Good News in the Glebe
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Good News in the Glebe July 2020 In This Issue Re-opening Glebe-St. James Glebe-St. James has been on a roller-coaster ride in the past few Re-opening Glebe-St. James months, closing down, at least physically, on short notice at the end On-line Worship of March and then adjusting as we go to the “new normal” of virtual living. After a period of tight provincial regulations, we are now in a Virtual Choir phase where we have a little more latitude to set our course for the COVID-style Celebration fall and beyond but also some major challenges. This note seeks to share some of those challenges and to flag some spaces to watch as Celebrating a Remarkable the situation evolves. We are also open to questions and Ministry suggestions, not to mention offers of help! Wednesday Mornings with Where are we now? Robert With the provincial declaration of a state of emergency in March, the Web Site Development operations of Glebe-St. James as we have known them were quickly shut down. The building was closed and all church activities in the Odawa Update building were also ended, notably including worship services. The From the Editor one partial exception is that Jennifer Reid, our office administrator, and Lori Stinson, our accountant, have continued to work (in rotation) in the church office. Very limited access has been provided Glebe-St. James web site to the building on necessary church business (including building maintenance), but all visitors are asked to contact Jennifer https://www.glebestjames.ca/ beforehand and to sign in and out in a register in the lobby of the Lyon St. entrance. Contact Us In the same way, the Glebe Montessori School (GMS), with whom we share the building, closed down on-site operations, as have all our Church Office other building users. The one partial exception is that the Glebe [email protected] Neighbourhood Activities Group (GNAG) is running a cohort of its Summer Day Camp in Fraser Hall, operating under strict protocols 613-236-0617 for building access and use by the 8 campers and their two leaders. A silver lining has been provided by our virtual Sunday worship Newsletter Editor services. Until the end of June these were pre-recorded. The services on July 5 and 12 mark a new departure, broadcast live from the [email protected] Sanctuary and available in recorded form afterward on the Glebe-St. James web site (https://www.glebestjames.ca/). These have begun very simply, but they will provide the foundation for live-streaming even when we return to in-person services. What are we allowed to do? Provincial regulations currently permit churches to hold in-person worship services with attendance of up 30% of the capacity of the room in which the service is held, although congregational singing is prohibited and singing by choirs is limited to soloists. At the same time, the United Church of Canada Eastern Ontario and Outaouais Regional Council (EOORC), the successor to Ottawa Presbytery, has asked that each community of faith submit a plan for approval by Page 1 Re-opening (continued) Do you have questions or suggestions? EOORC at least two weeks before the proposed This is new territory, and all questions and resumption of in-person services. Communities of suggestions are welcome. Send them to Jennifer faith are also asked to develop plans for other Reid, the church administrator, at her new e-mail building users. All of these plans are expected to address: [email protected] conform with provincial regulations and Ottawa Public Health guidance. On-line Worship Separate provincial regulations govern a number of other relevant areas, including non-worship “The Sunday On-Line Services Have Been gatherings, public events such as concerts, Magical!” That’s the title of an e-mail containing private schools and day cares (both affecting comments on the on-line worship experience. GMS), and health and safety regulations relating Many of us were initially skeptical and thought that to employed staff and volunteers. The province on-line services would be “a poor substitute for the currently permits a degree of re-opening in some Sunday experience.” But we soon found out we of these areas but not others, and it has indicated were wrong. that the restrictions will be kept under continuing Many people found watching a service on-line on review, with a view to further relaxation when their own time, in their own space, with no circumstances permit. distractions, to be more meaningful than physically What do we plan to do? attending. “Sometimes going to church seems like Glebe-St. James Council has agreed that we going to work because of our many involvements, should be prepared to resume in-person activities but this way, it’s just me and the service. I find it when it is safe to do so. The earliest that could very soothing.” “Listening to a sermon from happen is at the beginning of September, when someone’s living room somehow makes it feel worship services are due to begin again after the more intimate – as if the leader were talking to summer break. That is also when Rev. Teresa you”. Choir members in particular, but others too, Burnett-Cole will return from her sabbatical, and liked being able to see the speaker’s face clearly. any decision one way or the other will be taken in The musical components of the services were close consultation with her. particularly appreciated. “The Gifts of Music by the The single most important consideration will be choir and the piano-organ duets by Robert and safety of the participants. This will in turn be James have been especially moving for us.” “I linked to the state of the COVID-19 virus in the loved the choir singing from multiple locations, so Ottawa community, as well as related nice to see the familiar faces.” considerations, such as the fact that we have The flexibility of the on-line format was seen as a many older members of the congregation. While it plus. Initially people “went to church” on Sunday would be a significant step forward to resume in- mornings but, as schedules evolved due to the person services in September, this is by no means pandemic, many found that other times were guaranteed. Under any circumstance, we will better. “Being able to ‘be at church’ at any time resume live-streamed services the first Sunday in means that I can choose a moment when I don’t September, and live-streaming will be a feel harried and rushed.” continuing part of the picture. The technology also gave people a way to hear the We will also be looking at the timing and nature of messages more effectively. “We enjoy the resuming other uses of the building, including by opportunity to replay parts of the service that have Glebe-St. James. GMS is making plans on a touched us in particular ways or for particular contingency basis for resuming in-person classes reasons.” “I like the ability to pause to think about at the beginning of the new school year, although something I have just heard and to listen again.” any final decision to do so will depend on provincial regulations and safety considerations. Many people commented on the quality of the Similarly, we will stay in close touch with GNAG production and the level of effort put in by the and other users, such as Scouts, Brownies and team and especially James. “The work James put Sparks, to ensure that their return to the building in unifying the entire service is quite incredible to is safe and part of an over-all plan. us.” Congratulations to all involved on a job well done! Page 2 Seriously, I sound like Virtual Choir that and he still lets The choir has been having Zoom rehearsals on me sing in the choir? Thursday nights, then recording themselves Just a couple of singing the hymns and anthems which James mistakes, who will stitches together. The experience had been know? James will, challenging! and I will . record again. James has put the conductor tracks in Dropbox. He wants my recordings by noon on Saturday. This is really hard and How hard can that be? tiring. It’s so easy in person. No idea how to record on this computer. Google search . Watching James like a hawk. Suddenly his OK, how to watch James and record at the same time? Maybe put my phone in a plastic bag and encouraging smiles Eric Dormer’s recording are even more tape it to the computer and put the computer on set-up. a chair on the table and …. crash, everything fell. important. Need to start with 1,2,3, CLAP to coordinate the Then seeing and hearing the final product in the tapes. 1,2,3, oops, missed it. At least four tries service after James works his digital magic, and it is all worth it. every time. That was a good one . forgot to press record! That’s the last verse harmony, there’s a verse COVID-style Celebration left. Oh, verses 1-3 only. Try again. On Thursday, June 25, instead of a Zoom choir rehearsal, choir members participated in a OMG is that what I sound like? celebratory motorcade to James’s house to thank Who knew the clock was so loud? him for his amazing work in supporting the choir and creating wonderful hymns and anthems from That IS a creaky floorboard. individual recordings. And also to celebrate his Forgot to press record, again! birthday! A twelve-car, two-bicycle caravan made its way to James’s house led by Robert and Susan OMG is that what I look like when I sing? Palmai.