The church has phyically closed it's doors, but we are staying in touch. Please check out Events and News on the website and tune in to regular Live Feeds from Rev. Elizabeth at 10am Sundays and 11:30 Wednesdays which appear on the home page. Keep in touch with the Diocese of British Columbia during this time of isolation at https://bc.anglican.ca/events/daily-devotions
ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA CLOSES ITS DOORS IN LIGHT OF COVID-19
Bishop Logan McMenamie has ordered all churches in the diocese closed for all public use, including worship, for sixty (60) days effective immediately.
" We know churches are places of refuge, celebration and commemoration for folks from all walks of life, but the church is more than just its buildings. We are working collaboratively across our region to find creative ways to remain pastorally present to people at a time when the assurance offered in the life of faith is so critical. At the same time however, we take seriously the government's call on jurisdictions across the country to strengthen their proactive responses to contain and slow the spread of this disease. This is one way we can do our part to show our care and concern for the most vulnerable in our communities," says McMenamie.
Here at St Mark’s we are working together to plan and help keep the faith journey alive and active in this holy season. The recent COVID 19 is calling each of us into our desert place, and we know that it is a place of some anxiety and fear. Please know that like Jesus, none of us are alone on this journey
We’re building a calling team in order to keep in touch with each other – please, if you know of anyone who needs help, either with groceries, or a calming prayer, or any pastoral need, please call the church office at 250-752-5414. Please know that together, we will pray for, and uphold everyone in this time.
In case of Pastoral emergency please call the Rev Elizabeth at 250-240-2418 or Chenda Bishop at 250-947-9788 or Terry Roberts at 250-240-4330.
We have people on “stand-by” to deliver food, and a prayer team to ease your anxieties. Keep calm and Pray on!
Joe offered this prayer that has come from a friend in Ireland...
Lockdown
Yes there is fear. Yes there is isolation. Yes there is panic buying. Yes there is sickness. Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise you can hear the birds again. They say that after just a few weeks of quiet the sky is no longer thick with fumes but blue and grey and clear. They say that in the streets of Assisi people are singing to each other across the empty squares, keeping their windows open so that those who are alone may hear the sounds of family around them. They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound. Today a young woman I know is busy spreading fliers with her number through the neighbourhood So that the elders may have someone to call on. All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way All over the world people are waking up to a new reality To how big we really are. To how little control we really have. To what really matters. To Love. So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear. But there does not have to be hate. Yes there is isolation. But there does not have to be loneliness. Yes there is panic buying. But there does not have to be meanness. Yes there is sickness. But there does not have to be disease of the soul Yes there is even death. But there can always be a rebirth of love. Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe. Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic The birds are singing again.
The sky is clearing, Spring is coming, And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul And though you may not be able to touch across the empty square, Sing.
-from Richard Hendrick in Ireland March 13th 2020