Anyone who has coordinated events in the past 20 months has heard words like “pivot” or “hybrid” more times than they want to recall – these feel like business jargon. How many “Zoom” meetings or family gatherings have you participated in over the past year-and-a-half? Some of us have felt pushed, cajoled, and yes, even sometimes excited, to learn the lessons that businesses learned long before we knew the word “COVID”. It is about adapting, being resourceful – and adapting we did at St. Andrew’s, frequently. We have been blending and partnering in creative ways, making choices we never would have considered prior to 2020.

Now, when I say “we”, you might think that this is an elite team (like Navy Seals or our C.A.F. Snowbirds) of leaders making grand decisions in times of crisis. The truth is, though, that “we” includes you, me, and every person who feels that we have a stake in the flourishing of God’s Vision for St. Andrew’s United Church, in downtown Sudbury. I started adding “… in downtown Sudbury” talking about St. Andrew’s with the onset of live streaming, welcoming worshippers from across Ontario, and the world – ask Mallon, our technology genius, about his family members in Ghana witnessing little Roger’s baptism! This is a new world, and it is exciting ministry that we are called to, together. This is modern-day discipleship.

Christian Biblical stories offer a glimpse into the “job description” of a disciple, a follower of Jesus in our modern time. Grounded in Gratitude, Built Up by strong Relationships, and Strengthened as we are reminded that we each have what we need to answer the call to discipleship. We don’t just have the bare minimum; Abundance is given us by our Creator, as illustrated in the Gospel story of Jesus answering great need by multiplying loaves and fishes to feed thousands! (see Mathew 14, Mark 6, & John 6). We celebrate God’s promise to not just give us “enough”, but an abundance, even in times of crisis.

This Fall 2021 Stewardship Program will be an opportunity to celebrate Gratitude, Strong Relationships, and the Abundance are ours and share. In pandemic times, we have had to let go of many things, loved ones and ways of connecting. We grieve this loss. But, out of this pandemic crucible, we have recognized our strength, appreciated more profoundly our relationships, and discovered resiliency in and around us as we have never seen before.

Each year around this time, we all are invited to prayerfully take stock of all the ministries of St. Andrew’s, and to ask the question: What does St. Andrew’s mean to me? What does Worship, the Reaching Out to our most vulnerable members and the downtown community, and the work that Mission & Service does on our behalf around the globe mean to me? This is a “season” (Ecclesiastes 3) to be reminded how blessed we are. This is a time to be captivated by what God’s dream is for you, for me, for us. What might God be up to? Join as we discover together. Thank you so much!

(Rev.) Dave Le Grand
Minister St. Andrew’s United Church (Sudbury)

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Effective Sunday November 21/21, St. Andrew’s United Church is revising our protocols for attending in-person Sunday worship in the sanctuary.

The following list of precautionary protocols has been revised in keeping with current best practices recommended by local and provincial public health authorities and the United Church of Canada.

For the safety and well-being of everyone, all staff, volunteers and attendees age 12 and older will be required to provide one of the following certifications in order to be able to attend in-person worship:
a) Proof of double vaccination against COVID-19, with personal identification.
b) A medical exemption letter signed by a medical practitioner, with personal ID.
c) Written proof of a negative PCR or Rapid Antigen Test within the past 48 hours, with personal ID. Double vaccination against COVID-19 is strongly recommended.

 All attendees, including children, will be screened upon arrival. Admittance will be denied to anyone who:
o Is currently exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19
o Has come in close contact with a person with COVID-19 symptoms in the past 14 days
o Has travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days
 Physically distanced seating (singles, couples, groups of three or more) is available for up to 70 people.
 Individuals who wish not to appear on camera may sit at the back right-hand side of the sanctuary
 In accordance with Greater Sudbury health regulations, attendees are required to wear masks upon arrival and at all times inside the building – masks will be available for those who forget their own
 Everyone is required to sanitize their hands upon entering the building – hand sanitizer will be readily available at several stations and in the washrooms
 Attendees are required to provide their name and phone number at our sign-in table, for the purposes of contact tracing. Attendees will be notified if anyone attending one of our services is suspected/confirmed to have COVID-19. Attendance lists will be destroyed 14 days after each service.
 Attendees must maintain physical distance – shaking hands and other physical contact is not permitted
 After signing in, attendees may line up at the sanctuary entrance, maintaining appropriate physical distance until you are guided to appropriate seating
 Before taking your seat, you are invited to place your offering in the basket on a table to your right
 The children’s area will not be available – children will be seated with their family group
 Humming underneath your mask is permitted. Only the music director and/or designated soloist may sing without a mask from behind the protective plexiglass shield.
 Paper bulletins will not be distributed – all elements of the order of service will be projected
 A copy of the service content will be emailed to participants ahead of time – you may bring your own copies if you wish, in print or digital form. Please take any paper with you when you leave
 All services will be “no contact” for communion, passing of the peace, offerings, etc.
 The post-service Zoom fellowship time will continue to be held on Sunday evenings at 7pm.

We are also livestreaming our services every Sunday. This provides our congregation with three options:
a) Attend worship in-person on Sunday morning at 10:30 am
b) Watch the livestreamed service at home at 10:30 am on our YouTube channel
c) Watch the recorded service on our YouTube channel (posted soon after the end of each service)

If you have any questions about these protocols, please contact either St. Andrew’s Council Co-Chair, Phil Thurston or Ralph McIntosh.

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