Never did I ever imagine that I would have to review vaccination policy documents as part of my role as a ministry personnel within the United Church of Canada… but as I and many others have learned over the course of the past 24 months of pandemic life: Never say never!
Yes, the United Church of Canada recently released to the Regions of the Church a document entitled “Communities of Faith and Vaccination Policies”. The Region has in turn released the document to local faith communities, encouraging them to reflect on its contents and act faithfully.
The Executive of Sackville United Church in considering the issue of vaccines and our responsibility to care for our neighbours, in a letter emailed to all for whom we have email addresses, offered in part:
As COVID-19 continues to be a reality, the Executive of Sackville United is encouraging people to love their neighbour and get doubly vaccinated. Being vaccinated provides protection for you and your household and for those in the larger community who cannot be vaccinated, including children under 12 years of age.
and,
Because #WEARENEIGHBOURS Sackville United Church will continue to record in-person attendance at Sunday Gatherings and follow enhanced sanitation protocols. Participants will be required to wear masks. The Sunday School, whenever possible, will meet outdoors. Options for online participation will continue to be offered. Smaller groups of adults (six or less) meeting indoors, where physical distancing between participants is possible, may make a collective decision to remove masks.
You can read the complete letter here.
I, members of the Executive, the leaders of our Sunday School leaders and other leaders in our congregation seek your prayerful support as we continue to strive to make faithful decisions that will contribute to the greater good of all – especially as we plan to resume Sunday School next Sunday!
Faithfully, Lloyd
Looking Ahead
Today I am in the office until noon for various meetings and visits. In the afternoon I am in Moncton for meetings.
On Tuesday morning I will host our regular Preacher’s Help Group at 10:30AM via Zoom. There is always room for more helpers! Drop me a note and I’ll send you the link. In the afternoon while Rasta is getting his fall haircut I’ll be doing some pastoral visits.
Wednesday will be a work from home day as my truck will be getting its fall cleaning – to remove summer sand and ice cream spills that occurred as we travelled back and forth to the shore!
Thursday is open at the open at the moment – but in all likelihood it won’t be for long. I learned long ago that real ministry, the deeply meaningful encounters occur in the unscheduled and unexpected!
Friday will be a day off and on Saturday I look forward to gathering with others at the market in the morning to mark Neighbour Day. Drop by and say hello!
On Sunday we will gather at 11AM for our Regular Sunday Gathering. The Sunday School will gather at Bill Johnstone Memorial Park for their first time together in the Season of Creation.
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