Diocese Plans to Begin Cautious Reopening in September
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Page 2 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Thoughts from our new Reflecting on Race Community Ministries cope Youth meet with Bishops Bishop with COVID THE ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF OTTAWA Section of the Anglican Journal September 2020 Crosstalk PHOTO: LESLIE WORDEN Diocese plans to begin cautious reopening in September BY LEIGH ANNE WILLIAMS an epidemiologist serving as an advi- he said. “The science continues to sor to the Diocese during the pan- evolve, but it seems at this stage, the n Sept. 1, the diocese of demic, reminded listeners that “as we prudent measure is to take extreme Ottawa plans to take a cau- open our doors again, each of us as caution when we think about singing tious step toward reopening, leaders in our parishes will be on the in church, especially choir singing or Omoving from a “red ” response to the front lines of public health. The deci- congregational singing.” COVID-19 pandemic to “amber,” as sions we make will have an ability to Garner added one more sobering long as infection numbers in the Ot- mitigate health, protect health, lead a fact into the mix. “Historically, pan- tawa area allow the Diocese to follow group of people through this crisis.” demics have had at least two waves,” the guide it released on July 7. Garner noted that “We are in the he said. “There is no evidence to In the red stage, all church build- midst of the pandemic. Things are suggest right now that the COVID ings are closed, all worship must be getting better, but they can turn for pandemic will be any different. As a online, and all meetings held online the worse very quickly.” result, any plans for reopening must or on the phone. In the amber stage, He recommended a Japanese pub- consider the possibility of a second some of those restrictions are loos- lic awareness model included in the wave and how we might manage a ened, allowing small numbers of Diocese’s plan that reminds people to new round of isolation.” people to gather for worship. avoid “the three Cs” — closed spaces, The full plan, which followed one In a July 15 online briefing for crowded places, close contact —and from the Diocese of New Westmin- clergy and wardens, Bishop Shane especially to avoid places where those ster closely, is available on the Dioc- Parker thanked those in attendance three conditions overlap. “Some of esan website, but here are a few of for continuing to be the church, for you are surely having a light bulb the key points: continuing to serve the communities go on or at least the sinking feeling • Services are limited to no more in the diocese, and for the worship of the question: Are churches at the than 50 people or 1⁄3 the capacity they faithfully and creatively contin- intersection of the three Cs? I think it of the church, whichever is less, ued in new ways during the pan- Could that be a new, well packed is clear that they are,” he said. to ensure there is enough space demic. bundle of clothing for the North And new research from outbreaks for two metres of separation on ”We know that our love of God in Marni’s hands? Yes! ACW of the COVID virus also seems to all sides between households or is intended to be expressed by our Coordinators have found a way show that singing might be an ex- individuals. love of others, and the caution that tremely risky activity, he said. “There to keep things going through the • Communion must be in one kind we have exercised is all about loving are reports where one infectious summer even though projects only: wafers. The celebrant must others. It is about keeping everyone person goes to church with 100 other were halted and church buildings be the only communion adminis- safe,” he added. people and more than 50 end up closed due to the pandemic. trant. The Rev. Michael Garner, who is infected, and in this case, three die,” page 2 See the ACW report, page 10 YouTube, sending their prayers and offered his blessing and a prayer for New Bishop well-wishes in comments during and Bishop Parker’s apostolic ministry. after the service. Offering the homily, Germond of Ottawa Archbishop Anne Germond, Met- said that it seemed fitting that the ropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Prov- Gospel for the day was John’s ver- consecrated ince of Ontario, delivered the homily sion of Pentecost, describing the for the Pentecost service with Bishop disciples gathered together fearfully By Leigh Anne Williams Michael Oulton of the Diocese of behind locked doors when the risen Ontario and Bishop John Baycroft, Christ appears among them, saying, n the evening of May 31, Shane the 7th Bishop of Ottawa, assisting “”Peace be with you. Receive the OParker, who served as Dean of her in presiding over the Eucharist Holy Spirit.’ And he breathes on Christ Church Cathedral since 1999, and Consecration. them.” was consecrated as the 10th Bishop of Germond opened the service by What a powerful image that Ottawa. Due to the COVID-19 health reading a letter from retiring Bishop is, she said, “at a time when the restrictions, the service at the Cathe- John Chapman, who wrote: “Shane, pandemic has resulted in thousands dral was limited to the few people you have been my brother in Christ of deaths because people were un- participating in the service observing and partner in ministry for many able able to breathe, and thousands physical distancing rules, but clergy years….I wish that the days of this more are on respirators to help and lay people from across the diocese virus, COVID-19, were past, and we them breathe. And all of us are and Canada were able to view the could all be present with you for this hiding our breathe from others to wonderful and sacred day,” but he protect them.” service via a webcast on Facebook and page 4 Page 2 • CROSSTALK • September 2020 FROM OUR BISHOP PHOTO CONTRIBUTED May nature provide you with rich signs of Christ’s irrepressible grace was three when my family moved from Edmonton to Fort Nelson, a town in Treaty 8 territory Iin the northeast corner of British Columbia, at Mile 300 of the historic Alaska Highway, surrounded by bo- real forest near the confluence of the Muskwa, Prophet and Fort Nelson rivers. Our home was a standard-issue military house, in an area carved out of the bush to accommodate person- nel who were stationed there as part of the defense of the North during Contemplating nature by the Muskwa River in 1961. the Cold War. You did not have to go far to be in the bush: across the street that nature follows it own course. the air, and filling waterways. It was and over the fire break lay the vast Jesus encouraged his followers to a sign of unfettered creation, break- expanse of the forest and its inhabit- consider nature—the birds of the air ing through to remind us that, like ants. and the flowers of the field—to- un the flow of nature, the flow of God’s Early one morning, my brother derstand that, just as God is at work creative love continues around us, went out on his bike and encoun- in the intricacies and interdependen- even as we are anxious and preoc- tered a mature lynx padding along cies of creation, sustaining species cupied with a coronavirus pandemic the gravel road. The hunters in the of plants and animals, God is also at that feels all-encompassing. community simply walked out their work in human lives. And so he asks The summer storm was like Jesus back doors to pursue game in season. us, “Why would you think that you, saying, “Remember that God is at Big birds like the great horned owl, alone, control your destinies? That work in creation and in human lives! bald eagles and golden eagles graced you must look to yourselves alone to Do not be anxious about today or the skies, and the rivers and creeks find hope and security?” tomorrow! Don’t forget that your first had plenty of fish. Black bears were Jesus teaches his followers that God duty is to love God, not to fret! Know commonplace. will provide what we need to find that if God’s gifts to human beings— My very earliest memories formed The Rt. Rev. peace of mind in this life, and that gifts of memory, reason and skill— in that rich environment. To this day, Shane Parker, our first and foremost job is to live in are used wisely and compassionately, certain scents in the forest, the lay of the love of God and to use the gifts effective treatment and a vaccine for land, the look of the sky, or the way Bishop of Ottawa God has given us to share that love COVID-19 will soon emerge!” light falls on leaves or snow will bring with others—through words, actions, As this autumn season unfolds, I me back there. As good as it is to be in wild places, technologies, strategies, medicines, pray that nature will provide each of I have been lucky enough to spend nature breaks through everywhere. and all forms of justice. you with rich signs of Christ’s irre- time in many natural places in When you look to the sky from any As I write this, a late-summer storm pressible grace, God’s abundant love, Canada and abroad over the years, in location, or alongside a river, or at has made its way across much of and the steady fellowship of the Holy forests, mountains, prairies, deserts, creatures in the trees on a city street, our diocese, replete with severe wind Spirit, giving you solace and insight rivers, lakes, and oceans.