Dear friend,
I want to invite you to join us for a celebration of the Holy Eucharist at St Barnabas on Sunday, July 19 at 10 am. It may seem strange to receive an invitation to a church you regularly attend (or used to), but this is no ordinary occasion: we are returning to the church to worship together for the first time in over four months. Therefore, think of it as an invitation to a family reunion, where brothers and sisters meet again to celebrate in the Father’s home.
Kindly consider extending this invitation to a family member or friend. At every large family reunion, there are usually one or two new people who have been invited. Do you know of anyone who has seen the videos of our worship and shown an interest? If so, please ask them to join you.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
* Masks must be worn. We will provide masks for anyone who needs them.
* You will be seated by one of the ushers after you arrive.
* Physical distancing must be adhered to while waiting to enter church and when seated. Members of the same family may sit together.
* The Order of Service for that day, along with the readings and notices, will have been placed in the pews several days earlier. Please use this during the service and take it with you when you leave.
* Restrooms are closed except for emergencies.
* The Lounge, Office and Great Hall will be closed.
* There will be music but we will be unable to sing.
* Offerings can be left in the collection plate at the end of the aisle.
* Communion will be in one kind only. Communicants will line up before the altar to receive the host in the palm of their hand. The sacrament can be consumed once you are back in your pew.
* In this warmer weather, members may wish to bring bottled water to the service.
* Hand sanitizers will be available in the church.
* There will be no coffee hour after the service. However, a “virtual” coffee hour via Zoom will begin at 11:30 am.
On Sunday, July 19, we gather in the church building i.e. the Sanctuary. The following Sunday, July 26, we will hold an outdoor service (weather permitting.) All are invited, but we ask that all members, especially those with underlying health conditions, carefully assess the risk to themselves before attending. We cannot guarantee the absolute safety of the church, but be assured that we will have done everything possible to minimize the risk to members.
The experience of being in church won’t be the same as before. We are learning to adapt – a basic rule of survival – and trusting in God to guide us through this testing time, aware that God is among us and will bless us as we go forward.
By the way, if you aren’t sure if this is the right time for you to return to church, then don’t worry. We will continue to offer a service online services as before. Please see the Sunday morning email for a link to the service.
With every blessing,
Father David