Mid-Easter update from Fr. Chris

Dear friends,

Amy and I and the girls are doing very well. Homeschooling Clara has been a challenge both because her sisters are distruptive and because she thrives in a classroom environment. We are missing family and hope that the social distancing measures will soon be relaxed somewhat to allow for visits.We're certainly thankful to be living in our new home in Mono Mills. 

+++

Thank you very much to those who have responded to our survey on how St. James has adapted to the pandemic. All of the feedback has been very helpful and encouraging. Though we've yet to hear from everyone, such an overwhelming majority of respondents thus far have requested the following changes that they can be implemented right away:

• There will now be only 3 e-blasts per week (Sunday, Tuesday and Friday). Previously there were 6 e-blasts per week and many felt that this overloaded their inboxes. The website will still be updated daily, so visit as often as you'd like, especially if you want to view the latest recording of our weekday evening services. You can do so here.
• Evening Prayer on Wednesdays at 4:30pm will be offered from the St. James sanctuary using the traditional language Book of Common Prayer. As with the other weekday evening services, this will be live-streamed on our Facebook page and recorded for on-demand viewing afterwards on our website here. You can also find the order of service attached as a PDF document.If you would like a copy of the Book of Common Prayer to use in your home, please let me know and I will gladly deliver one to you.

In the coming weeks, look for online courses (Christian Foundations and Following Jesus: first steps along the Way), short devotional videos on Anglican collects, and guided, practical studies on the Epistle & Gospel of the week. 

Thank you so much for your continued support of St. James and your participation in our online events and services during these extraordinary times.

Special thank you to our wardens, David Finch & Claire Olorenshaw and our treasurer, Todd Hillhouse for their outstanding leadership. Thank you to our pastoral care team, including Valerie Jones and Ruth Sowrey, and everyone who is keeping in touch with one another over the phone. Thank you to Diane Allengame and Donna Davies for their Communications ministry. Look for the newsletter to be published in the coming weeks.

Finally, I encourage you to continue to keep the 40 day Easter feast by enjoying good and rich food! Bask in the glory of this beautiful Caledon springtime! Pray, read Scripture and sing hymns! Light a Paschal candle as a sign of Christ's presence in your home (a limited number of beeswax candles are available from the church. I would be glad to deliver one to you. Please let me know if you would like one).

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

In Resurrection joy,

+ Chris