COVID

Dear Siblings in Christ,

In a few days we will mark two years since our regular church routines were first disrupted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In those earliest days, we committed ourselves to doing whatever was necessary to love and care for our neighbours by protecting their health and wellbeing. It hasn’t always been easy, but we’ve done just that! I am so proud of how our church has responded to these unprecedented challenges.

While the risks associated with COVID-19 remain, we are beginning to see wonderful signs of hope in the world all around us. Restrictions are lessening, mandates are ending, and we can look forward to resuming some of our most cherished activities and traditions.

Across our Synod congregations are returning to in-person worship, we are cautiously planning for some physical meetings and gatherings, hymns are being sung again, and we look forward to enjoying those long-awaited sips of coffee during fellowship hour. Be assured that our ability to do each of these things is a direct result of the collective efforts which have guided us through these past two years.

To that end, I would encourage continued caution as we enter this ‘endemic’ phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Our commitment to the health and safety of our neighbour remains. These acts of love have guided us thus far and will continue to mark our ministry as we move into the weeks ahead. Please continue to adopt a measured approach, follow the guidance provided by local public health units, and gauge the comfort level of your congregation. Regarding the removal of mask mandates in some areas of our Synod, I would encourage all congregations to continue using masks for the time being. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. I, and my colleagues in the Synod Office, are eager to support you as you resume in-person practices.

We have learned a lot over these past two years. I am inspired by the resiliency and determination shown by our church! The Good News has been, and continues to be, proclaimed with a profound clarity. God is with us.

Thank you for your faithfulness.
Thank you for your creativity.
Thank you for your partnership in ministry.

May God be with you today, and always!
Bishop Michael

Dear Colleagues,

When I communicated with you at the beginning of this month, it was my counsel that all churches across our synod should pause their in-person worship until the end of January. I was encouraged to see that the vast majority of congregations chose to do so. Thank you for your continued commitment to the health and wellbeing of your neighbours and communities. This is, indeed, an act of love.

As the regulations within our four provinces begin to lessen, with children returning to school and businesses re-opening, I would encourage you to extend the pause of in-person gatherings for an additional two weeks. This will allow time for the projected peak of the Omicron Variant, and for the public health effects of the lessening of restrictions to become better known. As such, should current trends continue, I would recommend that congregations wishing to resume in-person worship consider doing so with a February 20, 2022 target date. As always, please be sure to consult with your local public health for regulations specific to your region.

Dear Colleagues,

The COVID-19 situation across our Synod continues to evolve on a near daily basis. Over the Christmas holidays we have seen the tightening of restrictions in all four of our provincial jurisdictions.

Since the beginning of this pandemic, I have urged you to do whatever is necessary to protect one another and safeguard the health and safety of our communities. We have done this as an act of love for, and a gift of service to, our neighbours. Twenty-one months later, this priority still stands.

To that end, and with the information we have today, I feel that it is both prudent and responsible for Eastern Synod congregations to suspend all in-person worship services and other gatherings effective immediately and for a period of at least four weeks.  I commit to reviewing this advice and communicating an updated recommendation to you by the end of January 2022. Likewise, a decision regarding the Spiritual Retreats scheduled for the month of February will be made and communicated to you as soon as possible.

I remain encouraged by the resiliency and faithfulness with which our leaders and faith communities continue to engage these challenges. Your actions are a clear proclamation of the gospel that extend far beyond the brick and mortar limits of our physical buildings. I am deeply grateful and inspired by each of you.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office if we can offer support to you in these days. In the meantime, please take a moment to check in with one another, support one another, and make use of the Resource Library which is available for your use.

I am praying for you, dear partners in ministry. May God bless and keep you.

Bishop Michael

Dear friends and colleagues,

Grace and peace to you as we enter these late days of Advent.

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise across our Synod, we are reaching out to you today to offer a few suggestions intended to ensure a safe and meaningful worship experience for those who choose to gather in-person throughout the coming days.

As always, we ask you to ensure that masking, hand hygiene, physical distancing, screening and ventilation practices are being closely monitored and adhered to. Science tells us that COVID-19 is airborne. As such, these timely practices, combined with strong support for vaccination, remain our first defence.