Dear Church, 

I greet you in the name of the triune God: Lover, Beloved and Love. 

I am happy to inform you that our application to move to Phase II has been approved by the diocese. This means that we have permission to resume in-person services. 

After reviewing the results of the parish survey, and in conversation with the wardens, we have decided to start by offering Night Prayer – a simple 20-30 minute service – at 5pm on Sundays. This service will be broadcast and recorded. Initially, this will be the only in-person service, and we will continue to offer our main Sunday morning service completely recorded and online. 

We made this decision to give us an opportunity to practice our new safety protocols, as well as to work out the novel technological aspects of broadcasting and recording services from the church building. 

Our first opportunity to gather together will be Sunday September 20th at 5pm. 

Attending this or other services will require registering in advance, as there is limited seating to allow for physical distancing. To register, call the church office and leave a message (604-898-5100) or send an email to info@squamishanglicanchurch.ca. You will have to wait for a response to confirm your registration.

Safety is our number one concern, so, we will cancel a service or move back to Phase I if necessary.

As well, please do not come if you are uncomfortable, nervous, at risk, or showing any symptoms.

You will be able to find our application to the diocese on our website, in the church building, as well as attached to this email. However, I wanted to highlight several things we have done to get the space ready:

  1. Most of the pews have been removed to allow for physical distancing.
  2. The books and materials from the back of the pews have been removed. 
  3. Spots for people to sit have been marked with tape to allow for physical distancing. 
  4. Hand sanitizer and disposable masks has been purchased and will be made available. 
  5. The building has been sanitized. 
  6. The washrooms have been closed, except for the single accessible stall. This will be for emergencies only, and there will be materials and directions in it so that it may be sanitized after each use.  

Apart from registering ahead of time, the services will also be different in the following ways:

  1. The doors will open 15 minutes before the service starts. 
  2. Volunteers will take contact information from each household, in case there is a need to do contact tracing. This information will be kept for 30 days.  
  3. You will then be asked to take a mask if you do not already have one, take a bulletin, and sanitize your hands. 
  4. Volunteers will show you to a specific seat. Once you are seated, we ask you to not move. They will also help direct the emptying of the sanctuary. 
  5. No congregational singing will be possible at this point. 
  6. We will have to leave the building immediately following the service. 

It’s going to be different, it’s going to be a little strange. However, I am looking forward to gathering in-person to pray with whoever is comfortable in the coming weeks. 

If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to reach out. 

I pray that you may be well, and that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. 

Yours in Christ, 

 

Cameron 

Downloads