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Find the current parish newsletters, from January 2021 to present, in the current newsletter archive. You can join the mailing list from there!
Find the older pandemic newsletters, to November 2020, in the 2020 newsletter archive.
​WORSHIP SERVICES
With the latest lockdown, we are back to online services only. 

Worship services are held Sunday mornings at 10 am via Zoom.
​All are welcome! The link is in your parish newsletter.

Sermons and worship videos are available each Sunday on our SUNDAY WORSHIP page. 

Sermons, meditations, studies, and diocesan updates from
Sunday, March 15 | Lent 3
to
this current Sunday
ARE AVAILABLE/FINDABLE FROM
​OUR VIDEOS PAGE. 
Earth Week Challenge (April 18-24)

Following what we learned at the PWRDF Huron Creation Care webinar, our parish study group is undertaking the following six actions during Earth Week (April 18-24).

For one week, we will:
  1. REDUCE: Avoid single-use plastic or styrofoam items; avoid purchasing items packaged in plastic (e.g. bottled water, beverages).
  2. REUSE: Choose reusable bags, containers whenever possible; wash ziploc bags and other disposable items for reuse.
  3. RECYCLE: Choose recycled paper products, or paper with FSC sustainability certification.
  4. CHOOSE LOCAL: Choose local produce, meat and goods whenever possible.
  5. KEEP IT CLEAN: Pick up any litter that we see when out walking, and dispose of it properly. 
  6. SPREAD THE WORD: Bring up the subject of creation care in conversation with one person outside of the study group. (Even simply mention what we are doing for Earth Week!)

Will you join us in the Earth Week Challenge?
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MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Good news! The churches involved in the Lambton-Kent cluster of ministry are meeting regularly. Please keep those representing our churches, and the whole process, in your prayers!

The Parish Study Group is attending a Zoom series on Reconciliation led by National Indigenous Archbishop Mark MacDonald, Mondays at 6 pm from April 19 to May 17. Join us by registering here! 

The Highgate congregation will meet on Sunday, April 18, at 1:30 pm via Zoom with our Territorial Archdeacon to discuss disestablishment. 

Parish council will next meet Thursday, May 20, at 7 pm via Zoom. If you are a member of parish council, you will receive that link via email. 
​
The Archdeaconry of Lambton/Kent has been offering free mental wellbeing and coping strategy training, by Zoom, to parishioners who are interested in strengthening their understanding and skills.  The third session is coming up on Tuesday, May 25, and the good news is that you do not have to have attended the other two in order to attend this one!
How to Recognize & Help Someone Struggling with Mental Well-Being: May 25, 7-8 pm
​* A brief review of the most common mental illnesses and the signs & symptoms to recognize.
* A detailed description of empathy and non-judgmental listening techniques.
* The best practices to utilize in order to encourage a productive discussion with someone possibly struggling with their mental health.
Cost: The sessions are free because they are sponsored and paid for by our deanery.
Registration: Please register for each session by contacting CJ Adams at revcjadams at gmail.com .  Please send your name, email address, phone number, parish, and indicate that it is the May 25 session you would like to participate in.

The Christ Church Christian Foundations study group meets each Wednesday at 10 am by Zoom and phone. 

PANDEMIC OUTREACH
Individuals all around the parish are doing what they can to keep in touch with shut-ins, deliver groceries and cheer, and follow pandemic protocols to keep everyone safe!
​Here is the story from one of our points. Tell us yours!

It takes a village...
​The Village Stitchers (St. Matthew's and Florence Library) always accept donations of good quality yarn and cloth. Where they once worked together on articles for the local men's and women's shelters, meetings are, right now, cancelled until further notice.
But the Stitchers are stitching from home! They are making facemasks for community individuals and for clinics and group homes. If you need a mask, write to stmatthewsflorence at gmail.com and they will fix you up!
On April 16, at the request of the local hospital ICU, the Stitchers started a new project knitting hearts for COVID-19 patients, dying alone, and their remote grieving families. A heart is placed with the patient, while a matching heart is held by a loved one. In more cheerful news, these hearts are now going to a local retirement residence so residents and their families can "hold hearts" while physically distancing. 
St Matthew's has also set up a Little Free Pantry in the village of Florence and has been overwhelmed by the generosity of the pantry builder, the sign painter, the "landlord" (who installed a heater in winter!), and the community in keeping it stocked! 
The latest is a project that provides quilts for the shelters and the Westover Treatment Centre. They are cut by one Stitcher, and sewn, at home individually, by others.