“May you live in interesting times” is a phrase which many consider a curse which has its roots in Yorkshire or China, or no one knows for sure where. Regardless of its origin, it seems to fit today as I write this in the early days of January 2021. Here in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island we are probably having the lowest outbreaks of Covid-19 in the industrialized world. Vaccinations are slowly rolling out and God willing we should all be vaccinated in this calendar year, at least those of us who wish to be vaccinated. Employees are working from home and the whole dynamic of doing business has changed, probably for ever. Even family time has changed, with travel bans and quarantine requirements dictating who could join us for Christmas and New Years celebrations. I missed attending the Bishops New Years Day service and Levee this year for the first time in a very long time.
“May you live in interesting times” is a phrase which may consider a curse which has its roots in Yorkshire or China, or no one knows for sure where. Regardless of its origin, it seems to fit today.
All churches had to temporarily suspend their activities, and find new ways to reach out to congregations and the most vulnerable. Many churches established new services online using a variety of platforms on social media such as Facebook and YouTube Some churches have found positive effects of “going online” as an opportunity for creativity and the ability to reach audiences outside of the usual physical gatherings.
Others, because of poor internet connectivity and other technical reasons were disconnected from their church community. With mandated physical distancing, clergy have found it challenging to connect with the elderly and people in remote areas. Long time parishioners who would never dream of missing church on Sunday are now isolated and missing their church family.
Currently we are able to have services with decreased numbers and safe guards in place. It’s wonderful to be able to see our church family again!
The economic impact in many parishes is changing the face of the church and congregations. Parishioners are losing their livelihood, and church giving’s are declining. Organists have lost their jobs or had hours seriously reduced.
A positive I have seen is the continued use of platforms such as “Zoom” to offer virtual programs. I recognize this is not everyone’s favourite way of meeting, but I have seen robust numbers of people attending such things as Christian Meditation, the popular “Pray as you can” series, virtual check ins and coffee hours. I pray Ignatius’ First Spiritual Exercises with a group regularly and it is remarkable how well the technology lends itself to this program.
Our ministry to our neighbours has changed as well. We continue to feed the hungry, cloth the poor and house the homeless, although in different ways. With a limited crew we prepare and serve meals at the soup kitchen and the shelters. New clothing is being supplied where possible, and the shelters continue to receive money and goods to ease their burden. I note that as of December 29th, 2020 there were four hundred eighty nine homeless people in the HRM alone. The last figures I can find for Sydney is one hundred fifteen homeless, and Charlottetown one hundred eighteen. I suspect this is just the tip of the iceberg in our diocese. As our lord said “you will always have the poor with you”.
Interesting times indeed! We need to continue to find ways to keep our church going and to practice our many and varied ministries. Take a few minutes this week to reach out to someone and let them know that you care, and don’t be depressed by this current state of affairs.
Remember, God is with us!
