March 26, 2020

Since the COVID-19 crisis started, so many Facebook posts have been asking the good old chestnut questions: “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” or “Where is God in the midst of all the suffering and hardship in the world?” Even our Primate, Archbishop Linda Nicholls, has tried to deal with this question in her most recent Anglican Journal  article, “Where is God?”  She does her best, and I recommend the article to you. But, as she says at the beginning of her piece, ‘I can come up with no answers.’ Neither can we. We can look at Bible passages in Job and The Psalms in the Old Testament and the letters of Paul in the New Testament, but none of them really answers the question “Why?” From the cross Jesus cried out these words, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Even the Son of God at the height of his suffering asks the same question.For me, all this means that suffering is a part of life. We have to acknowledge that, cope the best we can, get alongside others who are suffering too and show the compassion that we have received from God with them. “Compassion” means “suffering with” – that’s what God is doing now and, as His followers, and that’s what we should be doing with others. Let us pray:

God our Father, we are struggling with the situation we are facing today. We are unable to worship with our friends in Christ from whom we gain so much love and support. We pray that you will show your compassion to all of us and, when we come to you in prayer, you will give us a real sense of your presence with us and shower us with your love. We pray this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, through whose sufferings we have gained eternal life. Amen.

Your wardens, along with Fr. Geoff and the Pastoral Care team, continue to meet weekly via video and phone to see how we can best serve the needs of our parish community in these difficult times. We will continue to send updates via email and post information on the All Saints’ Facebook page and parish website.

Many thanks to Arleane Ralph for creating a new page on our website labelled Together Apart. Here you will find a weekly Sunday service prepared by Fr. Geoff for you to follow at home, on-line prayer and worship resources, etc.

If you would like to be added to our email list, there is now a link to the email sign up form on the Together Apart page on the website. Thanks to the magic of our web designer, if you complete it you will automatically be added to the mailing list.

If you are interested in signing up for auto-debit (even temporarily in these troubled times), a pre-authorized giving form will soon be available, also on our Together Apart webpage. Despite the many closures, the bills still find their way into our mailbox. Thank you to the many folks who have donated via the website “donate button” or who have mailed a cheque.

We are working hard to keep our parish family connected and exploring ways to see if we can live stream services on Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Watch this space for more information. We are also reviewing the parish lists to see who among our parish family may be isolated and in need of a friendly phone call or someone to shop for them.

There is always good news and kindness amongst all the negatives. Our Deacon’s Cupboard food bank is continuing to operate thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers (with new procedures in place to keep both volunteers and clients safe.) And just the other day the Salvation Army told us they had “a few things for your foodbank.” Well, the “few things” completely filled Roy’s truck! Don’t forget, if you want to donate to the food bank, we are having a “drive though” donation day on April 8^th between 10 and noon. Come to the parking lot, pop your trunk and a volunteer will take your donation.

Blessings to all. Keep the Faith. Wash your Hands. Pray for each other.

Your wardens, Roy, Sheila, Tim and Karen

Effective Sunday March 15, the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario, including the Diocese of Toronto, is cancelling all corporate worship and all other gatherings in our church until further notice.

Diocesan Bishop announces cessation of worship services (March 13, 2020)

Letter from Archbishop Anne Germond about public worship services (March 13, 2020)

We hold our province in prayer during this anxious time, remembering especially those who are suffering from infection; researchers and doctors who are combatting the virus; health care officials and policy-makers, frontline workers and caregivers, and all those who may feel anxious or vulnerable. We trust that Christ, the Great Physician himself, will bring strength, comfort and healing to all.

See the Diocesan COVID-19 Updates for previous statements on this rapidly unfolding situation.