Updated COVID-19 restrictions
TO: Clergy, wardens, lay readers, and lay pastoral visitors
FROM: Bishop Bruce Myers
DATE: Thursday 7 January 2021
RE: Updated COVID-19 restrictions
On January 6 the Quebec government announced a new set of measures aimed at stemming the ongoing spread of COVID-19 in the province. Some of these measures will have a direct impact on the activities of our churches.
WORSHIP SERVICES - In-person worship services in all churches of the diocese are suspended between January 9 and February 8. Congregations are encouraged to provide online services during this time, or to invite worshippers to join the service of home prayers offered on the diocesan Facebook page each Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. EST.
FUNERALS – The government is making an exception for funeral services, which may still take place in church buildings, but with a maximum of 25 people in the congregation. This number does not include clergy, funeral home workers, or others assisting with the service. Masks should be worn throughout the service and individuals from different households should maintain a distance of two metres from each other. The names and contact details of everyone who attends a funeral must be recorded for the purposes of contact tracing. Food and beverages must not be served after the funeral service.
PASTORAL VISITING – In-person pastoral visiting—whether at a hospital, care home, or an individual’s residence—is prohibited during this lockdown period. However, you are encouraged to use other means, such as the internet and telephone, to keep in touch with the members of your community during this new and intensified period of physical isolation.
HALL RENTALS – The rental of parish halls and other such spaces is prohibited during this lockdown period, unless the organization renting the space falls under one of the categories for which the provincial government has made an exception, such as community organizations.
As ever, if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to be in touch with either myself (bmyers@quebec.anglican.ca) or Archdeacon Edward Simonton (esimonton@quebec.anglican.ca). Stay safe and well, and pray that these measures may have their desired effect.
FROM: Bishop Bruce Myers
DATE: Thursday 7 January 2021
RE: Updated COVID-19 restrictions
On January 6 the Quebec government announced a new set of measures aimed at stemming the ongoing spread of COVID-19 in the province. Some of these measures will have a direct impact on the activities of our churches.
WORSHIP SERVICES - In-person worship services in all churches of the diocese are suspended between January 9 and February 8. Congregations are encouraged to provide online services during this time, or to invite worshippers to join the service of home prayers offered on the diocesan Facebook page each Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. EST.
FUNERALS – The government is making an exception for funeral services, which may still take place in church buildings, but with a maximum of 25 people in the congregation. This number does not include clergy, funeral home workers, or others assisting with the service. Masks should be worn throughout the service and individuals from different households should maintain a distance of two metres from each other. The names and contact details of everyone who attends a funeral must be recorded for the purposes of contact tracing. Food and beverages must not be served after the funeral service.
PASTORAL VISITING – In-person pastoral visiting—whether at a hospital, care home, or an individual’s residence—is prohibited during this lockdown period. However, you are encouraged to use other means, such as the internet and telephone, to keep in touch with the members of your community during this new and intensified period of physical isolation.
HALL RENTALS – The rental of parish halls and other such spaces is prohibited during this lockdown period, unless the organization renting the space falls under one of the categories for which the provincial government has made an exception, such as community organizations.
As ever, if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to be in touch with either myself (bmyers@quebec.anglican.ca) or Archdeacon Edward Simonton (esimonton@quebec.anglican.ca). Stay safe and well, and pray that these measures may have their desired effect.