A Message from the Wardens and Pastoral Team

of All Saints Anglican Church, Whitby

March 14, 2020

Today the Wardens and Pastoral Team met to plan for the coming weeks. We hope to continue to reach out to the congregation via email in the coming days and weeks to keep everyone abreast of these difficult times.

Services and Events
As you are aware all Anglican services across the Diocese are now cancelled for the time being. In addition, the following events at All Saints have also been postponed or cancelled:

• Choir Practices
• Tuesday Lenten Study
• Thursday morning Bible Study
• Book Club Meetings
• Margaret’s Guild Meetings
• Men’s Group Meetings
• Church – Open for Prayer Thursdays

The celebration of life service that was scheduled for this week has been postponed at the family’s request. More details will be forthcoming. We will be working with the Food Bank team this week to assess how we will be able to go forward.

Though our regular Sunday Services have been cancelled, St. James Cathedral Choral Matins will be celebrated by livestream by Bishop Andrew Asbil this Sunday, March 15 at 11 a.m. from the Diocese of Toronto Facebook page. Other livestream worship surfaces are also available; select from a list of livestream worship services. Though we will be apart, please consider joining together digitally.

Church Office Hours and Staff
Maria will be working from home during this time. She will checking phone messages and email during the normal office hours and will redirect any calls to the appropriate clergy or Warden. She can be reached at allsaintswhitby@nullbellnet.ca or via the Church Office number, number 905 668-5101. With the exception of our regular rentals, the church will be closed. Though Rob will be available from home, he will continue to ensure that the building is secure and cleaned where and when necessary.

Pastoral Care
Our pastoral team will continue to reach out during this time; however, they will be arranging for phone visits rather than home visits. For pastoral emergencies, please call the Church Office.

The Wardens and Pastoral team will continue to be in contact with the Diocese during the evolving situation. We will be keeping the congregation updated as new information is available. Please feel free to contact us or call the church office should you have any questions or concerns.

Wardens Roy, Sheila, Karen and Tim

March 14, 2020

Pastoral Letter to the Clergy & Congregations of Trent-Durham

Dear Friends in Christ ~ grace to you and peace this day.

I am lifting you up in prayer without ceasing. God is faithful and present to us, hears our cries and our pain, our joys and our longings. I appeal to you to remember to praise and pray to the Holy One of Blessing, who loves each and all of us, pursues us, encourages us, accompanies us and especially does not forsake us. We are beloved. Thanks be to God.

In these unfamiliar times, we should be prepared for disruptions – over the coming days, weeks and months. So I write to encourage you to hold fast to your faith, to know that you are beloved of God … Read more

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.