On November 24 Glenview Session decided that there will be no worship services in the building "until further notice". This means there is no date for resuming services in sight. Some of the current restrictions for gatherings in Toronto will end on or around December 21. At this time it is likely they will be renewed. Others have no end date. For the first time the limits on gatherings apply in full to places of worship. No more than ten people are allowed to gather for religious ceremonies, indoors or outdoors.
If restrictions are lifted in late December it will still be impossible to prepare on site services for Christmas Eve. Preparations are well underway for Christmas worship online. Advent programs are set to begin.
For any foreseeable future, the church must live online.
Our online worship provisions are evolving. We're learning as we go. Those who participate find it a worthwhile experience.
We rely heavily on Zoom. I know some of you are afraid to use Zoom on your computers or devices. It is proven to be safe. It can be uninstalled after each use and reinstalled for each meeting. If you choose not to participate in a Zoom meeting, or you don't have a camera and microphone on your computer, you can phone in via a local number. You can even do that while you're watching on your computer screen.
I'll say it again: As far as worship, gatherings, and programs are concerned, the church must live online. Our website is now the hub of our congregational life.
Please read the following information carefully, and share it with others you may know are not online.
GLENVIEW CHRISTMAS FAIR will go ahead, online. There will be an online store, through which you can view all items for sale and see how many are available. You can easily purchase online through a secure platform, Shopify. You can pay online. You can also choose to pay by cheque when you pick up your purchases. Or pay by e-transfer to Glenview.
We will announce when the online store is open. It will be linked through our website. Pick-up days will also be announced, when curbside delivery will be available. We can also provide contactless delivery if necessary. Sale dates and times will be announced soon in another email, on our website, by word of mouth, and other advertising. Please support your congregation by participating in the sale and recommending it to your family and friends.
2020 OFFERING ENVELOPES are available now. They will be mailed to regular users who we know can't access other ways to give. Mailing envelopes is a costly endeavour. If you would like to receive your envelopes by mail, please email or call the Church Office. Please consider an extra contribution of $10 to help with the cost of postage.
If you haven't already done so, please consider 1) enrolling in Pre-Authorized Remittance (PAR) or 2) contributing onIine through Canada Helps or 3) submitting your contribution via Interac e-Transfer. Instructions are on our website, right there on the Home Page. You can, of course, mail cheques to the church or drop a securely sealed envelope through the mail slot in the office door (in the driveway behind the building).
Thank you for your generosity through this strange and troubling time. We've been doing well, though we're well behind meeting our budget. Offerings in October have declined. This may be due to COVID fatigue, or an assumption that Glenview's expenses are down due to the shutdown. Please remember that your church lives on. Bills and salaries must still be paid. Staff work hard to make sure ministry is available to everyone.
ACCESS TO THE BUILDING is restricted to Staff, and they are expected to work at home whenever possible. If you need to come to the building, even if it's just a stop at the door, please arrange a time tin advance. If possible, give 24 hours' notice. Monday through Thursday email or call the Church Office (office@glenviewchurch.ca and copy to james@glenviewchurch.ca). On Friday, access is further limited. Call the office, even if you were in touch on Thursday. If you pass by on Sunday you may notice that James is in the building. He has work to do, including cleaning areas that are occupied by others during the week.
God is with us in this challenging time. Advent begins with words of hope. Our hope isn't dependent on what we can see, or even imagine. It'd not diminished by current circumstance. It springs from the faithfulness of God.
Please remember our Staff in your prayers: Natalie, Jim, Linda, Andrea. James, Peter, Cameron, Parker, Donna, and our new Soprano Section Leader Juiana. They're all at work to sustain Glenview's ministry and mission.
Photo by Martin Sanchez on Unsplash