Happy mid-summer dear friends! As the pandemic begins to recede, and rules and health restrictions are lifting, the St. John's Church Board has continued to plan and prepare for when we can be together in community and in worship together again.
A team of volunteers has been into the building to look at material needs, spacing, and sanctuary set up. During our time of shutdown, the whole interior of the building has been re-painted and awaits our presence to fully enliven the space! How wonderful it will be to gather in community.
Beginning immediately, the Keeping the Lights On Team, along with our Office Administrator will be inviting our user groups back into the space. Small group meetings have been occurring in the church already over the last weeks.
COVID regulations have now been replaced by Public Health Guidelines for Communicable Diseases Protocols. These are listed below for our church and will be in use for the foreseeable future.
St. John’s Sunshine Coast United Church
- Self assessment for symptoms of a communicable disease (including COVID-19) must be performed prior to entering the church building for any purpose. If symptoms are present, attendance at the building must be avoided.
- Hand cleaning using supplies provided is required upon entrance. All attendees are reminded to wash or sanitize their hands regularly, and to cover coughs and sneezes.
- We support maintenance of a clean environment by regular cleaning.
- We ensure building ventilation by opening windows/doors.
- We support vaccination for vaccine-preventable conditions to the extent that you are able.
- SJUC addition – For your well-being and to protect vulnerable others who are part of our community, we recommend and encourage the wearing of masks within the building, and that some consideration be given to social distancing.
As Jamie will be on vacation for several weeks in August, we are aiming to begin in-person Sunday morning worship times from September 12th forward.
Here are the plans for Sundays on-line worship in August:
- Aug. 1 at 10:30 am – Jamie (virtual) with communion
- Aug. 8 at 10:30 am – Sandi Parker (virtual)
- Aug. 15, 22, 29 at 10 am – Virtual livestream worship with Highlands United. Weekly links will be shared via the “What’s Happening” e-newsletter. A coffee / social time via Zoom for the St. John’s Community, hosted by our own members, will follow each Highlands service - an opportunity for sharing community news, prayer requests, and care for one another.
In another lovely opportunity for in-person gathering, Donna Currie will offer Wednesday Worship in August at 10:30 am in the sanctuary on Aug. 11, 18, 25 & Sept. 1
“Come and Find a Quiet Centre – a time to gently reconnect to the sacred space of the sanctuary of St. John’s”.
At first, attendance will be limited to 20 people as we get used to managing the flow of people in this new way of being together. Please call the church (604-885-9822) to register by Tuesday 3 pm, and be aware of the health guidelines written above.
Donna will update the invitation weekly with an insert in ‘What’s Happening’.
Thank you Donna for leading this time of precious re-connection!
The Board is now taking steps to acquire the equipment and training to ensure that our worship in the church building will also be available to those who chose to continue to join us by Zoom. In September, our worship times will be both in-person and on-line, as we know there are folks who are not yet ready to come back into the building, and we want to honour this, create possibilities for full inclusion of our beloved community, and be responsible around vulnerable health concerns.
The St. John's Church Board believes that taking the process slowly, mindfully, and faithfully will serve us all best, and allow us to continue to attend to this dynamic situation.
Thank you for your patience, support and prayers.
Dianne Baker, Board Chair