Announcements

Finally! We are preparing to return to “on site” worship, while maintaining online worship. The worship team is preparing for July 11th at Knox Presbyterian when everyone is invited to attend in person. Please come! The plan currently is to rotate worship spaces between the three sanctuaries (Gordon, Knox, and St. Aidan’s) as well as outdoor worship. Only one sanctuary will be open. It would be greatly appreciated if folks can carpool to each of the churches, offering rides to those who need them. Our family has expanded, and we make gracious and welcoming space for new friends in Christ who want to sit in our pews, sing in our band/choir and help in our kitchens.

Truly, our buildings belong to the Lord. Remember to invite those who may not have any church background yet long for a community to offer and receive love. We can never be the same after this year. Our community is marked by Christ’s inclusive spirit.

This is our schedule of dates, places, and preachers:

July 4: Zoom only – Rev. Diane Tait-Katerberg

July 11: Knox – Rev. Bradly Childs (ordination of elders Judy Sinclair and Antonia Reynolds

July 18: St. Aidan’s – Rev. Laurie McKay

July 25: Gordon – Rev. Calum Macleod

August 1: Knox – Rev. Bradly Childs

August 8: Zoom and Outdoor Worship (place to be confirmed) – Rev. Dr. Patricia Dutcher-Walls

August 15: Gordon – Rev. Calum Macleod

August 22: Knox – Shirley Carleton

August 29: Zoom and Outdoor Worship (place to be confirmed) - Rev. Calum Macleod and Rev. Dr. Pat Dutcher-Walls

September 5: St. Aidan’s (communion) – Rev. Laurie McKay

September 12: Gordon – Rev. Calum Macleod

September 19: Knox – Rev. Bradly Childs

WHAT TO EXPECT AS WE GATHER ONCE AGAIN TO WORSHIP

• No capacity limits or restrictions on religious gatherings and worship services
• COVID Safety Plans no longer required
• singing allowed,
• fellowship allowed
• food allowed
• Masks, no longer mandated but recommended indoors for 12 and older, for those not fully immunized. You are considered fully immunized 14 days after you’ve received the second shot.

Folk can choose to wear a mask indoor even if they are fully immunized and that is okay.

We just want to make you aware of Dr. Henry’s mask recommendations. We understand and

respect that people have different comfort levels and possibly, underlying health conditions

which may influence their decision. To keep everyone safe we will continue to follow some required safety precautions: 

• Hand sanitizer will be available, please use it as you enter and leave.
• Seating -while it is not required to have 2 metres between non household members, we would ask that you sit as far apart as possible and respect personal space.
• Ventilation: depending on the sanctuary, you may find windows and doors left open during worship; if the ceiling fans are on, they will be blowing in a downward direction.
• Cleaning and disinfecting: disinfecting of high touch surfaces is no longer required. Regular cleaning of the church will of course continue.

What a lovely thing to worship together in harmony!

The Worship Team of the Growing Together Churches

(Rev.’s Cal Macleod, Laurie Deacon, Pat Dutcher-Walls; Sandra Osborne, Joan Murphy, Gareth

Youdan, Melanie Adams, John Carr)

If you would like to join the Emmaus Group  please talk to Jim, Lindy, Les, Sandy, Barb or Ian.  We would love to  have your input.  If you would like to donate to the Emmaus Group outreach programs, you can do so through your envelopes – “Other” –  “Emmaus”.  Thank you for your prayers and support in reaching out to our  neighbours. 

They practice on Saturday morning from  10:00am – 12:00pm.  Their performances for the public are during the Christmas season on Saturday afternoons and during May, also on Saturday  afternoons.  The only requirement is that you read music beyond a  beginning level.  Handbell ringing experience is not required as we will  teach technique in context with the music we are playing.  We also play in some church services. Please contact Alma at atomei@shaw.ca if you  are interested in joining! 

Do you love to sing? Our choir is searching for more singers.  We sing traditional to contemporary, and  practices are Thursday evenings from 7:30om to 9:00pm. The choir sings in the service every Sunday at 10:30am. Please contact Alma at  atomei@shaw.ca if you are interested in joining!