Parish News
March 28, 2021
Dear Friends,
“We have this hope as an anchor (God’s promises through Jesus)
to the soul, strong and secure.” Hebrews 6: 19a
“We Have This Hope As an Anchor”
All the parishes where I previously served were alongside or very near the seacoast, so the image of our faith being an anchor – a huge, solid weight, for the protection and well-being of the entire ship – is a powerful image for me. Although our world is somewhat chaotic right now — although we don’t know exactly how soon or in what way the pandemic will be resolved — our God is all-powerful and unchanging. We can have confidence and security through him.
“Hope” today is often used in a tentative way (“I hope the rain will stop this afternoon”). But for the New Testament writers – not to mention Jesus Christ himself! – our hope in the Lord is strong and secure, and will see us through.
On Easter weekend, we will be focusing particularly on Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. We share in the death and resurrection of Jesus. The Anglican burial offices (which obviously focus on our resurrection) proclaim that we have “a sure and certain hope.” It is in light of this sure and certain hope that I write to you today.
When Will In-person Worship Resume on Sunday Mornings?
Well, that’s the million dollar question! Of course, we need to practice a very high degree of safe hygienic practices, not only for ourselves, but for others. That’s simply living out the two Great Commandments of Jesus (to love God, and to love others).
I had very much hoped that in-person worship at St. Brice’s would resume on Palm Sunday. However, the decision of Archbishop Anne, in consultation with the diocesan executive, was to postpone this. I cannot give an exact date at this time. I can tell you that the Archbishop has invited parish clergy to a meeting in the beginning of the Easter season, and when to re-open the parishes will be on the Agenda. I hope that I can communicate a re-opening date, as soon as that meeting concludes.
I take very seriously that as a servant of Jesus Christ, it’s my duty to offer opportunities for worship for everyone (not just people who have good computer connections), and to provide Holy Communion. I want to encourage you and to reassure you of my care for you, the flock, under our great Good Shepherd.
Vaccine Video
I will cheerfully receive whatever vaccine is offered to me. This is a vital part of the health strategy for all of us. I know there are parishioners who are “vaccine hesitant.” I encourage you to view the message I recorded, which is on the “COVID-19” banner on St. Brice’s website.
Contrasting Jesus and Judas – in the Old Testament
Many of us find parts of the Old Testament confusing, and would like to be equipped to understand it better. A bright young colleague of mine, Jeff Boldt, is hosting a webinar, about the Lord Jesus and the traitor Judas in the Old Testament. It will be offered very soon – Saturday, March 27, 1pm local time. If you would like to check it out, please go to the Anglican Communion Alliance website www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/anglican-communion-alliance-inc/events/two-shepherds-aca-webinar
Movie: I Can Only Imagine
Also this weekend – Sunday, March 28, 7pm – some of us are gathering to discuss a movie: I Can Only Imagine. Everyone is welcome.
This is a link to watch for free on YouTube:
To rent or buy this movie, go to:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/i-can-only-imagine/8d6kgwxp5mt3?activetab=pivot%maoverviewtab
This movie is also on Netflix right now. People who wish can sign up for a free trial, and cancel after the free trial.
Here is the link to join in the discussion, March 28, 7pm (please hold on to these coordinates, so you can find them easily):
Topic: Movie Discussion: “I Can Only Imagine”
Time: March 28, 2021 7:00 PM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88525826039?pwd=QlFvQitwcFhqb0N1cFJtUXNqRlIxdz09
Meeting ID: 885 2582 6039
Passcode: 659789
On-line Services
Of course, there are a wide variety of on-line worship services being offered, within the diocese, and around the world. Diocesan and Deanery services in this upcoming week:
- Luke’s Cathedral in The Soo is offering a Palm Sunday service on its Facebook page.
- The Archbishop is offering devotions periodically morning and evening on her Facebook page.
- In this Deanery, the weekly services will continue to be offered on Sunday mornings (available on St. Brice’s website).
- This coming week, Holy Week, there will be a quiet on-line evening service of Compline on Tuesday evening, led by one of the clergy, and a service of Evening Prayer (led by a layreader in the Deanery) on Thursday evening.
However, I’d really like to focus on Easter weekend.
- Maundy Thursday
- Good Friday (Meditation on Jesus’ Seven Last Words on the Cross)
- Easter Eve
- Easter Morning
To access these services, go to the St. Brice’s website, Worship tab: https://www.stbriceschurch.com/wordpress/?page_id=258
Good Friday, North Bay ecumenical service
St. Brice’s is one of a number of local churches who work together to offer a worship service on Good Friday (this year, April 2). Information about how to attend is shown on the banner below. This worship time is intended particularly for people who might not presently consider themselves Christians, but who want to consider the claims of Christ.
Office Coordinator
Parishioners know that we have been advertising for the position of an office coordinator. I’m very pleased to let you know that Diane McCaskill will be taking this position. This coming week, Diane will be in the office on Thursday afternoon, 1:30-3:30pm. The following week and thereafter, Diane will customarily be in the office on Tuesday afternoons, 1:30-3:30pm, and Thursday mornings, 10:00am-noon.
Stained Glass Windows
In consultation with our broker, the Advisory Board has decided to insure the Church’s stained glass windows separately this year (the premium will be about $150 more). We are exploring getting exterior coverings to protect some or all of these windows, and will reassess this coverage early in 2021. This is part of a larger project to ensure that our insurance coverage is adequate but not excessive for all of the property and contents.
Youth Outreach
I sincerely have much to be grateful for while serving at St. Brice’s. I think it’s fair to write, though, that most of us who are active in parish life are on the mature side of 29 years of age. I would like to strengthen our ministry among youth and young adults. I have been giving this some thought. At the Board meeting last night, we proposed undertaking some on-line consultation, to help better understand what people’s needs are, and how we might better engage with these needs. I will keep you posted as this initiative progresses.
Parish Hall Re-roofing Project
We are enormously grateful for people’s generous response in contributing to the job of re-roofing the parish hall. We expect that this job will be done at the end of May or early June. What has been contributed financially exceeds the costs to get the job done. Our plan is wait until we receive and pay the bill. Then, as we previously committed, the remainder of the donations will be shared equally among other property needs and missions which the parish supports.
Financial Update
While there were a lot of wonderful donations for the parish hall roof, overall donations to our regular ministry and mission items diminished this past month. We respectfully ask parishioners to stop donating toward the parish hall roof project, and to direct our donations towards the general fund. (Costs such as my stipend or the hydro bill aren’t as dramatic as seeing a new roof, but are still needed to do the Lord’s work in North Bay.)
These newsletters are brief summaries of what is taking place. You continue to be in my prayers regularly, and I am grateful for your prayers as well. To God be all the glory! I very much look forward to seeing as many of you as I can, in person, in the near future.
In Christ,
Peter Armstrong