MESSAGE FROM REV. LINDA PARK & REV. BOB QUICK COVID 19
To St. Andrew’s Church Family from Your Ministers:
We hope you are keeping well during these strange and uncertain times. The last few weeks have been full of unprecedented changes in our lives and in our ministries. We know that many churches, as we are, are trying to figure out how to minister in a period of social distancing, how to serve the most at-risk populations in our communities, and how to sustain ministries as our financial offerings decline. None of us have been trained to do this. We’ve never ministered through an epidemic like the COVID-19 before. Fear and anxiety are everywhere. I’m sure you’re wrestling with it some too.
But God’s promise to us is that He will go through it with us. This virus didn’t surprise God. He will walk through every bit of it with us. We encourage you to remind yourself of Isaiah 43:2 during this time:
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze”
As many of you probably heard, our provincial government has declared all non-essential businesses to close as of March 24th. Therefore, Session directed the church to be closed beginning Wednesday (March 25) morning this week.
During such times communication is key, and both of us, Rev. Bob and Rev. Linda will be available via phone, email, messaging, etc. We are working on providing a regular/weekly video message from your ministers that will be available to view on the church webpage and Facebook.
As a church family we want to be there for you and help you in any way we can safely. We have a number of church members who are willing to run errands for you, pick up and make deliveries for you if you are unable to go out.
For those who want to have support cards, Bill Crawford has agreed to deliver them. People can call or email the church and place the order. Bill will deliver the cards to people’s mailboxes in exchange for cheques, so there is no face to face contact.
We want to also encourage everyone to check-in on others. Picture those who sit around you on Sunday morning and check-in with them. If someone is in distress let us know. For those who are already making phone calls regularly, thank you. Please pass along church news as you can. Let us know if there are any questions or if you need help.
A Good News Story: Our Mission and Outreach team along with our Soup Kitchen/Sunday Supper leaders have been working on how to help those who are most in need and have been depending on us to provide a hot meal several times a week.
Beginning this coming Monday (30th) they are launching Lunch Box ministry. Box lunches will be prepared and made available to be picked up just outside our soup kitchen entrance off Peel St. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for a half hour from 11:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Financial donations are welcomed to help offset the cost. (See below for added message from Outreach and Missions Committee)
Our treasurer and finance committee are working diligently to create ways for us to provide a cash flow to meet our financial obligations when there are no weekly Sunday Services. They are working on ways to help you make your weekly or monthly monetary offering, including E-Transfers, pick-up and drop-off opportunities and other ways. We will keep you informed. Your continued and regular financial support is crucial in these difficult times.
Let us rest in this truth. This virus didn’t sneak up on God. It won’t stop the church. Jesus himself reminds us that “all the powers of hell will not conquer” the church. (Matthew 16:18 NIV). Let us rest in that truth
Blessings,
Rev Linda and Rev Bob