Page 9 - PC Winter 2023-24

Connection
How Covid Started Something New
A Partnership between Knox Ospringe and Paris Presbyterian
presbyterian.ca
WINTER 2023
By the Rev. Joel Sherbino, Paris Presbyterian Church in Paris, Ont., and International Mission Staff to Malawi.
Covid has challenged churches in many ways. Yet even in the midst of the challenges comes potential for new opportunities. Prior to Covid, Knox Presbyterian Church, Ospringe, a rural church east of Guelph,Ont.,waswithoutapastor and had to rely on guest preach- ers, which were hard to come by.
When Covid hit and in-person services were halted, Knox Os- pringe was unable to provide an online service, so the congrega- tion began to look for one. This is where they found us—Paris Presbyterian Church. From their homes, they began to watch our live stream, and some members took part in our after-service on- line Q&A.
A new opportunity
When restrictions were lifted, and the Knox Ospringe congregants could resume worship in their own building, they decided to do something different and offer their members a hybrid program by in- corporating our live stream service with their in-person gathering.
What it looks like
Sunday mornings, Knox Ospringe congregants meet at their church, and their organist plays as peo- ple gather. They begin with their own welcome and announce- ments before, together, watching
the live-stream service from our church—which includes music, prayer and a message. Following the live stream, Knox Ospringe takes 10 minutes to discuss the message, pray for their commu- nity and for one another, and then conclude by singing one or two familiar hymns before gathering for coffee and tea.
Our “live stream” is pre-re- corded. We intentionally avoid filming from our church building and instead look for locations that hopefully make it seem as if we’re sitting in the viewers’ living room. By doing it this way, we can fo- cus our service primarily on those watching online.
The results
It is wonderful to see how this par tnership is growing and we view Knox Ospringe as a satellite location. Members of Knox church have joined our church (Paris Presbyterian) for an online Alpha course. And Knox has implement- ed their versions of some of our outreach initiatives, one of which is a food ministry where they pro- vide weekly groceries for over 20 families in their community.
This past summer I (the pas- tor at Paris) dropped in on Knox Ospringe and joined them for their service. It was great to be able to meet with them in-person and to hear about their lives and their enjoyment of this hybrid oppor- tunity. (The people at Knox were surprised by my height 6’6’’—I guess the camera subtracts inch- es...) As well, a few of their folks had joined us for one of our back- yard bonfires and BBQ this sum- mer. It was great to see people who have only met online be able to make even further in-person connections.
We are excited to celebrate with Knox the possible baptism of one of the volunteers in the food
Paris Presbyterian Church in Paris, Ont.
PRESBYTERIAN
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ministry program in the near fu- ture, and we are thinking of other ways to deepen the relationship between the two churches.
A few testimonies
David, one of Knox’s elders has this to say about the partnership: “We are inspired and grateful to be a part of it. We make it our own—for me, I like to think of it as a ‘house church’—intimate worship. The quality and selec- tion of the worship music is im- possible for us to reproduce live without the musicians being in our congregation. The quality of the message genuinely speaks to life for our congregation and the timing of the message is often ex- actly right. Paris’s vision of align- ment with community syncs per- fectly with what we aspire to be. When they say “#ForParis” (our tagline) we hear ‘#ForOspringe.’”
The Rev. Pye Chew, the Interim Moderator for Knox is in full sup- port of this initiative even though our churches are in different pres- byteries. “I am indeed grateful for the ministry of Paris in the life of Knox Ospringe PC. The Paris live stream has renewed the worship approach at Knox. It is amazing that Paris can provide help to an- other church in another presby- tery. There are 13 other churches in our presbytery who are vacant and have difficulties finding pulpit supply. The Knox Ospringe situa- tion is a very unique situation, and we give thanks to God for this.”
What are the benefits?
As a satellite of our church, Knox Ospringe has consistent preach- ing and music, and their over- all costs have been reduced, as they no longer need to cover pulpit supply. The start-up cost was minimal—requiring only an
overhead projector and a mem- ber’s phone with data to stream the service. The greatest benefits, however, are the new life that has been brought to Knox, the mis- sional oppor tunity for Paris to partner with Knox, and the rela- tional connection between the two churches.
We are excited to see what God will continue to do next in both our communities.
So what about you?
Perhaps there are opportunities to see this happen in some way with your church. If you would like to chat further, we would be happy to connect. Email joel@ parispresb.ca. In any case, check out the live stream: youtube.com/ user/parispresbyterian.
Praying for Peace
Pray for all who are affected and threatened by war, and for an end to violence. May there be a just peace in the land of Christ’s birth.
God of truth, mercy and peace,
God of life and of reconciliation,
we mourn the suffering and murder of your people and we pray for a just peace
and reconciliation for the people of Palestine and Israel who have endured the burden of violence and conflict for so long.
Console those who grieve, heal the injured,
comfort those who are alone and afraid,
protect those who are held hostage, and
restrain those who would cause more violence
or act cynically for political gain and power.
Let wisdom settle on your churches
and on the governments and leaders of this world
so that justice is sought, reconciliation found,
peace established and security provided for all.
In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
After worship at Knox Presbyterian Church, Ospringe, with the Rev. Joel Sherbino (back row, far right).