Virtual Voices - 83rd edition Virtual Voices The Video E-Newsletter of Mount Royal United Church for Friday February 19th 2022 Welcome to our eighty third edition of the Mount Royal United Church Video E-Newsletter. You will find the video at the bottom of this message. If you have any news items or information you think we should be including in an upcoming e-newsletter, please send your suggestion to newsletters@mountroyaluc.ca
we will do our very best to put it on for you. A quick reminder that our Sunday Service is live streamed from the sanctuary beginning at 10:30 AM and can also be watched later on the church website. The Prelude will begin at 10:15 AM with music and the announcement slides before the service begins
with Rev. Stuart. This video will be produced and sent out weekly on Friday morning with all the important things from our faith community. We plan to keep them short so you have time to drink a cup of tea or coffee while you watch. We hope you have a very good day today. Best Regards, Newsletter Committee YES THERE IS IN PERSON ATTENDANCE FOR THE SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE THIS WEEK IT IS ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE LIVE STREAM Message from the Chair of Council - Susan Fowler We had an interesting February Council meeting this past Tuesday. We talked about the upcoming Annual Meeting, nominations to the incoming Council and, as always, finances. We also talked about how, as the Government of New Brunswick gradually lifts COVID restrictions, how we can make the sanctuary feel like a safe and welcoming place for in person worship. For the umpteenth time, we allowed ourselves to be hopeful and talked about when we might be able to celebrate being back together. February 18th at 11:59 PM, New Brunswick moves to a revised Level 1 of the NB Winter Plan. You can read the details for faith gatherings here. https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/corporate/promo/covid-19/news/news_release.2022.02.0070.html Have a listen as Cathy Elderkin and I chat this week about what those requirements mean for us as well as this week's worship service and a different interpretation of the message for Transfiguration Sunday on the 27th. We need to get people back in the sanctuary for a sense of community and fellowship which people have greatly missed during COVID. We are looking forward to the time when we can safely reopen the kitchen and again invite you to coffee and conversation or a pancake breakfast or spaghetti dinner. We intend to go slow and listen to your suggestions. Yes, I am aware that restaurants will open without capacity restrictions. Remember, we will never ask less of attendees than government requirements state. To date, only a very small number of people have come to in person worship. I recognize that everyone has their own personal level of comfort. Some people will want to remain home, either because of health concerns due to the pandemic or they have come to enjoy the comfort of watching from home in housecoat and slippers, coffee in hand. I know some people are less comfortable with the province dropping the requirements to social distance while others are thrilled to sit together again with their former pew mates. If all parties are comfortable, please feel free to sit with whomever you wish. Unless the sanctuary is full, I believe we will be able to safely accommodate your wishes for distancing or sitting together. We will leave the tape up for a short while longer just to see what happens with COVID numbers and comfort and gnb requirements as restrictions loosen. If there is a demand for seating, we will open up the pews. Thank you to the people that have very graciously shared with me when they will be ready to return to the sanctuary. Some people have told me it will only be when: they no longer have to social distance (that time is now!) or they can hug or handshake again; there are no mask requirements or at least you don't have to wear a mask to sing or when coffee and conversation starts up again. If you would like to share with me confidentially whether you plan to return and under what conditions, I would love to hear from you. Please email me at councilchair@mountroyaluc.ca I hope you enjoy your weekly announcements and I look forward to seeing you in person soon. As always, feel free to contact me with your comments or concerns. Stay well and watch the ice we are expecting this weekend. Susan Fowler Council Chair Mount Royal United Church 506-855-7008
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