has categorized the coronavirus (COVID-19) as a global pandemic. Infection rates have risen, along with many people’s level of concern. We have received many questions and requests over the past days and feel that another response is needed.

We want to first ask you to keep praying for all who are affected – those who have been infected, those who are quarantined, those who are grieving the death of loved ones, those who are experiencing racism and prejudice, and for all those who continue to care for the sick and vulnerable. The Lutheran World Federation has prepared intercessory prayers that you may use in worship or individually (https://tinyurl.com/wz2y7v3).

Many leaders in the church have asked for direction regarding communion practices and whether or not worship gatherings should be suspended. At this time, we are refraining from giving directives that would apply across the entire church. We are asking our leaders to be attentive to their particular context and to make decisions that best reflect each congregation’s setting and practice.

We do ask that whatever decisions your congregation/organization/ministry decides that they will reflect a deep concern for those most vulnerable – particularly elderly members and those with compromised immune systems. This is a way of being the Church and of loving each other in a supportive Christian community. A faithful response to this pandemic will include care of our neighbour along with our trust in God’s faithfulness.

Best Practices

Please refer to your local or provincial/territorial health authority for the most accurate and up to date information about COVID-19. They will also provide the most complete and effective advice with respect to containing and preventing the spread of the virus. At a minimum, we strongly encourage the following:

Stay home if you are feeling unwell.
Practice ‘social distancing’ (ideally two arms lengths between others).
Clean hands regularly using warm water and soap. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Practice good cough hygiene (cough into your elbow).
Regularly clean and disinfect common areas and high-touch areas.
Greet in ways that do not involve physical contact; smile, wave and nod rather than hugs or handshakes. This includes sharing the peace during worship.

Worship Practices

In all settings, we strongly discourage the use of common communion vessels that are not silver or gold (or plated). Juice should not be used in common cups. If using individual glasses, minimize the probability of multiple people contacting the glasses. All ministers, servers, communion assistants should wash their hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after presiding/serving.

If your community chooses, you may opt to temporarily suspend communion with wine altogether. Theologically, to receive communion in one kind (bread only) is to receive the full body and blood of Christ.

Offering plates could be a potential contamination risk. We advise congregations to develop an alternative way of collecting offering that would minimize multiple contacts. This may also be an opportunity for members to enrol in pre-authorized remittance to mitigate this risk while also ensuring provision of resources for the congregation.

Suspending Worship

Even in the early church, when gathering was difficult, it was incredibly important for communities to read scripture, pray, and worship together. If your faith community is considering suspending worship, we strongly encourage you to find other ways of gathering or worshipping.
Meet in smaller groups using worship resources available through www.worship.ca (Where Two or Three are Gathered: Worship for Small Assemblies). Consider streaming your worship services, or directing congregants to live streams from other churches or televised services on Sundays. Agree to pray at home at a specified time so that your community can still pray together. Make sermons and study materials available to each member. Meet virtually (tele- or video-conferencing).

Potential Self Isolation of Key Leaders

It is possible that key leaders, both rostered and lay, may experience the need to self-isolate. It is important that contingency plans be put in place, in advance of such need, to ensure the continued provision of leadership in key congregational functions. All rostered and key leaders should designate someone to take on these key responsibilities should illness occur.

Maintaining Community

Even as this pandemic presents a challenge to gathering, we hope and pray that our communities will stay strong and supportive of each other in the name of Christ. This is an excellent opportunity for the whole community to engage in ministering to each other.
During this time, we encourage the entire community to be in more regular contact by phone or personal visits (when appropriate). We encourage healthy members to take an active role in ensuring that our more senior members have adequate support to stay home. Pray for each other.

Our Prayers

Through these challenges, we hope and pray that each of our communities will continue to be faithful and public witnesses to the grace and love of God through Christ. We continue to pray for our leaders and members, asking for God to give us courage, faith, and compassion. Blessings in your ministry during this time.

In addition to our words, we direct you to responses from our partner churches for further guidance and encouragement:

Lutheran World Federation – https://tinyurl.com/vyg2ap9
Anglican Church of Canada – https://tinyurl.com/yx6n7uxr
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – https://elca.org/publichealth

Yours in Christ,

The Rev. Susan Johnson, ELCIC National Bishop
The Rev. Dr. Greg Mohr, ELCIC British Columbia Synod
The Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer, Synod of Alberta and the Territories 
The Rev. Dr. Sid Haugen, Saskatchewan Synod
The Rev. Jason Zinko, Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario Synod
The Rev. Michael Pryse, Eastern Synod

These prayers of intercession from the Lutheran World Federation may be of interest to our congregations. They may be a helpful resource in the midst of these uncertain times.

https://www.lutheranworld.org/sites/default/files/2020/documents/200312_-_intercessory_prayer_in_the_midst_of_the_spread_of_covid_-_en.pdf

Dear friends in Christ,

God’s grace and peace to you. Recent news about the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has raised concerns
for many of us for the wellbeing of people across the world and potentially in our communities and neighbourhoods.
This may be raising fears and questions.
   In response, we first want to ask you to pray for all who are affected by this disease. God be with those who
grieve, are ill, isolated and afraid, and the many people involved in medical and emergency care. We pray particularly
for the people of China and other nations where the disease is spreading rapidly. And we ask that together we
stand with and publicly express our support of Asian neighbours and communities in this country, that racism
and prejudice be confronted among us and in our nation.
   We also ask that we resist allowing our fear to overwhelm us. We trust in “God with us,” and in the revelation
of God in Christ Jesus who speaks often in the Gospels the words of promise, “Do not be afraid.” We are called to
reassure others in this same promise.
   It is also important to inform ourselves of the risks and precautions, and our national, provincial and local
government health authorities are our best source of information. Please consult the Health Canada website:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html or your provincial
or local health authority for up-to-date information.
   We want to ensure best practises in our worship and community life together, especially for the sake of those
most vulnerable to this and other diseases. The following are recommended in our communities, based on best
practises of health authorities, for preventing the transmission of the disease.
   • People experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, especially a fever, should stay home and avoid contact with
others until symptoms cease. Thoroughly washing hands and avoiding contact between unwashed hands and
mouth, nose and eyes, and sneezing or coughing into your sleeve or a tissue, are the most effective ways of
preventing infection.
   Concerning specific worship practises, the following are recommended in our communities that should ordinarily
govern our public worship:
   • Greeting one another, including sharing the peace, should be expressed in ways that are comfortable for each
person, that may or may not include shaking hands or embracing, but also, a bow, nod, or smile.
   • Hand sanitizer should be readily available in and around our worship and other gathering spaces for
everyone’s use.
   • Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces according to local health guidelines in our public spaces of worship and
gathering, especially washrooms, door handles, handrails, is recommended.
   • Those preparing Holy Communion should thoroughly wash their hands with soap and hot water and all
vessels and containers must be carefully washed before and after worship as well.
   • Presiders and Communion ministers should thoroughly wash their hands with soap and hot water just before
serving Communion.
   • Medical advice tells us that the common cup, when properly administered, continues to be a hygienically sound
means of receiving the wine in Holy Communion. A metal chalice wiped inside and outside and turned between each
person communing is the best practise. Ceramic chalices are not as hygienically sound.
   • Parishes that use individual glasses for Communion should ensure that good hygienic practises are followed by all
persons who handle the glasses both before and after worship.
   • The practise of intinction (dipping the bread in the wine) is not recommended. But if used, worshippers need to take
care that hands are clean and touching the wine is avoided.
   • People who are uncomfortable or anxious about receiving the wine in Holy Communion, regardless of the means,
should be reminded that it is entirely appropriate to commune by receiving the bread only.
   • As we continue to monitor the situation, an extreme risk of transmission in a local community may require the
temporary practise of communing with bread only. Local health authorities should be consulted in making this decision.
   In addition, appropriate food safe practises, including thorough hand washing, washing of dishes, careful preparing and
serving of food and beverages should be followed for all gatherings for hospitality and community together. Consult local
government health authorities for best information and training as appropriate.
   Our hope and prayer is that our appropriate concern for public health and well-being in our communities does not
diminish our full and enthusiastic participation in worship and community life together. We trust in God’s continuing care
for all in response to this health challenge before us.

God bless us all with a Holy Lent and a springtime of hope in Christ Jesus.

Yours in Christ,

The Rev. Susan Johnson, National Bishop, ELCIC
The Rev. Dr. Greg Mohr, British Columbia Synod
The Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer,  Synod of Alberta and the Territories
The Rev. Dr. Sid Haugen, Saskatchewan Synod
The Rev. Jason Zinko,  Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario Synod
The Rev. Michael Pryse,  Eastern Synod