We are in the Amber Stage of pandemic reopening. This week, we are still talking about what entering the church buildings will look like, so all worship services and Bible studies are online. Stay tuned, as in-church services in a few of our chapels are tentatively schedule for October 11...
The Amber Stage does mean that pastoral visits are allowed, with safety protocols in place: 
  • Physical distancing is required at all in-person pastoral visits. Face coverings are strongly recommended.
  • In-person pastoral visits should not be undertaken to people who are self-isolating or to those who are currently experiencing any of the symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Do not shake hands or hug.
  • Clerics or pastoral visitors are to be healthy and without an underlying medical condition that makes them vulnerable.
  • If Anointing the Sick, the anointer is to wash hands before and after the anointing.
  • If Communion is part of the pastoral visit, it is to be from Reserved Sacrament and to be​ bread only. Hands are to be washed before and after Communion.
  • Clerics and pastoral visitors must self-screen for symptoms of COVID-19 or other illnesses before visiting. Do not visit if there is any sign of illness. 
Read all of the protocols from the Diocese of Huron for the Amber Stage here.

    Stay up-to-date! Subscribe to our parish newsletter. Note: You need to enter your email address only once. If you are not receiving the newsletter after subscribing, check your junk or spam folder! 

Past newsletters can be found here in the newsletter archive.
​WORSHIP SERVICES

Parish services, meditations, studies, and diocesan updates from
Sunday, March 15 | Lent 3
to
this current Sunday
ARE AVAILABLE/FINDABLE ON OUR WORSHIP VIDEOS PAGE. 

We have a worship schedule, which organizes the weekly participation of each of our churches in our online services. We need readers, intercessors, and musicians to help! For readings and prayers, this could be as simple as calling Justin, who can record you over the phone. It is a great encouragement to your fellow parishioners to hear your voice. Please be in touch with your church wardens and worship coordinators if you are able to participate. 
From the Diocese of Huron
 Picture
MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Parish council will next meet Thursday, October 15, at 7 pm via Zoom. If you are a member of parish council, you will receive that link via email.

The parish Bible study, "Outside These Walls", is held each Wednesday at 1 pm via Zoom. It focuses on how we can live our faith in this time of isolation, when we're unable to meet together in person. If you wish to join us, write to ask for the link (for web or phone -- you can just phone in if that works best for you). If you receive a parish newsletter, the link is posted there. 

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 protocols to keep everyone safe! 

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 the community and for 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 Sarnia Bluewater Health 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 community in keeping it stocked.