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Moving Forward – COVID Update

Two years ago, we moved into a time of great change and uncertainty as the COVID-19 pandemic grabbed hold of the world.  Throughout this time we learned and re-learned how to live with it and avoid it.  We give thanks to God for guiding us through these times and for the immeasurable ways that God has provided to help us cope, serve, and stay well or heal.  In these times we saw compassion transcend isolation.  We experienced being the church in new ways.  We surprised ourselves with how quickly we adapted to new work and school environments. We established a new normal for our daily routines. We found new ways to comfort one another in times of grieving.

We know that we still must cope with COVID even in this new phase.  And we know that we must be intentional about encouraging and supporting one another as we move forward.  Everyone has been affected by COVID, whether they tested positive for the virus or not.  As we move forward, may God bless this world with healing and renewal.

What does this mean for St. James?

  • Masks are no longer required, but you are welcome to wear a mask if you feel more comfortable doing so. We are mindful that there are some circumstances where you or others may choose to wear a mask to mitigate risk or transmission.  For example, some people may wear a mask because they are immuno-compromised or dealing with other health issues (or because they are protecting a loved one who is immuno-compromised or unwell).  Some may continue wearing masks during cold and flu season.  Some may also wear a mask when serving or receiving communion or food/drink. We encourage one another to continue looking out for your own well-being as well as the well-being of others.  For example, you may choose to wear a mask around someone else who is masking (especially the vulnerable), of if you are not wearing a mask, you may be more attentive to physical distancing and respecting other people’s personal space.
  • Proof of vaccination is no longer required.
  • Hand sanitizer will continue to be available throughout the building.
  • If you are feeling unwell or you test positive for Covid, we recommend you stay home.  According to Public Health, isolation is no longer required among the general public, but people are encouraged to stay home if they are sick.  Within vulnerable sectors, a five-day isolation period for anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 is still recommended by Public Health.  We consider the church to be a vulnerable sector.
  • We will continue to live stream worship as we gather in-person for worship.  And Zoom will be available for those who wish to participate in meetings virtually instead of gathering in-person.
  • If there are a number of COVID cases in the congregation, we will also let you know as you may wish to take extra precautions.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to speak with me or an elder.

Blessings,

Rev. Wendy

A Prayer for International Women’s Day

Gracious God,
On this
International Women’s Day,
we celebrate the goodness
you have brought
into the world
in and through women
since the beginning of time.
 
We give thanks for the women who have
nurtured our very being,
showed us how to live,
taught us skills,
soothed our souls with music,
enriched our knowledge,
passed on traditions,
celebrated our scribbles and dirt creations as masterpieces,
helped shape our identity,
inspired us in faith,
fed our faith,
filled our hearts with joy,
comforted us in grief,
steadied us when our world was crumbling,
sheltered us from harm,
protected us in times of danger,
served as peacemakers in times of war and conflict,
advocated, fought for, and defended the rights of women,
broke glass ceilings, stigmas and stereotypes,
stood up against injustice and oppression,
shaped our economy and community
with their entrepreneurial spirit and heart for service,
empowered us to be more,
led by example,
taught us that celebrating women
is more than celebrating motherhood and marriage,
inspired us to dream,
motivated us to reach those dreams,
believed when we were unbelieving,
met us with grace in all circumstances.
 
In the beginning, you created women in your image.
And you blessed women.
Creating, redeeming, and sustaining God,
Continue to bless women, shaping them according to your will.
May wholeness be found
in the role you gave them first before any other role –
beloved child of God.
 
Where there is inequality, help women be valued.
Where women are silenced and oppressed,
give women a voice
and show us all again how to relate to one another in love.
Where women feel alone,
surround them with community and support.
Where women are feeling overwhelmed
by all the hats they wear,
help them find balance, strength, and rest in you.
May all the gifts you have knitted into their design
shine in and on creation, to your glory.
Amen.
(C) Wendy MacWilliams
Prayer may be shared with others.
Picture:  Gerd Altmann, Pixabay

Lent Activity – Prayers in Motion

Prayers in Motion – A Lent Invitation from Rev. Wendy

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. 

With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Inspired by Rev. Anne’s prayer walks during Lent at Knox Harvey, I’d like to offer anyone who is interested to join me in a “Prayers in Motion” Lenten activity.

How does this work?

During Lent, I will offer different ideas, tips, prayer requests, sample prayers, Bible verses and inspirational quotes to help build your prayer life. Such posts will be made available on our website and Facebook page.  And I can also make handouts available too.  You can find these resources and verses under Prayerful Thoughts.

The idea is to pray while in motion.  You don’t need to stop and bow your head or even pray out loud.  Simply pray when you are on the move, whether you are out about the community walking, strolling the grocery store, walking from the car to a building, driving from point A to point B, doing some exercise, or traveling from room to room, and so on.

Praying in motion will help us become more aware or intentional about identifying and praying for people, situations and needs around us.  As we walk with God through ordinary activities, we will become more aware of Christ prompting us to intercede for others around us.

During your journey of Lent, keep track of how or where you’ve been praying (e.g., names of streets or buildings).  You may even want to count your steps or kilometres.  I encourage you to keep a journal of people that you pray for (even when you don’t know their names).

At the end of Lent, I would like to gather info from the prayers in motion participants and put a story of our prayer activity (for St. Paul’s and St. James combined).  It would be neat to discover how much territory and needs prayer can cover in just a short period of time and to affirm the power of prayer at work.

Note:  We won’t breach privacy. We won’t name names (unless you had permission).  We could describe prayer activity by relationship (e.g., family, friend, co-worker).  Or we could identify them by position (e.g., while pushing my shopping cart at Superstores, I prayed for the teenager stocking the shelves.  Or while I was walking on Main Street, I prayed for the police car passing by).  Alternatively, you might decide to pray each day for five people in the church directory and aim to pray your way through the directory by the end of the Lent season.  Or perhaps you pray for five homes or apartments each time you walk the street or hall.  You may choose to let people know that you are praying for them, although it’s not required.

How might you pray?  You could ponder a Bible verse.  You could pray for blessings on someone’s health, work, social life, emotions and spiritual life.  You may not know of specific needs, but God knows them.  You could simply pray the Lord’s Prayer or a familiar prayer.  You could pray your way through the newspaper, praying on people you read about or learn about on the news.