COVID-19 Update on Services at St. James United Church
- Details
- Last Updated on Thursday, 16 April 2020 16:44
To help with slowing the spread of the COVID-19 virus and to ensure the health and well-being of our members, families and wider community we have decided to suspend all activities related to the church including worship services for the foreseeable future.
This is a difficult and challenging time for all of us, but we will get through it individually and collectively as we care for one another and our wider community.
God bless you and keep you.
St. James Annual Meeting
- Details
- Last Updated on Saturday, 18 January 2020 09:55
The St. James Annual Meeting is coming up. February 9: Joint Worship at St. James (11 a.m.) with St. James Annual Meeting to follow in the church hall.
Meet Our Minister
- Details
- Last Updated on Friday, 29 May 2020 19:33
“A time of (more) Sabbath rest: for our own good,
for the good of others, for the good of God’s creation!”
Dear Friends in Christ,
I leave you Monday, June 1 until early September. It would be my preference to say goodbye
in person with warm words and a hug, but sadly, that is not possible. We are living in a different
time.
I know many are tired of this new way of living and being that began in March, but it is for
our own good and for the health and wellbeing of others and the wider world. I am looking
forward to Sabbath rest and a time to re-charge. To say the last few months have been eventful
would be an understatement. So much has happened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to our
‘normal’ way of being in the world, especially in how we worship and relate to one another; and,
for me personally. However, this truth remains: while our buildings have been closed, church has
not closed. Not now. Not ever. God is with us as we continue to be the Living Church in the
World and as we navigate these new challenges before us. I continue to be inspired by your
resilience and our congregations’ imagination in finding ways to fulfil our mission in these
unprecedented times.
In preparing for my absence, your Joint Worship Committee has worked hard to recruit
leaders who will offer “Worship at Home.” Thank you to the St. James UCW, Connie Bazil,
Deanna Barkley and Ronda and Jeff Griesbach for offering to prepare worship materials over the
coming weeks. As well, your Pastoral Connections Team continues their ministry of presence,
care and compassion. Their names and phone numbers appear on page 2 and I encourage you to
hang on to this letter so you might stay in touch. Do not hesitate to call them for any reason even
if it is as simple as wanting to have a phone conversation. I extend my appreciation to all who are
sharing their gifts with our wider community and to each of you for being the church in the
world.
Until we are together again (in whatever form that might look like), have a blessed, restful,
healthy and safe summer. Continue to be the living church in the world. Keep washing your
hands. Don’t touch your face. Practice physical distancing. Rest often. Pray often. Worship God
and give thanks to God for the blessings of life. And, finally, laugh and smile every day!
Rev. Grant McNeil
Osgoode-Kars Pastoral Charge
The United Church of Canada
“Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.”