Page 30 - PC Issue 14 Summer 2020

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PRESBYTERIAN
SUMMER 2020
presbyterian.ca
Connection
NEWS
Much has been accomplished by a very small group of volunteers in restoring the sanctuary of St. Matthew’s Presbyterian Church in Grand Falls-Windsor following the fire of October 2019. Work has officially been suspended in response to the COVID-19 virus.
When a Virus Turns Church Life Upside Down
By Lynne Allan, Elder, St. Matthew’s Presbyterian Church in Grand Falls- Windsor, N.L.
Our world at St. Matthew’s Presbyte- rian Church in Grand Falls-Windsor, N.L., was turned upside down last Oc- tober when fire destroyed our sanctu- ary. Since then, our congregation has been blessed with offers of venues for our monthly services until our own building is restored. While one meet- ing place was too big for our relatively small number, another was not quite big enough. It wasn’t long after we’d found a chapel that was just the right size that our world was sent spinning again, this time by COVID-19.
As of mid-April, much work has been completed by a handful of vol- unteers to repair the fire, smoke and water damage. Before COVID-19 ar- rived in the province, it was hoped that the sanctuary would be ready for use for our June service or, at the latest, by September when St. Matthew’s will mark its 110th anniversary. Now work is officially suspended and we do the responsible things—we wait... and we continue to attend services. In this time of “new normal,” we have been welcomed into the fold of the other two Presbyterian congregations in Newfoundland and Labrador as we
attend their weekly online services. Both churches are located in St. John’s, which is 430 kilometres from Grand Falls-Windsor. St. David’s Pres- byterian Church is led by the Rev. David Stur tevant; St. Andrew’s Pres- byterian Church (The Kirk) by the Rev. Derek Krunys. Both ministers have preached from the pulpit of St. Mat- thew’s once David assumed the inter- im moderator position in May 2019. Both have provided comfor t and lead- ership to our congregation since the fire. Now, with COVID-19 dictating that we must not gather to worship, David and Derek are ministering to all three churches, having brushed up on their technical skills to bring worship services into our homes via YouTube
and web platforms.
On his technical skills, Derek says
he wasn’t star ting from scratch, but he has spent hours learning how to accomplish cer tain things he wants to do. His first online service was re- corded in The Kirk with Glenn Chafe providing both vocal and organ ac- companiment for the hymns. When Derek’s wife, Yasmin, returned from out of province, both were in self-iso- lation for 14 days, during which time the service moved to their home.
After doing more research and some test videos, Glenn has contin-
ued to play and sing for the services from his own home. Those who at- tended Derek’s live web service on Easter Sunday received Communion, having been asked in advance to have bread and wine set out for that pur- pose. Afterwards, there was time for a vir tual coffee hour, giving congrega- tion members a chance to see and have a visit with each other.
David’s services from St. David’s have been no less uplifting and com- forting in this uncertain time. As of mid-April, he has been alone in the church when recording his services. On Easter Sunday, he was not only alone in the sanctuary, but also in the dark and cold—not unlike a tomb. The only light came from three small candles representing Mary Magda- lene, Mary (the mother of James) and Salome, the three women who came to the tomb.
a community of friends and, more importantly, the means for food and income security.
Because of COVID-19, we tem- porarily closed the four kitchens that you have helped to create, that employ 27 staff. Just a few weeks into the closure, some of our staff
Online services are just one way the ministers have been reaching their congregations. David encour- ages his congregation to email and telephone to keep in touch. The Kirk has been emailing a weekend news- letter and transcripts of services to congregation members and mailing paper copies to those members who aren’t online. Elders have also been stepping up to keep in touch with those on their lists.
Both St. John’s churches have Facebook pages, as does St. Mat- thew’s. The page administrators keep followers advised of church news. St. Matthew’s follows up its Facebook posts with emails and texts to congregation members. Many members of the St. Matthew’s con- gregation are related and take care of each other, but for those who need help and support, the clerk of Ses-
already had to access emergency supports—mainly food.
Individuals on the Ontario Disabil- ity Support Program receive approxi- mately $1,169 per month, far below the poverty line of $1,767 per month. Their job at The Raw Carrot provides between 15% to 25% in additional in- come per month—ensuring that they can pay rent and meet their basic needs...all because they are capa- ble of working in a supported work environment. Your financial support (and volunteer time!) has provided that environment.
It’s at times like these that we can clearly see the impact of not having a job and the additional income that employment at The Raw Carrot pro- vides.
We know that Raw Carrot staff on social assistance don’t want to
sion and treasurer have offered their assistance.
There are other challenges to be faced when congregations aren’t al- lowed to gather. Offerings tend to be down and fundraisers have either been cancelled or are in limbo. The Kirk’s annual moose supper couldn’t be held in March and its lobster din- ner set for June is “very much up in the air,” according to Derek.
It’s hoped that congregations will continue to facilitate giving by using such means as CanadaHelps and e- Transfer. For those who don’t do online banking, St. Matthew’s has suggested that its members continue to put their offering in an envelope each month. It will then be ready to put in the offering plate when the time comes where we are once again allowed to worship to- gether. When that time comes, we will be sure to say Hallelujah!
have to access food banks and crisis supports, but their meagre income leaves them little choice but to ask, or beg, for help.
Your gifts of time, talent and treas- ure over the past six years have al- lowed The Raw Carrot to grow. YOU are part of the many congregations in Canada that give to Presbyterians Sharing, which helps to support this ministry.
During this break, we are taking time to be grateful; to reflect on all that your support has accomplished, and all the amazing and powerful ways that God has moved in this ministry.
We can’t wait to get back to the kitchen, back to friends and col- leagues, and back to work!
To learn more, visit therawcarrot.com.
Supporting Our Most Vulnerable
By Rebecca Sherbino, co-founder of The Raw Carrot
Are you feeling socially isolated and distanced right now? I know I am. This feeling is certainly more preva- lent as we all face the new realities of life amidst COVID-19.
Fortunately for many of us, this feeling of social isolation will be rela- tively short-lived. Before we know it, we will be back at work and spending time with family and friends again.
For staff at The Raw Carrot Soup
Enterprise, the feeling of social isola- tion is a much more familiar feeling. Staff members, like Monica, Nick and Lori, all face different challenges that create isolation; from physical, men- tal and developmental disabilities to living in poverty, they’ve often strug- gled with finding a supportive envi- ronment to thrive in.
Through your donations, prayers and congregational support of Pres- byterians Sharing, a supported job at The Raw Carrot has given amazingly talented people a place to belong,