Page 4 - PC Issue 14 Summer 2020
P. 4

4 SUMMER 2020
PRESBYTERIAN
Connection
FEATURE (continued)
presbyterian.ca
 Continued from page 1
Jen Ostach-Gooch, Cyclical PCC participant.
A new virtual home church — Prairie Presbyterian Church, Winnipeg, Man.
Jen Ostach-Gooch, a Cyclical PCC participant and worship and outreach ministry leader at Prairie Presbyte- rian Church in Winnipeg, had long dreamed of starting an intergenera- tional home church. For weeks she had built relationships with young families and was preparing for their first home church gatherings, but
then the time of social distancing hit. At first, Jen was discouraged and ready to postpone the meetings until things went back to normal. But when it became obvious that we weren’t going to be returning to nor- mal anytime soon, and she sensed God’s continued call, she changed direction. As Jen explains, “It took some time to figure out what the next step should be after the launches were cancelled. Although I was filled with doubt and insecurity, I knew that none of this is about me. It’s about God, it’s about people, and it’s about finding authentic ways to help people connect with God.”
Jen decided to call parents to- gether for an online meeting for a time of sharing and prayer after their children had gone to bed. There was some reluctance in the group when she pitched the idea, but to her sur- prise, everyone came. As the con- versation star ted and people began to share, you could see nodding heads fill the screen; the discussion, suppor t and prayer were exactly what was needed at that moment. The ministry didn’t have the launch it expected, but Jen is confident that the bonds created during this time will lay a firm foundation for the ministry when it is able to gather in person. Her advice for other leaders at this time is to “push past your
own feelings about yourself and trust the discernment work you’ve done.” God will lead us all where we need to go in our ministries at this time, if we trust and listen.
Ecumenical drive-in church — Chatham–Kent, Ont.
When it first became apparent that it was no longer safe for churches to stay open because of COVID-19, var- ious congregations in the Chatham– Kent region of Ontario came up with a unique way for people to worship together at a safe distance: drive-in church! It started as a local initia- tive by a couple of congregations, and others soon wanted to join in, including Knox Presbyterian in Wal- laceburg, Ont. Barbara Sargent—a lay minister at Knox—attended one of the first drive-in gatherings. She was so inspired by the par ticipa- tion and connection forged through this unique form of worship that she encouraged her congregation to get on board: “The first time I went out there I was just par ticipating, and it was uplifting to see other people and be able to worship together yet apart. You can do worship online, but there was something special about being together even while apar t.”
Harkening back to the days of drive-in movies, worshippers tune
in to the service through a radio fre- quency that is broadcast into their cars. Parked at a safe distance from one another in a church parking lot, they listen to the scripture readings, music and a message from leaders inside the church. It is an unexpect- edly engaging form of community worship, as those in their cars wave to one another and honk their horns to say “Amen.”
For a rural community with an older population, this form of church at a social distance was especially meaningful. Not only did the format remind seniors of their youth, but also the services were purposefully packed with joy, levity and playful- ness—a welcome way of worship- ping in uncer tain times.
The drive-in worship services were cancelled after three weeks because of stricter provincial guide- lines regarding social gatherings; however, those who led and par tici- pated are looking forward to coming together again for drive-in church when those restrictions are lifted. Barbara Sargent is sure that, when the time comes, people will be back honking their horns and praising God together as par t of this ecumenical and creative form of worship.
Thank you to all The Presbyterian Church in Canada ministries and congregations who have responded
“Our group gathering has been an amazing opportunity to come together as a community in Christ and pray together. That is the most important thing this precious time together has meant to us. Of course, that beautiful human element of catching up and chatting is just gravy!” —virtual home church participant.
to the challenges posed and op- portunities presented by COVID-19. More stories from congregations and ministries about their creativ- ity, positivity and resilience during COVID-19 are in the News section, starting on p. 29.
   MESSAGE FROM THE MODERATOR
Reflecting on Tragedy in Rural Nova Scotia
By the Rev. Amanda Currie, Moderator of 2019 General Assembly
On April 19, before I heard about the violent rampage in rural Nova Sco- tia, I preached on John 20:19–31 in which Jesus came to his fright- ened and bewildered disciples in the locked room, where they were sheltering themselves. The Risen Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” He breathed on them and gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit to comfort, en- courage and empower them for their mission.
I invited those who were worship- ping online with the church commu- nity I serve to look for the presence of Jesus standing beside them in their homes, in their work, in their grief and struggle, and in our wor- ship and fellowship together even in these unsettling and scary days of the COVID-19 pandemic. I reminded people to breathe and to know that God’s Spirit is in them, around them and between them. And I sang to
them from “Here I Am,” a hymn by Tom Booth: “Here I am, standing right beside you. Here I am; do not be afraid. Here I am, waiting like a lover. I am here; here I am.”
Together with Canadians across the country, I was shocked and sad- dened by news from Nova Scotia as we moved through the rest of that Sunday. I could hardly believe that these small, friendly, rural commu- nities had just experienced the worst mass shooting in Canadian history. As I listened to a community mem- ber on the news commenting that Portapique was not the kind of place where people locked their doors, but maybe they would think about doing it now, my thoughts returned to the disciples in their locked room.
I began to pray in that moment, that the people of Por tapique and the other affected communities would have an experience of Jesus standing beside them in the midst of their fear. I prayed that those who have suddenly lost their loved ones would know the Spirit’s consola-
tion as close as their own breath. I prayed with gratitude for the mem- bers of the RCMP and other emer- gency personnel who hurried to the aid of those communities, putting themselves at risk and doing every- thing they could to put an end to the violence.
The death toll rose in the days following April 19. Among the dead were teachers, nurses, social work- ers, people running errands, a family of three, neighbours trying to help, parents and RCMP Constable Heidi Stevenson, a 23-year veteran and married mother of two. As a church,
let us keep all the families of those who were killed and the communi- ties they were from in our prayers.
Let us also pray for the pastors and churches of Nova Scotia, es- pecially the Rev. Andrew Campbell and the people of St. James Presby- terian Church in Truro, that they will know Christ’s presence standing beside them and the Spirit’s breath equipping and empowering them as they minister to the hur ting people of their communities. Especially in this current context of staying home and physical distancing, may the church find faithful and inspired ways to share God’s love with those who are grieving.
The first place I visited after be- coming moderator last summer was Nova Scotia. I enjoyed the beauty of the province and the warmth and hospitality of the people. My hear t breaks with the thought of the pain and sorrow that they are experienc- ing. May the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding com- for t them.
 
































































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